The History of Herbal Medicine and Smudging

History of Herbal Medicine

So you are interested in learning more about folk medicine. What does that mean to you? The definition according to Mirriam Webster is "treatment of disease or injury based on tradition, especially on oral tradition, rather than on modern scientific practice, and often utilizing indigenous plants as remedies."
Folk medicine is what we learned, sometimes unknowingly, from our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and other amazing women in our life. It may have been when you scraped a knee and your mom put some plantain on it or the chamomile tea your grandmother made you when you were restless and couldn't sleep away from home.
Folk Medicine has been around since the beginning of time. There is talk about it in the Bible and many other old tablet as well as the tombs of Egypt. This depiction is of Thoth who is thought to be one of the early healers in Egypt.

Photo credit: The British Museum
When the white man came to the Americas, it is no secret that if it wasn't for the help of the Native Americans, we wouldn't have survived. In the early days, very few physicians were available in the new colonies. Native American healers would be called upon when there were illnesses in the colonies. They knew what plants were available to them in which seasons and what methods were needed to utilize them properly.
Additionally, many of the women of the colonies had brought with them the knowledge (and a few seeds) from their early days in Europe. These traditions coupled with the knowledge learned from the Native Americans, got many families through the hard times.

Photo Credit: Ancient Origins.net
During the Revolutionary war, physicians were still scarce and many times, those fighting were far from care. Many times plants found in fields an forests, were used in place of modern medicine or to treat until a soldier could be brought back to a camp for treatment. An example of such medicine is Canadian Fleabane which was used as a blood coagulant. This plant is most often used infused in an oil and applied to the injured tissue. In modern times, fleabane can also be used in an infusion to treat a cough with mucous discharge.

Fleabane. Photo Credit: naturespot.org
Many of these plants were discovered and tested using the Doctrine of Signatures. Information, which has influenced common names of plants and still continues to influence many herbalists today.

Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a way of identifying the uses of plants that was used by many of our ancestors. Today we have more modern ways of testing plants and knowing what constituents are beneficial to treat different ailments and diseases. But in a time when these types of testing were not invented or scarce, many new colonists, resorted to this means of identification.
The Doctrine of Signatures was created in Greece in the 1500's by a man by the name of Paracelsus who believed that every plant grew in a way "according to its curative benefit." Meaning you could tell just by the shape of a leaf or the color of a bloom what it was to be used for.
An example of this is the common flower, Calendula. This bloom has a yellow/orange color to it and is a wonderful herb to aid digestion and help with stomach related issues. The yellow/orange color is also associated with bile, or stomach acids. This is where the connection is made as to it's uses. Another example is Eyebright. The picture below shows the resemblance of the flower to the eye. This was used for hundreds of years for problems with eyesight.

Photo Credit: Wellcome Library, London
The reality of this way of thinking is that, unless a large amount of plant knowledge is already possessed, it can and has lead to exacerbation of symptoms or even death.
In modern day the Doctrine of Signatures is used more as a way of remembering plants rather than a means of identification.
Here are some basic examples.
Plants with yellow flowers (representing bile and urine) are good for your liver, urinary tract and tend to be diuretic.

Dandelion. Photo Credit: Jennifer Galbraith
Plants that are prickly or thorny in nature tend to help with sharp pains in the body and are natural tonics.

Stinging Nettles. Photo Credit: Jennifer Galbraith
Plants with thin or thread like roots or leaves are said to be good for your skin, which also is thin and has thread like veins.

Plantain. Photo Credit: Jennifer Galbraith
You may find as you begin or continue your herbal journey that you use some of these signs to help you remember what an herb is good for. It is important to do your research on each plant before using it medicinally. We now know that the Doctrine of Signatures, while a great tool, is not always the best way to identify the use of a plant. Please do your research thoroughly.

