How to use herbs safely

Most popular medicinal herbs, including all the herbs discussed in this course, are reasonably safe for most people most of the time when taken in recommended amounts. But remember herbs do contain pharmacologically active compounds that have drugs effects on the body when taken in medicinal doses. They therefore can potentially cause harm – allergic reactions, side effects, possible fetal injury, interactions with other herbs and drugs, and death.

Overall, herbs are safer than drugs, but they are potent medicine, and anyone who uses them should do so cautiously and responsibly. Fortunately you don’t need to be a master herbalist to use medicinal herbs safely. All you need is a little information and some common sense.

Before you take any herb, read up on it Don’t just listen to friends and relatives. Do your own research. The information in this course is a good starting point. Take any warnings seriously. When in doubt about the appropriateness of the herb for your condition, don’t use it. Limit your use to those herbs that are widely recommended in popular herb books.

Don’t take herb identity for granted Only buy herbs and herb products that identify the herb by its Latin binomial name – that is, genus and species. For example, thyme’s binomial name is Thymus vulgaris. You will learn more about botanical names in the next section of this lesson.

Stick with the recommended dosage, and never exceed it. Some people assume that if a little herb is good, more must be better. Wrong. Herbal dosage recommendations are based on centuries of clinical experience and, often, scientific research.

If you are over age 65, start with a low dose. As we grow older, we become more sensitive to medicinal herbs and drug effects. In addition, older people often take other medications. You don’t want to risk adverse herb-drug interactions. Rather increase the dose gradually. You will study dosages in depth later on in this course.

Respect your individuality We are all different. You may be allergic to one or more herbs or you may develop other unusual reactions. Stay alert for any adverse reactions such as abdominal upset, diarrhoea, itching, rash, headache – anything out of the ordinary. If you notice any unusual symptoms that appear to be linked to the herb, stop taking it and discuss your reaction(s) with your health care provider.

Even if you are not allergic, you may still be unusually sensitive to one or more medicinal herbs. Doctors refer to this as an idiopathic reaction. Idiopathic means "for unknown reasons" – in other words just one of those things. Out of the blue, you may react badly to an herb that’s generally considered safe. It happens.

If you are pregnant or nursing, use herbs with caution. It is a persistent medical principal that one should refrain from giving medicines to a pregnant woman unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately, the issues are less worrisome for the use of herbal remedies than they are for conventional drugs. Nevertheless, herbalists still refrain from medicating where possible, and then they prefer herbs that are positively vetted as good. Again, do your research.

Don’t give herbal remedies to children under age 2 While some herbalists contend that herbal remedies are okay for children 6 months and older, we take a more conservative position in this course. Use your discretion and apply the recommendations discussed in the lesson on dosages.

Alfalfa - High in vitamin K, A, D and minerals. Good for conditioning and strengthening the hair.

Althea Root - Originally used to provide marshmallow with its pillowy consistency. Althea is an extract that softens and soothes.

Apricot - A skin softener and toner, apricot acts as a brilliantine adding sheen without an oily film.

Birch Bark - American Indians used birch bark extensively for many purposes, it acts as a tonic, refreshes the skin and has anti - inflammatory qualities.

Bladderwrack - Beneficial to scalp.

Borage - An emollient herb that has a cooling and soothing effect, allaying irritation.

Chamomile - A daisy - like plant. Extract from its white and yellow heads impart luster. An essential source of vital minerals for hair.

Cinnamon Bark - One of the spices that spurred world exploration, cinnamon bark is a natural astringent known to suspend excess oil on oily skin or scalp.

Clove - An antiseptic, flavoring and stimulant. It is up to 85% eugenol - regarded as an excellent water absorber.

Clover Blossom - Beneficial in the treatment of acne.

Coltsfoot - A healing herb with emollient properties that is soothing to the scalp.

Comfrey Root - Comfrey Root extract is rich in allantoin, known for its ability to heal wounds and stimulate the growth of healthy tissue.

Eucalyptus - Antiseptic, cooling and stimulating, eucalyptus oil has blood stimulation properties, beneficial for the treatment of hair loss.

Horsetail - Beneficial for the treatment of acne, horsetail has a high silica content providing texture.

Lavender - Its name derived from the Latin verb "to wash" lavender is a relaxing, cleansing herb that is also a circulation stimulant.

Lemongrass - Used for sheen and cleansing. Also used as an elasticizer in hairsprays.

Lichen Extract - Highly concentrated extract of alpine linchen (usnea barbata). It is a bactericide, fungicide and is also effective against yeast. Used in deodorants, foot care products, mouth hygiene, and antimicrobial washes.

Matricaria - Also known as Chamomile

Nettle - Rich in minerals and plant hormones, nettle extract is cleansing and astringent. Used in folk medicine to stimulate hair growth, it also acts as a glossifier.

Oat - Extract of oat has cleansing and soothing properties.

Orange Flower - Used for emmoliency and to impart luster.

Parsley - Infusions of parsley are known to be cleansing and soothing also having high vitamin and mineral content.

Peppermint - Emolient herb that is astringent, stimulating, cleansing, restorative and healing.

Raspberry - Stimulating and astringent.

Rose - Rose water has been used as early as the tenth century for its cleansing and astringent benefits.

Rosemary - Very rich in natural minerals, rosemary is soothing, cleansing, stimulating and astringent. It also brightens and adds high gloss to the hair.

Safflower - Safflower oil is an unsaturated vegetable oil derived from safflower. It is used for its moisturizing and softening properties.

Sage - Calming, cleansing, soothing and astringent, sage was associated with longevity in ancient times.

Slippery Elm - Used for its emollient properties.

Sweet Almond Oil - A natural "non - oily" oil that adds sheen.

Thyme - A calming cleanser, thyme tones and refreshes while also having antiseptic benefits.

Wheat Germ Oil - An oily extract from wheat germ that is very rich in natural vitamin E.

Witch Hazel - Used as an astringent, and an aid in setting hair.

Yarrow - An extract for cleansing and astringency.