Transcript Herbalism A Tradition of Healing

Herbalism
A Tradition of Healing
Linda Diane Feldt
RPP, NCTMB, NC, RPE
Holistic Health Practitioner and Herbalist
Outline of this presentation
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Why herbology matters to conventional practitioners
Certification of
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Developing studies and evidence
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Nourishing
Medicinal
The plants
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Problems in design and standardizing plants
Parts of the plant, Harvesting, Preparations
Effects of herbs
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Herbs
Practitioners
Popular
Local
Case Studies
Herbology and Conventional
Medicine
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Herbs are one of the most popular forms of
CAM
Consumers both self treat and don’t report use
to medical professionals
Big money marketing is becoming a larger
influence
The history of herbal use is greater than 10,000
years - we have a lot to learn from experience
Certification
Confusing to everyone
Certification of Herbs
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Contents are unadulterated and properly
labeled
Manufacturing process is acceptable
Does not address potency, preparation, or if the
active plant part is harvested in the right
season.
Standards vary, may be random, samples may
be submitted, most agencies charge for
certification
Herbal certification
The bad
 Prone to consumer confusion
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Does not ensure potency
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Does not address processing or
preparation
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Does not address safety of the
herb
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Expense may prohibit good
companies from using
certification
The good
 Helpful to ensure
WYSIWYG
 Raising awareness of
importance of herbal quality
 Important to ensure Good
Manufacturing Practices
(GMP) are used
 Can address the real
problem of contamination
Reputable companies
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Harvest ethically
Employ herbalists and support professional associations
Provide access to information on
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where plants are harvested - avoid non US unless using TCM
company philosophy - focus on herbs or marketing?
control of product - don’t just repackage or rebottle from suppliers
Multi-level marketing deserves special scrutiny
Certification is helpful, but is only part of the whole picture.
Smaller companies will not be able to afford the process, less
popular herbs are less likely to be certified.
Examples of companies
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HerbPharm
Frontier
Pacific Botanicals
Trout Lake Botanicals
Scientific Botanicals
Phytopharmica
Naturopathic Formulary
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Thorne Research
Eclectic Institute
MediHerb
Bezweken
Women's Transition
Wise Women Herbals
And ??
Certification of Herbalists
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Traditional Healers
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Native American, Ayurvedic, Tibb, Unani,
Tibetan, etc
Traditional Chinese
Western Folkloric
Western Scientific
Earth-centered
Ethno-botanical
example categories from the American Herbalist Guild
Herbalism Training and
Education
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College and University courses
Electives within schools that teach wellness,
holistic health, bodywork or somatic practices
Apprenticeship programs both formal and
informal
Correspondence courses
Herbalism Training and
Education (cont.)
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Traditional initiation and training often
combined with religious/spiritual practices
Self taught
Promotional material and workshops provided
by manufacturers
Multi level marketing materials
Certification provided by herb manufacturers
Western Folkloric Tradition
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Promotes ethical
harvesting of plants
Uses whole parts of
plant, in season
Encourages consumer
involvement
Western Folkloric Tradition
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Emphasis is on nutritive
value of herbs
Priority given to local
plants, and what is
readily available
Uses a holistic
approach to support the
individual and systems
of the body
Western Folkloric Tradition
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Encourages sharing of
information, stories,
experiences, and
methods
Can easily work in a
supportive role with
conventional Western
Medicine
The Big Questions
Dangers, concerns, and evidence
Are Herbs Dangerous?
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Adulteration and contamination
Misuse, use in place of more effective therapies
Ineffective preparations
Self medication, misinformation,
Drug, surgery and therapy interactions
Minimal reporting of adverse events from herbs
Misdirection of resources esp. time and money
Poisonous plants
Combination herbal formulas difficult to track, learn
what is effective, what may create reactions
Long term use may mask disease serious illness
Common Concerns
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Dose and strength may vary with plant and
preparation method
No government control/approval
Anecdotal evidence lack of studies
Significant focus on using herbs for cleansing and
purifying, often based on faulty information and
myths
Research
Research on herbs is different than typical drug research
 The most extensively used herbs and formulas are not