Smudging

Why am I talk about something like smudging? I thought this was about herbal medicine. Well, guess what smudging is... Medicine! Smudging your home has been known to eliminate 94% of toxins in the air. I refer to it as my all natural Lysol! In the early months of the year, we are all stuck inside more than we would like to be with cold and flu germs running rampant. Did you know that the cold virus can live up to 7 days in your house? It's time to start cleaning them out!!
In the early days of folk medicine, it was believed in some religions that evil spirits were coming to your home and making you sick. When smudging ceremonies were done, it cleansed your home of these "spirits." Little did they know at the times, but those "spirits" were actually germs and viruses.
Another reason to smudge is grounding and connecting. It is so important if you are going to start (or continue) a journey with herbal medicine, that you know how to cleanse, ground and connect.
Some signs that you may not be as connected to the earth include:

• Getting distracted easily
• Constantly overthinking things
• Always worrying
• Have an obsession with material things
• Have an obsession with your image

No matter your spiritual background, most religions believe that someone or something has created our amazing planet and given us this gift of plant medicine. Additionally, they believe that a connection with the earth and your spiritual deity can help you with the above problem. The first step is to connect. And the first step of connecting is through the burning of herbs and incense.
Giving thanks through the burning of herbs is a tradition seen throughout the ages. In the Buddist and Shinto religions, burning incense is a way of cleansing your surroundings to allow the gods to come to you. Even in the Bible (beginning in Exodus 25) when speaking about building the Tabernacle, God tells Moses to have a place to burn incense.

Photo Credit: templestudy.com
Smudging still continues today in many religions including the burning of frankincense in the Catholic church, and the burning of incense in Buddhist temples.
In Buddhism, people will sometimes burn three sticks or cones of incense at once signifying the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha. The same principal could be applied to the Christian, Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is mostly used before prayer or meditation to purify the space and create a tranquil mood.
Creating your own smudge sticks or incense, allows you the freedom to put in them, what you enjoy. Relaxation through aroma therapy, is a very personal thing. Scents invoke memories, good and bad. Scents can either connect you, or send you thinking about a bad past relationship or traumatic time in your childhood.
You will also find some herbs will burn better than others. So, combining herbs that are slow burning with fast burning herbs will help you create a good balance. Below is a list of commonly used herbs to help you create your own blends.
Slow Burning Herbs

• Lemongrass
• Blue Spruce
• Cedar
• Palo Santo
• Bay Leaf
• Lavendar
• Pine

Fast Burning Herbs

• Aspen
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Thyme
• Mint
• Dandelion
• Calendula
• Mugwort

Most of these herbs can be wrapped into a smudge stick as demonstrated in the video. Some can even be purchased from your local grocery store. Always buy organic when available or wash well as any pesticides may become toxic when burned.

\

Photo Credit: Jennifer Galbraith
Another option is to make your own incense powder or cones. Loose powders can be made by grinding up whole dried herbs. Once your desired mixture is ground up (using a mortar and pestle or food processor) you can put it on hot coals or in an already lit fire like a woodstove or camp fire.
Cones are made by grinding your desired herb(s) and adding makko powder (which can be purchased on amazon here ) at a ratio of 1/3 makko powder to 2/3 ground herbs. After they have been combined thoroughly ( stir for several minutes) begin adding water several drops at a time until desired consistency. You will need it to be wet enough to hold together but not too wet as to lost shape. Take a small amount in your fingers and shape into a small cone. Allow to dry for several days before attempting to light.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Galbraith
By choosing your own herbs, you will begin to reconnect with the earth. Other ways that you can reconnect include:

• Shopping at your local farmers market or co-op and eat local, seasonal foods
• Take a walk on your local nature trail or at a state park
• Go barefoot!! Letting your bare feet feel the grass, dirt or sand between your toes
• Go swimming in a lake or ocean (weather permitting of course...)
• If you just can't find time to get outside, consider getting an earthmat like the ones found here from Vibesup.com

In the video below, I will talk about the herbs that I use. As well as demonstrate how you can make your own smudge stick. I can't wait to see what you all come up with for your combinations.

Medicine Making Supplies

Supply List Do's and Don'ts

When you are first starting out on your medicine making journey, looking from recipe to recipe can give you anxiety looking at the supply list. In this section, I will break down what you need, some household items you may use to replace some items and some fun extras if you want to invest. Remember, you don't need everything at once! Start small and invest as you go along if you find something that may work better for you.
Antique stores and thrift stores are a great place to shop for supplies. Many times old strainers, large bowls and double boiler pans can be purchased there for a fraction of the cost.

