The Benefits of Herbal Medicine One of the greatest benefits of herbal medicine is that it gives us the ability to become more self-reliant. Feeling that we have choices in how we care for ourselves and our families, and that we ourselves can play a central role in treatment and preventive medicine, can help us build a positive attitude of empowerment. With very little effort, time, or money, we can grow our own herbs, make our own medicines, and care for our families and ourselves, much as people have been doing for millennia. Herbalism is truly an accessible, inexpensive, natural, gentle, and, most importantly, effective system of healing. Herbs are among the safest medicines available. This does not mean that there are no herbs with harmful side effects. There are, but they are an isolated group, and most of them are unavailable commercially. Occasionally an herb will stimulate an idiosyncratic, or individual, reaction in a person. This doesn’t mean
the herb is toxic; it’s just a poor choice for that particular individual. Strawberries, a perfectly delicious fruit, are a sweet treat for some and a noxious poison for others. Herbs are also an inexpensive way to boost your health. Herbal supplements for sale in a natural foods store are, capsule by capsule, much less expensive than pharmaceuticals. And herbal medicine becomes really cost effective and inexpensive when you plant some herbs, don an apron, and brew up your own remedies. You’ll be surprised to discover how easy, inexpensive, and fun it is to make your own salves, tinctures, syrups, capsules, and teas, especially if you’re making them from herbs you’ve grown yourself! Begin by making simple medicines for coughs, colds, cuts, infections, and sprains, and you’ll find they not only work wonderfully but can also cut the cost of family health care, in the same way that growing your own vegetables helps reduce your grocery bills.
A MANTRA FOR HOME HEALTH CARE I am my own healer. I have a radiant voice within that guides me. I can make decisions for myself. I can rely on others as needed, but at my discretion. It is my body, my health, my balance, and my responsibility to make right choices for myself. Right choices include working with competent health-care professionals when necessary, allowing friends and family to help as needed, and, above all, being true to my beliefs, with the wisdom and willingness to change as part of the path of healing.
| welcome to the wonderful world of medicinal herbs
Cayenne
/ Capsicum annuum (and related species)
Because of its legendary curative properties, its exciting flavor, and its magical ability to sustain a sense of well-being, cayenne is one of my favorite herbs for both medicinal and culinary purposes. An herb supreme for warming the system, cayenne gets blood circulating through cold fingers, toes, and other extremities and gives an overall sense of warmth. It’s an excellent analgesic, often used topically to relieve pain. And no herb works better to relieve congestion. I couldn’t imagine getting through a winter without it.
Cayenne is fairly easy to grow. An annual, it does best with a long growing season, warm weather, fertile soil, and full sun. But it’s tolerant. It thrives even in my own northern Vermont, which is perhaps less well suited for growing cayenne than other places, and after a good summer (more sunshine than rain) we’re able to harvest a host of little bright red chiles.
MEDICINAL USES Cayenne is a warming circulatory stimulant, a safe and effective tonic for the heart, and an excellent digestive aid. One of its active ingredients, capsaicin, stimulates circulation throughout the body and assists in digestion by stimulating the release of both saliva and stomach enzymes. Capsaicin also signals the brain to release endorphins, the body’s “feel-good” hormones. And capsaicin has proved so effective as a topical pain reliever for arthritis, bursitis, and muscle and joint aches that it’s the active ingredient in several over-the-counter pain-relief creams. Rich in vitamins A and C, cayenne can aid and support the immune system, which is one of the reasons it’s so useful in formulas for colds and flus. Cayenne also has a long history of use as a heart herb. Dr. John Christopher, a well-known and much-beloved herbalist of the mid-twentieth century, recommended it both as first aid for a heart attack and as a tonic to strengthen the heart. Recent scientific studies done in the United States and India show that cayenne lowers cholesterol and may help reduce the severity of heart disease.
Part used Only the fruit is edible and medicinal. As is the case for other members of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, to which cayenne belongs, the leaves, stems, and flowers can be toxic.
Key constituents Capsaicin, carotenoids, vitamin C, flavonoids, steroidal saponins, volatile oils
Safety factor s Cayenne, though perfectly safe, needs a warning sign: This herb is hot! If for no other reason, you should use it cautiously. When handled directly, compounds in the chile can burn the skin, especially for those who have fair or sensitive skin; if that’s the case for you, wear gloves when working with cayenne. Don’t touch your eyes after handling cayenne, as it will sting. Cayenne is a strong stimulant and can cause stomach convulsions if taken in large amounts. The most important thing is to use appropriate dosages. Small amounts go a long way with this herb.
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GROWING CAYENNE
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Cold Care Capsules One of my favorite recipes for keeping a cold at bay or getting over one more quickly, these Cold Care Capsules are easy to make but pack a big punch. Take the half hour or so that’s required to make a batch, and keep it on hand for the cold season. You can find gelatin or vegetable capsules at most herb shops and natural foods stores, and some pharmacies. »»
1 part echinacea root powder
»»
1 part goldenseal root powder (organically cultivated)
50 to 75 capsules, a winter’s worth for most families. Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
»» ½ part mar sh
mallow root powder
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¼–½ part cayenne powder (depending on your heattoler ance level)
»» “00” gelatin or vegetable
capsules
To make the capsules:
Mix the powders together in a small bowl. Scoop the powder into each end of a capsule, packing tight, and recap. It takes only a few minutes to cap
To use:
At the first sign of a cold or flu coming on, take 2 capsules every 2 to 3 hours until the symptoms subside, or up to 9 capsules a day. This is a high dose and should not be continued for longer than 2 to 3 days, at which time you should decrease the dose to 2 capsules three times a day (the normal adult dose for most herbal capsules; see pages 46–47 for further information on appropriate dosages).
THE CAPSULE MACHINE
I
f you plan to make a lot of capsules, a handy little device called the Capsule Machine will shorten the job and might be a worthy investment (it runs about $15). It’s made by a company called Capsule Connection and is available from many herb shops and online.
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