patentable
 Standardization can be difficult with many
preparations
 Blinding is difficult when herbs have strong tastes or
odors
 When used holistically, different herbs might be
suggested for the same symptoms, or combined in
different ways on a case by case basis
 Potency is affected by preparation, harvesting, and
other factors researchers may not be aware of
Herbal Basics
What to use when and how
Herbal Basics - what part to use
Roots - alkaloids concentrated, more toxic (esp.
perennials)
 Leaves - nutrient rich, less toxic
 Bark - nutrient rich, less toxic
 Seeds - often toxic, (annuals and biennials less so),
varied components
 Flowers - rarely toxic, often used topically
--Please note these are guidelines only, there are always
exceptions.
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Herbal Basics - when to harvest
Roots - spring and fall when alkaloids are
concentrated in root
 Leaves - best before flowering begins
 Bark - spring, fall harvest may damage tree
 Seeds - when fully developed
 Flowers - when fully developed
--Please note these are guidelines only, there are
always exceptions.
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Herbal Basics - the preparations
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Capsules and pills are most common, and least
effective unless made with extracts
Infusion and decoction especially for
nourishing effects
Tincture, vinegar, and oil
Poultice, compress
Salve, bolis,
Inhaled by smoking, smudge, vapor, essential
oil
Nourishing and
Medicinal Herbs
Two different ways herbs can be used
Medicine or Food?
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In traditional herbalism plants are used for both
Substantial healing can occur by nourishing the body
or systems of the body
Many herbs occupy both roles
The nourishing herbs are far less likely to have
unwanted side effects
Weeds in Michigan are often higher in available
nutrients than conventional foods
Nourishing herbs
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Nutrient rich
Bio-available
Generally considered safe, side effects uncommon
Dosage and strength less important
Tend to be local, whole, and common
Large amounts used, in contrast to medicinal plants
Includes tonics
Supportive to body systems
Long term use is usually beneficial
Nourishing Herbs cont.
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Infusions provide readily absorbable nutrients, vary with herb
used.
Nettle urtica provides protein, calcium and iron. Esp. helpful
for anemia, pregnancy (3rd trimester)
Red Clover mineral rich
Oatstraw appears to provide trace minerals helpful for
endocrine system, some evidence affects fertility
Anecdotal information is very positive for using specific
infusions to help with allergies, infertility, poor nutrition,
blood sugaring balancing, and many other problems.
Nourishing Herbs cont.
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Internal use
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Infusions
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Whole plant
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Water based
Vinegar based
Cooked
Raw (salad)
External use
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Compress
Poultice
Salve
Oils - essential oils and infused oils
Medicinal Herbs
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Dosage and strength important or critical
Tend to utilize more toxic parts of plant
Stimulate or sedate
More likely to have side effects
Are often plants that are less common, or rare
Long term use is generally discouraged
More extensive knowledge is needed to use safely
and effectively
Medicinal Herbs cont.
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Internal Use
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Tinctures
Extracts provided in capsules or other
Standardized components of plants
Drug preparations derived from plants
Injections of extracts
Capsules (not necessarily effective)
External Use
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Poultice, compress, bolis
Salves
Oils
Popular Herbs
The Herbs
Ginkgo biloba
St. John’s wort
Garlic
Echinacea
Goldenseal
Saw palmetto
Milk thistle
Black cohosh
Ginger
Valerian
Ginkgo biloba
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Powdered
leaves
Tincture or
infusion
Most ancient tree known
Uses: cerebral insufficiency, Alzheimer’s Ds,
intermittent claudication, tinnitis
Ginkgo
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Increases vascular flow
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diabetic peripheral vascular disease
Raynauds syndrome
Other circulatory benefits fro varicose veins, hemorrhoids,
eye disorders
Affinity for cerebral circulation
Inhibits platelet activity factor
Ginkgo
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Used to relieve tension, anxiety, elevate mood
Contains flavanoids, terpene lactones,
ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide, quercetin,
and kaempferol.
ginkgolides control allergic inflammation,
anaphylactic shock and asthma
antioxidant
What to watch for
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Can increase blood flow
Discontinue before surgery
Do not use with menstrual flooding
Do not use with other bleeding problems
(ulcer, bruising, etc.)
Not suggested with blood thinners, aspirin, etc.
Gingko biloba & Dementia
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52 week RCT, double
blind, multi-center
Outcomes in 309 pts
(ITT):
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Pt cognition: tx no
change, placebo worse
(p=0.04)
Caregiver assess: tx
slight improve, placebo
worse (p=.004)
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Dose: 120 mg/d of EGb
