The Winged Seed Spring 2002

What effects do today's toxic pollutants and impurities have on the body? It becomes sluggish, fatigued, over stressed and defenseless against today's disease. Environmental toxins hidden in our air, food and water are also hiding in us. Your body sends out warning signals to tell you when it is weakened, over stressed, tired and sluggish. Symptoms can include headaches, bloating, tiredness and lack of energy, mental fatigue and aches & pains. These warnings should not be taken lightly, your body is slowing down and needs help.

Some alterative herbs like Burdock, Cleavers and Mullein improve the body’s ability to eliminate waste through the kidneys, liver, lungs or skin. Others work by stimulating digestive function or are anti-microbial, including Blue Flag, Garlic, Golden Seal, and Nettles.

Of major importance to the digestive system, as well as to the rest of the body are the bitters. Quite simply, these are remedies that have a bitter taste. Their broad effect on the tone and function of the body offers an opportunity to treat the body as a whole. The ‘bitterness principle’ is action usually caused by a volatile oil, an alkaloid, monoterpene iridoids or a sesquiterpene. It seems that they all work in a similar way, by triggering a sensory response in the mouth. The sensation of bitterness is directed by the nerves to the central nervous system. From here, it is passed on to the gut giving rise to the digestive hormone gastrin, leading to a range of valuable effects, including stimulation of appetite; stimulation of the flow of digestive juices from the pancreas, duodenum and liver; aid to the liver in its detoxification work and increase of the flow of bile. Since we herbalists believe that many health problems have their roots in an overworked liver, the possibilities are very good using bitters for tonic action and detoxification. Those for the digestive system include Gentian, Barberry, Golden Seal, Chicory and Blessed Thistle. Bitter herbs with a specific action on the circulatory system include the relaxing herbs like hops and valerian, reducing wind and taking pressure off the heart. Certain bitters have expectorant actions such as white horehound.

Diuretic herbs like celery seed, dandelion and parsley increase the secretion and elimination of urine, helping the body eliminate waste and supporting the process of inner cleansing. There are diuretic actions from herbs that are cardio-active and circulatory stimulants, as well as those that cause diuresis and are secreted via the kidney.

Hepatics like rosemary and sage (specific for the circulatory system) are herbal remedies which in a wide range of ways aid the work of the liver, toning and strengthening and in some cases also increase the flow of bile, like boneset. An area of therapy often well suited for herbal treatment is that of liver damage. The incredible complexity of liver chemistry often infuriates those who don’t believe in simple plant remedies. In reality, these simple detoxifying formulas are extremely effective, and what some researchers call ‘common weeds’ are proving to be profound tools in the treatment of the diseases caused by pollution.

Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it. Most are what are called tonic herbs, and promote a general improvement of body functioning, not a direct impact or direct amelioration of disease.

Other herbs to consider for spring detoxification are anti-microbial (peppermint, osha, calendula, eucalyptus, juniper) and anti-catarrhal (cayenne, elder, hyssop, sage), which benefit the whole system.

Samara Botane will have a spring detox formula in bulk stock, along with infused ginger honey to help jump-start your whole system this spring.

We will also feature two excellent classes to learn more about detoxing herbal effects and tea blending with Inger Land Genest and an Ayurvedic healing journey surrounding foods, herb and spices as well as breathing for health and detoxification.