Basic Supplies

Herbs- fresh or dried herbs. Many herbs you will be able to find in your yard or on hikes through the woods. Those that you cannot find, you will need to purchase through reputable distributors. Frontier Co-op and Mountain Rose Herbs are great for buying in bulk. If it is an herb that you know you will use a lot of, like Nettles, this can be ideal. However, when you are new to herbal medicine, you may not know how much of something you will need and 4oz of Calendula and 4 oz of wild yam root are going to look very different as they are packaged by weight. For smaller purchases, I like to use Jean's Greens because they allow you to purchase by the ounce.
Glass Jars with lids- It is important that you properly store your herbs. When shipped to you they will come in plastic bags and need to be transferred to glass jars with air-tight lids. But the good news is that any glass jar will do. Empty mayonnaise jars, pickle jars etc. Just thoroughly clean and dry them and they will be ready to use to store herbs.

Labels- You will need to label your dry herbs, your tinctures or oils that are setting and your finished products. I prefer the Avery 8163 labels as they fit well on tincture, spray and 8 oz bottles. If you do not want to invest in labels, a piece of masking tape will work just as well.
Notebook- Every beginning herbalist comes across hundreds of herbal recipes they want to try. Only some will work for you in timing and preference. You will also begin to acquire herbs and the more you do the harder it is to keep track of what you have run out of. Having a small notebook that is dedicated to your herbal journey is so important. Write down what you want to try, herbal shopping and planting lists and notes from classes you attend. This way you will always know where to look for your herbal information.

Getting Started

Saucepan- Go to goodwill and get a saucepan. Can you make your elderberry syrup in a regular saucepan? Absolutely! However, once you start making salves and melting beeswax it will make a mess of your favorite pots and pans. It is best to have a saucepan and/or double boiler that is dedicated to your herbal work.
Double Boiler- This is optional for when you are infusing oils or reducing the alcohol content in a tincture. If you do not want to spend the money right now, you will need two saucepans that can be stacked on top of each other. When you start making more salves, you will want to invest in one.

Wooden Spoons- Again, you can use the same ones that you already have in your kitchen. However, just as with the saucepan, when using wax it can ruin your favorite utensils. It is always ideal to have utensils that are dedicated to your herbal medicine making. Also, wooden and bamboo utensils work better than plastic or metal because when you are trying to squeeze out the last couple drops of infusions, tinctures and infused oils, it needs to be able to take a lot of pressure.
Mesh strainer - even one from the dollar store will work at first. Once you start making your own medicine more regularly, you may want to invest in a higher quality strainer or even a jelly strainer since the pressing and squeezing may start to wear it out.

Cheese Cloth- A good quality cheese cloth could be used as a replacement for many other tools. It can be used to strain herbs instead of a mesh strainer while allowing you to squeeze with your hands. Also while using a tincture press, it makes it easier to keep the herbs all in one place. Additionally, a piece of cheese cloth could be used as a tea bag in place of a tea ball/bag.
Tincture Press- This is a splurge. You do not need this for every day medicine making. However, when you find yourself making more and more tinctures and straining more and more to get every last drop out, it may be time to invest. Tincture presses use additional pressure to get every last drop so that nothing is wasted.

Ricer- This may be a tool you already have laying around. If not, many times you can find these at antique shops or Goodwill. I like to use mine as a small, handheld tincture press. It works great for smaller jars of tincture.
Funnels- Several sizes of funnels are needed when working with natural medicines. A canning funnel will help you when you are putting dried herbs into jars for storage of for tinctures. Additionally, they are needed for pouring salves into jars. Regular size funnels are great for adding liquids to jars for tinctures and glycerites as well as bottling syrups. And a small tincture funnel is needed for adding tinctures and liniments to small bottles. If your regular size funnel has a small enough tip, you may be able to use it instead of a tincture funnel. But that varies from funnel to funnel.

Measuring Cups- Glass heat resistant measuring cups are essential. Not only will it help you measure herbs to help your ratios as well as measuring infused oils and beeswax but because they have a pour spout, it makes pouring your medicines into containers much easier. Many times when I am straining I do so directly into a glass measuring cup.
Bottles- Tincture bottles and spray bottles are really the only specialty bottles you will need. When making syrups and liniments, you can buy the 8 oz glass bottles but you could also recycle bottles that you may have. If you are a kombucha drinker, many times they come in amber bottles with screw tops that can be reused to store your medicine. Additionally, small jelly jar mason jars are inexpensive and can be readily found even at your local grocery store. However, reusing small jelly jars or olive jars work just as well.