761
Safety: side effects
equal
Problems: high dropout
rate (50% tx, 62%
placebo)
Ginkgo & Claudication
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Meta-analysis of Egb 761
5 placebo controlled trials
Moderate to large effect (0.75 Cohen’s d) on
pain-free treadmill walking distance
Schneider B. Arzneimforsch 1992;42(4):428-436
Ginkgo - Toxicology
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Adverse events
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GI complaints
bruising & spontaneous bleeding
Avoid if taking warfarin, heparin, or NSAIDs
Can increase insulin levels
May increase sedation with trazodone
St. John’s Wort
Hypericum Perforatum
Used as tincture, extract in pill form,
topically as oil or salve
Popular as anti-depressant.
Also used for muscle aches, nerve pain,
nerve regeneration, for herpes
outbreaks, bruising
St. John’s Wort
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Utilizes P450 Cytochrome system
Can interfere with effectiveness of other
medications
Possible rash from exposure to sun (sheep and
cows)
Use with other mood altering drugs of concern
Use by people with manic depressive and other
psychological conditions of concern
St. John’s Wort & Depression
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Meta-analysis: 23 studies, 1757 pts
Mild-mod depression
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Superior to placebo, rrr =2.67 (1.78-4.01)
As effective as TCA’s , rrr=1.10 (0.93-1.31)
Fewer side effects than TCA’s
Dose: 0.4-2.7 mg Hypericin (standardized extract)
Multi-center trial vs. SSRI’s at Duke
Linde K, et al. BMJ 1996;313:253-8
St. John’s Wort - Toxicology
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Side effects
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Theoretical risk - sunburn
Herb-drug interactions
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Studies - digoxin, protease inhibitors, TCAs
Case reports - cyclosporine, warfarin, oral
contraceptives, theophylline, SSRIs
Theoretical - iron
Facts & Comparisons Review of Natural Products, Dec 2000.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
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Uses
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Lower cholesterol
anti-thrombotic
lower blood pressure
anti-microbial agent
Strengthen heart muscle
Reduce platelet clumping
and clotting
Stabilize blood sugar levels
Garlic
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Some caution about use if bleeding is of
concern
Odor
Large amounts can great gas
Potential decreased platelet aggregation
Garlic
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Contains alliin in intact garlic bulb
Alliin  allicin (crushed)
600 – 900 mg of dried powder (1.3% allicin)
Garlic - Evidence
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German Commission E
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elevated blood lipids
prevention of age-related vascular changes
25 studies between 1979-1998 with 2,920
people
Mixed results highly dependent on type of
garlic preparation
Garlic - Evidence
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2 Meta-analyses
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Meta-analysis
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garlic lowered total cholesterol between 9-12%
Anti-hypertensive - 10% reduction
Double blind RCT - 152 subjects for 4 years
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garlic reduced development of atherosclerosis
Echinacea spp.
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E. pallida purpurea angustifolia
Use: prevention and treatment of
colds, flu,immune system support
One of most popular herbs in US
German Commission E
 supportive for colds, chronic
URI, UTI
UK - GSL
Echinacea
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Stimulating dose not advised with autoimmune
and some systemic diseases
Can interfere with immune suppression during
chemotherapy treatment
Stimulating dose should be short term (3-4
days) only
No known side effects
Concern with steroid treatment - depends on
use
Echinacea - Human Evidence
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26 controlled trials (many open label)
3 blinded RCT’s on URI
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1 showed dose dependent decrease in symptoms
and duration of “flu”
2 showed 13-20% relative risk reduction of
acquiring URI
Dose: 30-60 gtts 1:5 (g/ml) tincture TID
Species, method of preparation and dose of
concern with recent trials
Echinacea Systematic Review
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16 randomized or quasi randomized trials
Echinacea preparation vs. no treatment or
placebo
8 trials on prevention, 8 trials on treatment
3396 patients involved
Majority with positive results
Cannot say which preparation is best
Melchart, D. et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;2.
Goldenseal
(Hydrastis
canadensis)
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Used in Native American medicine
Taken up by European immigrants
Deep forest dweller, endangered species
Part used is the root
Colds, flu, bacterial diarrhea, intestinal
parasites, and ocular trachoma infections
Goldenseal
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Endangered herb
Internal use has antibiotic effect
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Dose, duration, and strength important
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concern for contributing to antibiotic resistant
bacteria
Can be difficult to self-administer
Overused and misused by general public
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Present in tooth paste, lip balm, herbal mixtures
