Ten Cardinal Rules Of Herb Usage

Rule 1 - NEVER take herbs in any form at the same time you take prescription or over-the-counter medications. The two will always be incompatible with each other. Keep them separate and take apart from each other by at least 4-5 hours.

Rule 2 - If any herb is causing an unpleasant side effect of extreme proportions, DISCONTINUE IMMEDIATELY until the problem can be explained or rectified somehow. Remember that what may pass for a so-called "healing" or "cleansing crisis" could, in fact, be life threatening. "When in doubt do without."

Rule 3 - Learn to educate yourself on herbs before using them. A medical doctor isn't always the best person to consult for information about herbs, nor is a pharmacist. Neither of them has had any specific training in that area. You need to consult with a professional herbalist, homeopathic or naturopathic doctor, folk healer, or any similar person skilled in the medicinal application of herbs. Or refer to books on medicinal plants that are reliable and trustworthy.

Rule 4 - When attempting self-treatment for any serious health problem. Several very important determinations must be made by the individual.

Rule 5 - Generally speaking, herbal medicines are just that medicine! As such, most herbs should only be used when body health is placed in some kind of jeopardy. Otherwise, most medicinal herbs should be left alone. There are however, some very qualified exceptions to this fundamental rule.

Exception 1 - Plants of definite nutritive value may be used on a fairly consistent basis, because their rich blend of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, enzymes, and hormones afford the body solid protection against potential illnesses. Such herbs might include: alfalfa, beet root, chamomile, dandelion, evening primrose, flaxseed, ginger, hops, kelp, marshmallow, nettle, onion, parsley, radish, stinging nettle, turmeric, watercress and yarrow.

Exception 2 - A lingering or lifetime illness that demands the constant use of certain herbs. Goldenseal for diabetes and garlic for yeast infection are two that come to mind. Sometimes a chronic condition that could merit consistent use of a particular herb is liable to do some potential harm to the body. The prolonged consumption of juniper berry, for example, for congestive heart failure or elevated serum cholesterol will irritate the kidneys.

Rule 6 - Some herbs are easily contradicted in particular health situations, making them quite undesirable. Cayenne pepper, garlic, goldenseal, and onion are strongly hypoglycemic and should never be taken individually by those suffering from low blood sugar or hypoglycemia; otherwise they may well have unexplained fatigue and mood swings. Juniper berry provokes uterine contractions, and in women who are pregnant this could cause an early abortion of the developing fetus. Therefore, a certain amount of caution needs to be exercised with regard to a small group of herbs for a few health problems.

Rule 7 - Know when and how much to take of individual herbs or herbal formulas. Because this is such a highly technical area involving a large number of qualifying factors, I've decided to simplify everything into an abbreviated version that I feel will nicely summarize all of the important points, omitting many things that are less significant. In order to do so, I chose to create four distinct categories into which all herbs and herbal formulas could somewhere be placed. And based on a quarter of a century of personal experience with these natural medicines, I've given an average recommended amount for each category. Dosages for children (ages 4-12) are usually one-half the amounts suggested for adults.

1. Energy/ Stamina: Single herbs and herbal formulas especially designed for this category are best taken on an empty stomach or in between meals, usually in the morning or early afternoon. Dosages: 2-4 capsules/tablets; 10-18 drops fluid extract/ tincture beneath the tongue; or 1 cup warm tea.

2. Vitality/ Nutrition: Single herbs and herbal formulas intended mainly for nutritional support are best taken with meals any time of the day or night. Dosages: 4-6 capsules/ tablets; 10-15 drops fluid extract/ tincture beneath the tongue or in a glass of water, three times daily; or 2 cups warm or cool tea.

3. Weight Loss/ Cleansing: Single herbs and herbal formulas intended to shed unwanted pounds and detoxify the system of impurities are best taken between meals or on an empty stomach, usually in the early morning or late afternoon. Dosages: 3-5 capsules/ tablets; 12 drops fluid extract/ tincture three times daily in a glass of water; or 1 cup lukewarm tea morning, noon, and night. CAUTION: Whenever taking any herbs for such weight loss/ cleansing purposes, always be sure to take an adequate vitamin-mineral supplement of some kind (up to 4 tablets daily) to insure replacement of nutrients lost.

4. Relief: Single herbs and herbal formulas designed to relieve pain are best taken in between meals, and periodically throughout the day (say every 4-6 hours or on an "as needed" basis). Dosages: 2 capsules/ tablets every 4 - 6 hours; 15 drops fluid extract/tincture beneath the tongue or in a glass of water, every 4 hours; or 1 cup warm or cool tea (depending on the situation) every 4 hours.

Rule 8 - The effectiveness of an herb depends upon a wide variety of factors, some of which are human-related and others environmentally based. Some include: Age, Sex, Diet, Ethnicity, Soil, Climate, Storage, etc

Rule 9 - When purchasing herbs, always keep in mind that the best values are often to be found in an herb shop, health food store, or nutrition center. There is no inflationary markup in costs as there always is in direct marketing companies, which have legions of sponsored distributors who must be paid monthly bonuses on what they sell. Eliminate such middlemen and your herbs immediately become more affordable!

Rule 10 - Fresh herbs and dried herbs have near equal advantages. The former contain essential oils which are lost in the drying process. On the other hand, were it not for the drying process, some herbs would still retain volatile components that can evoke drastic side effects.Fresh herbs grow moldy fast once they're picked, but dried herbs will keep for several years with proper storage.

This was taken from "Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs & Spices" by John Heinerman.