INTRODUCTION TO HERBS
By Dr. Myles H. Bader

The history of herbs dates back to 2500 B.C. Information found in ancient clay tablets left by the Sumerians revealed that they used herbs. The Egyptians during the period from 1600 B.C. used many herbs for health, as did the Greeks and Hebrews.

The earliest record of herbs that were used listed such herbs as wormwood, elderberry, hemlock, cinnamon, mustard, and rhubarb to name just a few. Books on herbs and their uses were mostly medicinal and date back to 1530.

Herbology has only recently come to the attention of the general public; mainly by people looking for a more natural remedy for a particular illness instead of pharmaceuticals which all have side effects. Unless abused herbs rarely have negative side effects.

Pharmaceuticals, however, do have a more significant track record when it comes to providing a curative effect on a specific illness or disease, and in many cases work very effectively. Herbs on the other hand do have some curative powers, but do not necessarily work on all individuals with the same positive effects.

There is no doubt that herb’s were the first medicinals ever used, mainly because there was no other type of medication. It is still recommended that if you are suffering, from an illness you see your family physician and abide by his findings and prescribed medication. This chapter will contain information regarding herbs and their uses as a healing agent, but is not meant to suggest their use in place of prescribed medications.

There are, however, many herbs that have no equivalent pharmaceutical counterpart and are still in use today and many have a more positive effect than many of the over-the-counter remedies. Since herbs cannot be patented there is no incentive for drug companies to have any interest in them.

Herbs are mainly derived from plants, are for the most part a natural food and need no FDA approval. There are dangerous herbs that affect the body in a negative manner; some of these have been mentioned in the chapter on teas. Herbs may be taken in teas, capsules, tinctures used in poltices, as aromatics or chewed.

If you do decide to use herbs, it would be wise to purchase any number of books on the subject and only use the herbs in the way they are recommended. Abuse of certain herbs can cause permanent damage to the body. Most herbal formulas or combinations are to be used over a period of time and results will not be seen instantly.

The medicinal uses for the following herbs are those that have been used historically and not the recommendations of the author or his representatives. The author and the publisher assume no responsibility for use of the following information. The information has been taken from a number of the best references available on herbs.

USES OF HERBS

Compress
A soft cloth or towel should be soaked in a solution containing the desired herbs, then applied to the irritated or injured area. The temperature should be between 75-850 F. for best results.

Decoction
This is a tea or herbal beverage produced from a part of a plant. Do not boil a decoction; only simmer it before use. The tea should be sipped slowly over a 20-minute period.

Essential Oils
The preferred method of essential oil extraction is by cold extraction and distillation. Essential oils are rarely used at full strength and are mixed with a natural cold-pressed oil or filtered water and used as a tea, mouthwash, douche or inhalant. They may also be used on irritated skin, burns or abrasions.

Infusion
A part of the plant is placed in very hot water and steeped (never boiled) for 4-5 minutes. Boiling may injure the active ingredients in the herb.

Poltice
A single herb or combination of herbs are warmed; placed on a soft piece of cloth and applied externally to the injured area. A poltice may be left on for a few minutes up to 7-8 hours. They are used to reduce inflammation, speed up the healing process or relieve pain. The poltice should be changed at regular intervals as it cools.

Tinctures
Tinctures contain approximately a 50% alcohol base mixed with filtered water. The herbs are added to this base.