Goldenseal - Evidence
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Antimicrobial activity vs. bacteria, viruses,
fungi, protozoans, helminths, and
chlamydia
Active components:
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berberine (anticholinergic, antisecretory, and
antimicrobial)
beta-hydrastine (astringent)
In rats, Goldenseal increases IgM antibodies
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
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Used for benign
prostatic hypertrophy
Hexane extract of
dried berries
Spasmolytic activity
Inhibition of androgen
Anti-inflammatory
Not an inhibitor of 5reductase
Saw Palmetto - Evidence
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18 RCT’s, 16/18 double-blinded
2939 men, duration 4-48 weeks
Decreased nocturia, improved symptom scores
vs. placebo
Improved symptom score, improved peak
urine flow vs. finasteride
Dose: 400 mg dry extract BID
Wilt TJ, et al. JAMA 1998; 280:1604-1609.
Saw Palmetto - Toxicology
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Rats: 80x human dose for 6 months
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Human trials, German Commission E
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No negative influences
GI disturbances, headache
No significant adverse effects
Drug interactions
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Theoretical - Estrogens, oral contraceptives, iron
German Commission E reports none
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga
racemosa)
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Fresh root tincture or dried
root infusion
Remifemin, used in
Germany since 1950’s
Used for hot flashes and
night sweats
German Commission E:
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Premenstrual discomfort
Dysmenorrhea
Menopausal
neurovegetative symptoms
Black Cohosh - Mode of action
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Steroidal terpenes? isoflavones? others?
Methanol extracts bind estrogen receptors
Inhibits estrogen dependent breast tumor cell lines
Lowers LH in rats and women, no effect on FSHa
Stimulatory effect on endometriumb,c
Actein may be beneficial in hypercholesterolemia and
peripheral arterial disease
a. Duker 1991; b. Stoll 1987; c. Warnecke 1985
Black Cohosh - Clinical Trials
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5 RCTs in literature
Randomized, head to head trial
60 pts, < 40 yr. old with hysterectomies
Estriol vs. conjugated estrogens vs.
estrogen-gestegen sequential vs. black
cohosh extract
Outcome: Kupperman’s Menopausal Index
Black cohosh equal to other treatments
Lehmann-Willenbrock, et al. Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie 1998;110:611-8
similar findings: Warnecke, 1985
Black Cohosh Update
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Recent RCT
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85 breast cancer survivors
59 were on tamoxifen
40 mg/d Remifemin vs. placebo x 2 months
No benefit for hot flashes
Jacobson JS, et al. J. Clin. Oncol 2001;19:2739-45.
On-going trial at Columbia Univ
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RCT, 1 year duration
hot flashes, endometrial thickness, bone metab,
cognitive effects
Black Cohosh - Toxicology
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Overdose: nausea,
dizziness, nervous system
disturbance
Mice -  spread of breast
CA
Large doses may cause
miscarriage.
Contraindicated in
pregnancy
Long term safety
unknown
Ginger Zingiber officinale
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Used for nausea
Helpful for colds and
flu
Warming herb
Many other folkloric
uses
Ginger for Nausea &
Vomiting of Pregnancy
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2 trials show efficacy compared to placebo
excess Yang (excess Qi)
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N not in AM, N worse p eating, N improves p
vomiting
ginger is too “hot”, use peppermint
excess Yin (deficient Qi)
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N in AM, N better p eating, N worse p
vomiting
ginger will be helpful
Tiran D. Comp Ther Nursing & Midwifery. 2002;8:191-196
How to take ginger
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Dose 3-9 grams fresh (or dried) peeled ginger
root
Tea made from grated fresh root (2 inches root, 1
qt water, simmer covered 20 minutes and strain)
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Commercially available capsules
NOT ginger biscuits or ginger beer
Tiran D. Comp Ther Nursing & Midwifery. 2002;8:191-196
Ginger Root Safety?
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Contraindicated in
German Commission E
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6-gingerol is mutagenic in
vitro at high doses
Other compounds in ginger
are anti-mutagenic
Widely used in Traditional
Chinese Medicine
No contraindication in
Pharmacopoeia of the
People’s Republic of China
(1995)
May increase miscarriage
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
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Protects liver
Promotes hepatic cell
growth
Supports normal liver
function
Antioxidant
Milk thistle
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Hepatoprotective
 antioxidant activity
 toxin blockade at the membrane level
 enhanced protein synthesis
 antifibriotic activity
 possible anti-inflammatory or immunomodulating effects
 Stimulates action of nucleolar polymerase A causing in
ribosomal protein synthesis, stimulating regenerative ability
and formation of hepatocytes
Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects Summary, Evidence
Report/Technology Assessment: Number 21 Sept. 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