Food Processor- This is a luxury and not necessary. As you will see in this month's video, I talk about using the food processor to better incorporate the coconut oil into your salve. However, using a whisk or simply shaking it in the jar will work fine. The only difference will be in whether the salve stays mixed or separates.
Mortar and Pestle- This may be something you already have that you can use to grind up your herbs. You will mostly need to grind herbs if you are making a glycerites, poultices or herbal baths. For the most part, herbs can be kept whole and finely chopped. Mortar and pestles can definitely get up there in price. The best large mortar and pestle I ever found was at Ikea. So, that may be worth checking out if you have one locally.

Tea Ball/Bag- If you are going to mix your own medicinal teas, a tea ball or reusable tea bag are a must. Tea balls are readily available at most department stores and online and can usually be purchased for less that five dollars. Sometimes you can even find some in fun shapes and colors. A reusable tea bag made from natural muslin is another option but could be harder to find. If you are a sewer, this may be a quick easy project you could make on your own.
Teapot with Strainer- If you plan to make an entire pot of tea at once, investing in a teapot with a strainer basket may make more sense for you than the tea ball. There are many out there to choose from. My personal opinion is to get one that can be heated on the stove so that you do not need multiple teapots. Be careful when shopping as some of them cannot go on the stove and require you to add the hot water to the pot off of the heat.

I hope that you learned about some new tools and some tools you may already have that can save you some money in your herbal journey.

Herbal Salves~A history and how to lesson

The History of Herbal Salves and Poultices

Topical remedies have been around as long as there have been topical maladies. Treatments from yucca root lathered into a shampoo to treat dandruff to foot baths made of walnut and oak bark to treat gout and fungal infections.

Poultices

A poultice is the simplest form of topical herbal medicine. Maybe the simplest form of all herbal remedies. Poultices are nothing more than grinding and mixing whole fresh or dried herbs to create a paste and applying them directly to the skin to treat skin or muscle ailments.
These uncomplicated formulas have been being used for centuries and in many different cultures. Ancient Egyptians used honey and tree resin for many topical indications. Pitch (which is made from pine resin) was warmed and made into a putty like substance and applied to draw out embedded splinters. Honey has amazing healing properties as well as an anti-microbial nature. Which makes it wonderful alone or mixed with herbs such as Myrrh which can clean and treat wounds.

In Greece, the cannabis plant was used in poultices. The root of the plant would be boiled and then applied to joints that had been inflammed due to gout. The leaves of the cannabis plant would also be chopped up and mixed with vinegar, pitch, mustard, wheat-chaff and wax and applied to wounds on horses!

In India and the Ayurvedic medicine herbs are not used to treat specific maladies as in other medicines, but rather to treat the whole body. It is believed that illnesses and even how your body treats an injury is a result of the overall mind, body and spirit's health. However, poultices are used many times for inflammation and relaxation purposed. In these practices, herbs are put into a cloth and tied. The cloth is then placed in warm oil and then onto the skin.

In the United States, ancient Hawaiians would use make ginger root into a paste and shape it to cover a tooth for a toothache. Additionally, Native Americans would grind up slippery elm bark between two flat rocks for burns, wounds and ulcers.

During the 17th and 18th centuries poultices were an easy way to treat injuries and other skin problems. Dandelion was used for itchy skin and rashes and cabbage leaves were (and still are) applied to swollen breast of nursing mothers. At times it was as simple as going into their garden or root cellars. During the Revolutionary War potatoes were used as a poultice on soldiers wounds to draw out infection.

Salves

A salve is when the herbs are added to an oil, usually infused into and not used when whole. Sometimes a beeswax is added to make a more solid salve or to help seal in moisture. Infusing the oils mostly involves heating but some oils are best infused by leaving them in the sun like a beautiful saint john's wort oil.
Historically, many cultures used castor oil which is made by pressing castor beans as the carrier oil. A favorite of ancient Egyptians, herbs such as Mandrake Root were added to the castor oil and heated. The infused oil was then applied to sore joints and insect bites among other things. Mandrake root oil is analgesic and anesthetic.

Many salves and other medicinal remedies of the ancient Egyptians were preserved in the Ebers Papyrus which dates back to 1550 BC. It speaks to using castor oil mixed with not only mandrake but also juniper, pomegranate juice and root and thyme.

Native Americans many times used bear fat or fat from a boar to make their salves. Greenbriar may have been added to treat minor sores or burns. Additionally, birch and hemlock barks were sometimes made into a salve to use as an antiseptic for cuts and to treat skin conditions such as excema. Pine resin was also used to aid sore muscles and joints.

