There is a special beauty to herbs. We may know many of them as unassuming garden plants, but their use is intertwined with human history. For thousands of years they have provided people with fragrance, taste, and healing. My interest in herbs has affected several aspects of my life—cooking, gardening, and the desire for natural healing—which has led to an interest in essential oils. Before going further, I must explain that I am not a trained herbalist nor am I certified through any program or school. I am like the many thousands throughout the ages who have gone before me to learn from others, observe, and study on my own. I grew up in a household where the first line of defense against illness or discomfort and the first aid rendered after injury came from the kitchen or my grandmother’s garden. While commercial products eventually made their way into the medicine cabinet (“new” and “convenient” were the buzzwords of the early 1960s), my mother often drifted back to remedies she knew as a child. Because of that, I became familiar with them, too. However, while I consider herbs comforting, my preference for herbal remedies goes beyond childhood memories. Like many people today, I think nature offers a better way of dealing with common, basic health issues, and I prefer not to use medicines made from synthetic chemicals.
As I mentioned, I am not an expert. I work with herbs and essential oils for my own purposes and not to provide treatment to other people or sell products. While it may seem odd that I have written a book on herbs and essential oils, my purpose is to encourage others to explore the healthful bounty of the plant kingdom without feeling intimidated. After all, our ancestors were not “herbologists,” they simply used the knowledge that was handed down through generations and did what they needed to do to relieve discomfort and stay healthy. That said, we must keep in mind that herbs are powerful and they must be used properly.
Like many books about herbs and healing remedies, details on how to grow and prepare them for use is also included here. However, I have veered onto my own path by integrating information on essential oils. After all, the history of essential oils is intertwined with that of herbal medicine. While essential oils require a great deal of plant material and few of us have the space to grow enough or the equipment to distill it, I have included them because they expand and enhance our herbal repertoire.
General Precautions
My purpose for writing this book is to encourage others to explore the health benefits of herbs without feeling intimidated, however, working with herbal remedies must be done with knowledge and common sense. Although herbs and essential oils are natural alternatives to synthetic, chemical-based remedies, they must be used with safety in mind. Herbs are powerful healers, but they can be harmful when not used properly.
If you have not used an herbal remedy before, start with a small amount to make sure you do not have an adverse reaction. If you have any sign of nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, or headache discontinue use immediately. Herbal remedies are not recommended for internal use by children younger than two years old, and when given to an older child they should be diluted. Women who are pregnant or nursing must be sure to follow precautions carefully and are advised to consult their physician or specialist first. Anyone taking medications should also consult his or her doctor before using herbs, as they can interact with drugs.
In addition, it is important to work with your doctor when problems are prolonged or if they escalate. Luckily today more physicians are open to “alternative” treatments and working with their patients rather than dictating to them. While it may take time to find such a doctor, it is worth the effort.
How to Use This Book
Part 1 of this book provides details for creating and maintaining an apothecary garden as well as information for growing herbs in containers on a porch or a windowsill. If you have not gardened before, this part of the book will tell you how to plan your garden, the tools you’ll need, how to get it started, and what you will need to be comfortable while working outside. In addition to general maintenance, you will learn what you need to do to tuck your plants in for the winter.
Part 2 provides instructions on how to harvest and preserve the parts of plants that you will need to create your own remedies. It is also a guide for making and using foundation mixtures such as infusions, decoctions, and tinctures. In addition, it provides details on how to make and use other forms of remedies, many of which are based on the foundation mixtures. You will also learn the basics about essential and carrier oils.
Part 3 of this book is an encyclopedic listing of twenty-eight herbs, which serves as a reference for their use as remedies. Each entry includes historical information about the plant, medicinal uses and recipes, along with precautions and contraindications. Information on using the essential oil is also included. For readers interested in gardening, there is a plant description with notes on growing it and harvesting its roots, stems, seeds, or flowers. Of course, each listing includes the plant’s scientific name.
In conjunction with Part 3, APPENDIX A is a listing of ailments and conditions that provides a convenient cross-reference of remedies and herbs. APPENDIX B contains measurement equivalents to help you determine the easiest way to measure ingredients for your preparations.
Even if you have been gardening for years and/or making your own remedies, this book will serve as a handy reference for both herbs and essential oils to support your healing and good health.