Rockville MD
German commission E monographs
Milk thistle
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German Commission E Monographs report
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No contraindications
No known side effects
No known interactions with other drugs
Valerian Valeriana officinalis
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Perennial root is used,
best as tincture or
extract as taste is foul
Used to treat nervous
system disorders such as
anxiety, restlessness,
insomnia, back spasms
Valerian
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May increase effects of CNS depressants, avoid
concurrent use
May negate effects of MAOIs and meds containing
Phenytoin, and warfarin
Can cause insomnia, headache, restlessness, nausea,
vomiting, vision changes, palpitations, and overdose
= hepatoxicity
May impair ability to drive or similar tasks
Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements 2001
Herbs Local to Michigan
Local Herbs
For thousands of years all herbs used were:
 Local
 Common
 Harvested by practitioner or user
 Prepared at time of use or preserved for off-season
 Special non-local herbs were available by trade
Current Practice
This type of use is still relevant today.
Advantages
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Low or no cost
No fear of adulteration
Know plant part and if picked at best time
Fresh
Gets you out in nature
Personal/spiritual experience with plant(s)
Michigan Herbal Allies
In Michigan we are surrounded by herbal
helpers. When you begin to learn them, it
changes the experience of being outside and
your ability to interact with nature.
Help is all around you. It is a very powerful
thing to experience regularly. Finding and
making you own medicine creates
independence, and provides other options to
the conventional insurance/medical systems.
Just a few of the hundreds
In your yard:
plaintain, dandelion, motherwort, lamb’s quarters, echinacea,
Groundsel, shepherd’s purse, chickweed, mallow, self heal
Coming in from the woods:
stinging nettle, cleavers, garlic mustard, poke, red raspberry
From the surrounding countryside:
mullein, yellow dock, burdock, chicory, red clover,
St. John’s wort, yarrow
Plantain Plantago
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Used in salads, for bites and
skin irritations, soothes oral
cuts and radiation burns
Leaves chewed, poultice,
juiced or salve. Seeds of
some species ground and
used internally for diarrhea
and constipation
Plantain (cont.)
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Externally speeds
healing, stops bleeding,
draws out foreign
matter, kills bacteria,
decreases itching,
decreases pain.
Grows in driveways,
paths, near sidewalks,
lawns.
Dandelion Taraxacum officinalis
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Famous for liver
support and
nourishment, rich in vit.
A, diuretic
Relieves gas and
heartburn (20 drops
tincture before meals)
All parts are edible
Dandelion (cont.)
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Grows in lawns, fields,
and where it is needed.
Used as tincture (leaves
and root), eaten as
green, steeped in
vinegar, bitter infusion
Echinacea
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A plains flower
perennial, Ech. purpuria
grows easily in
Michigan gardens
Roots are harvested in
fall of third or fourth
year and tinctured fresh
Echinacea
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Echinacea angusifolia
harder to grow, roots
can be dried.
Uses are commonly
known, note that
Echinacea can be used
to stimulate or nourish
the immune system.
Anti-viral.
Echinacea
stimulate
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Two Actions
nourish
useful for a limited time
useful when a fast result
is required
can have possible side
effects
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useful for an unlimited
time
useful when a long term
result is required
especially indicated for
recovery from long term
or chronic illness
side effects are unlikely
Lamb’s Quarter Chenopodium
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Eaten for high calcium
and carotenes
Available early spring
through fall (if picked
regularly)
Can be blanched and
frozen for winter
nourishment
Lamb’s Quarter (cont.)
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Excellent green for
making calcium rich
vinegar
Grows in disturbed
ground
Easy to identify by
“chalky” appearance
Use in place of lettuce
for salad base
Nettle Urtica
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Leaves eaten for
calcium, iron, protein,
micronutrient content.
Can also be made into
infusion.
Tincture or infusion aids
kidneys, adrenals
Salve or tea used for
burns
Nettle (cont.)
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May decrease insulin
resistance
Infusions, soups,
vinegars maximize
nettle’s rich nutritional
value that nourishes
many body systems.
Grows near water and
high nitrogen sources
Garlic Mustard Allaria petiolata
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Seriously invasive plant.
You are encouraged to
pick it (roots and all)
nearly anywhere you
find it.
Save the top 1/3 and
compost the rest.
Garlic Mustard (cont.)
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Use fresh in salads,
blanch and freeze as pot
green, great in sauces
and soups, use in place
of garlic in many
recipes.
Medicinal benefit
unknown, but as
nutritious as most
greens.
Mullein Verbasci
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Traditional use to stop
smoking (substitute)
Leaves, infusion, and
tincture nourishing for
lungs
Oil from flowers used
for earaches
Mullein (cont.)

