Herbs, Simply
Herbs, Simply
In this video Rebekah Anast demonstrates the simplicity of medicinal herbs. Herbs should not be a ‘hobby,’ she explains, but an integral aspect of life. Nor need they be complex, time-consuming or expensive. Sometimes, healing might be in the form of a weed in the backyard!
If you want to see more herbal medicine demonstrations, visit the Mountain Rose Herbs YouTube channel, where you can watch a series of excellent instructional videos hosted by John Gallagher of Learning Herbs and Herb Mentor.
As Mrs. Anast points out, most herbs were traditionally valued for their nutritive rather than medicinal qualities. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” [Genesis 1:29, emphasis mine]
Spices and herbs
Are as old as the hills,
But they’re better in food
Than in old-fashioned pills.
If you would like to learn more about this interesting feature of herbs, this site will prove useful: Prodigal Gardens.
If you are interested in learning more about the medicinal uses of herbs, you will find the Naturally Healthy Family series invaluable. Written by a Christian wife and mother, these books are truly a breath of fresh air! You will find no New Age philosophy in these pages. Also, unlike some enthusiasts who adopt an “herbs or nothing” approach to healing, Mrs. Parker has developed a sensible Step Ladder Approach to Health™ in which health problems are addressed first on a nutritional/ lifestyle level, then herbs, then conventional medicine, and so forth.
Mrs. Parker offers a sound and unique perspective on the health and well-being of women. The Naturally Healthy Woman equips women to understand and care for themselves from puberty to the childbearing years to menopause. (247 pages)
Mrs. Parker expertly but simply discusses fertility, medical examinations, neonatal nutrition, breast-feeding, and birth control, all from a Biblical perspective. The bulk of the book lists common health concerns which accompany pregnancy, and shares how to address them most naturally and safely. (325 pages)
This essential book details home treatments for a wide variety of health issues, using nutritional and botanical remedies. Learn how to evaluate your family’s health, make simple herb remedies in your own kitchen, and recognize when it is appropriate to seek professional health. (298 pages)
There is some overlap between books, but my family has found each of these valuable assets in caring for ourselves, whatever the stage of life.
This week, a sweet-smelling box arrived from Texas. The first installment of the Community Herbalist course had arrived! When I have time I love to read or browse through the various books and the course notebook. There is so much wonderful information here, I am sure I will have a full and invigorating year. (I can hardly wait to “begin” this coming Monday!) The delicious aromas of lavender, lemon balm, echinacea and cocoa butter uplift my spirits whenever I wander near (which I often deliberately do). The pages of all my books are scented too!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009