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Leaves used to help
effectiveness of coughs, to
reduce asthma, to calm lung
inflammation
Found by roadsides,
meadows, beginnings of
paths and in gardens.
A startling plant in the
second year, can grow 6-9
feet.
Yellow Dock Rumex crispus
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
Root used as tincture to
promote iron
absorption, nourish
liver.
Root used as oil as
wound healer (bruises,
tissue damage, trauma)
Yellow Dock (cont.)

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Leaves used as food
(great as pesto)
contain high amounts
of easily absorbable
iron.
Great plant for
treating anemia
(tincture of roots)
Will only grow in
iron rich soil, fields
and open land
Burdock Arctium lappa

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Tincture of the root is used
for skin diseases, antitumor, as a deep alterative
The root can be eaten (first
year and spring of second
year only). Used raw, in stir
fries, or pickled
Found in pour quality
disturbed ground, open
fields
Burdock (cont.)
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Root contains high levels of
inulin, may help blood sugar
stabilization and calcium
absorption
Leaves as poultice or
compress used to heal burns
(including from hot pepper
oil)
Leaves as poultice quickly
heal skin abrasions
Other ideas


Learn 1-2 plants per year
Learn each plant thoroughly - were it grows,
why it grows there, what parts are used, when
are they harvested, what it tastes like, and how
to prepare it for maximum benefit.
Case Studies
Highlighting The Different Ways
Herbs are Used
Herbs can be used for:
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Acute conditions
Chronic problems
Prevention
Nutrition
System strengthening
Easing transitions

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Repair
Substitutes for drugs
Psychiatric care
A complement to
conventional treatment
Case Study: Prophylactic Use
of Echinacea angustifolia and
purpurea Tincture for
Management of a Recurrent
Staphylococcus Infection
Staph Case Study con’t.
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46 yo female CHF
Heart cath age 53, followed by staph infection
Broad spec. antibiotics no effect
Echinacea ang. 30-40 drops every 3 hours
Symptom improvement within 2 hours
Two days both, stopped Ech. Symptoms
returned within 4 hours
Ech and Antibiotic together, no symptoms
Staph Case Study con’t.

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MD stopped antibiotics, pt. stopped Ech.
Symptoms returned
Ech. as before - symptoms gone
One day without Ech, some symptoms
Ech 10 drops day no symptoms
For next 7 years, until death, two skipped
days symptoms return -proven at least five
times
Significant points

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Echinacea fought an antibiotic resistant
infection
Low dose (nourishing) as effective as high
dose (stimulating)
Low dose safe to use long term
Long term use was necessary
Mechanism of action for effect of low dose
unknown
Preventative

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5 year old girl, 38 year old female
Both have daily exposure to kids at day care
and are frequently ill with colds, ear infections,
and pink eye.
Low dose of Echinacea used long term: 2-3
drops for the 5 year old and 10 drops for adult.
Both experience marked decrease in
frequency and severity of illnesses.
Severe Anemia

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Male health professional with symptoms of severe
fatigue, depression, digestive disturbances
History revealed no obvious reason for fatigue
Symptoms consistent with anemia, home test kit
showed Hemoglobin 6.5, pale gums, eyelids, etc.
Client then revealed rectal bleeding and hemorrhoids
Suggested immediate follow up with MD - confirmed
6.3 hemoglobin
Severe Anemia con’t.
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For blood loss: nettle infusion, yellow dock tincture,
other diet additions of high iron food
Counseling on diet that may have contributed to the
problem, possible needed changes (client eliminated
red meat)
For hemorrhoids: use of witch hazel sitz baths, witch
hazel applied topically
Two days of use reported improvement of
hemorrhoids
Four weeks later, significant improvement of energy
levels, hemoglobin above 9, no rectal bleeding, no
noticeable hemorrhoids
Transition

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42 year old female post surgery complete
hysterectomy
Removed from hormone therapy after cancer is
found
Trouble sleeping, hot flashes, and mood
swings for over 3 months
Uses 10 drops motherwort tincture at night, all
symptoms resolved within one week.
Repair/pain relief

42 year old female experiencing significant nerve
pain following needle biopsy on lung, lasting more
than 4 months. Difficult to tolerate any touch and
even clothing contact
St. John’s Wort oil applied topically
Pain decreased within days, continued to progress
with continued use
Had a pain free mammogram a few months later

See related article on nerve regeneration www.holisticwisdom.org/articles

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Complementary to Conventional
Treatment

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23 year old female with ALL treated with
chemotherapy drugs
Used milk thistle extract during each treatment, as
well as 2 x a day 20 drops in water
Liver tests consistently came back normal
Nursing staff questioned her about her high energy
levels and unexpectedly good liver profiles
My later conversations with her medical team
confirmed their initial surprise, and their belief that
the milk thistle was a significant factor.
To Learn More
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Free monthly herb classes sponsored by People’s
Food Coo-op (fourth Thurs.)
Free monthly herb classes sponsored by Whole Foods
Index to studies - www.herbmed.org
Good source for traditional use and recent evidence
www.naturalstandard.com (access through taubman
library database)
Michael Moore’s database
www.medherb.com/1herb.htm listing research,
ethnobotany, constituents, traditional use, and more.
To learn more

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Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs and Natural
Supplements
For local identification and research Peterson’s A
Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Steven
Foster and James Duke
The Complete German Commission E Monographs
(buy book or online with American Botanical Council
membership)
Through the Taubman library CAM databases: Dr.
Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database
Contact Information
Linda Diane Feldt
P.O. Box 3218
Ann Arbor MI 48106-3218
734-662-4902
[email protected]
www.holisticwisdom.org
Slide credit # 32-66 based on material
prepared with
Sara L. Warber, MD
Suzanne Zick, ND, MPH
Leslie Shimp, PharmD
Dogs harvesting herbs