While most salves are made with whole fresh or dried herbs that are infused into the carrier oil, African tribes use dried roots and herbs that are burned to ashed before being mixed with the oil. Another way their approach differs is that instead of being placed on the skin, the ointment is then rubbed over small incisions in the skin which is thought to help the body absorb the healing properties better.

Salves and poultices have been around since the beginning.They are also two of the easiest to make. But yet, they seem the most intimidating. Our society has become accustomed to taking a pill or throwing on a ready made ointment instead of just reaching outside our doors for the answer. Our skin is great at obsorbing and distributing the helpful elements where they need to go. Unfortunately, that also means that the extra chemicals found in many over the counter topical treatments are also being absorbed.
I hope through this month's study, you will learn to make your own and make some for those around you. This way you can know what is going on and IN your skin.

Basic Salve Making/Anti-Itch Lotion

Topical Remedies

As we talked about in the first section, there are several types of topical remedies in herbal medicine. Poultices, salves, lotions and liniments (which we will talk about more next month) are the main types. There are many variations of these. Everything from a simple application of fresh aloe to complex facial creams. What I am hoping to teach you this month, is how you can take a simple recipe and "tweak" it to suit your needs. Change the oils or herbs, add vitamin e or essential oils. Use these recipes as is or as a jumping off point for your own medicine making.

Poultices

As basic as it gets is a "spit poultice". This method isn't for everyone and isn't for every poultice. We used them often when we are at the park and get a fire ant bite or other small scrape. Picking a piece or two of plantain and chewing them slightly to "bruise" the leaves. You then take the damp herbs and place them directly on the wound or bite.

Another type of poultice involves mixing whole fresh herbs with water or oil (sometimes honey as discussed in the first section) and applying them directly to the skin or in a bundle and soaked in oil or animal fat and applied. An example of this type of poultice would be the cabbage leaf put on the engorged breast of a nursing mother. Also applying comfy leaf to a burn or wound. These are often held in place with a bandage or piece of cloth.

Additionally, poultices made with clay are a great option for drawing out infection or to calm nerves. This poultice recipe is one that I created for my mother when she had shingles and gave her great relief. This recipe has since been used by others with the same effects.

Shingles salve paste
Ingredients:
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Goldenseal
Rosemary
Tea Tree Oil
Clay (French green clay, European clay powder, etc)
Instructions:
Take a small, equal amount of each thing except the tea tree oil and clay.
Add a couple cups of water and boil until about half the water is gone.
Strain it (throw away solids), then add a couple drops of tea tree oil.
Add enough clay to make a paste that you can spread on the affected area.
Leave on about 15-20 minutes (it will dry out after a little bit).

Basics of Salve Making

Making salves is easier than it seems. Many people are intimidated by this remedy with little need to be. There may be some trial and error until you find the consistency you want as some people want a more firm lotion than others. Below is a basic recipe that you can add different herbs to and try different carrier oils. Make this your own.
Salves start with an infused oil. There are two ways to infuse an oil. The first is with time. Much like a tincture, you can add the desired herbs to a bottle of oil (you can use the bottle that the oil comes in if you empty a little of it out first). Many people prefer this method for more delicate herbs like Saint John's Wort. This process involves adding the fresh herbs to the oil and leaving it (some people say in the sun) for a month or more.

A second, quicker method is to infuse the oil with heat. This process, while faster, requires much attention and watching the oil. For this process, use a double boiler and place the oil of your choice (olive, hemp seed, grape, almond etc). Add fresh or dried herbs to the oil and allow to be in the warm oil for at least an hour. You need to keep a very close eye the oil so that you do not end up "deep frying" your herbs. Some oils will boil at a lower temp than others so it is imperative that you watch it very closely. Additionally, keep an eye on the water level as you may need to add more part way through. Your oil will be ready when the herbs have been incorporated into the oil which is generally visible by color changes in the oil. When finished strain the herbs and reserve the oil. These oil can be stored for several months to several years depending on the oil type and amount of water in the initial plants.
Once you have infused the oil, you can move on to making your salve. Below is a basic recipe for a salve that you can change for your needs.

Basic Salve Recipe
10-20 drops of essential oils (depending on preference and amount of oil used)
1 Parts natural beeswax
4-8 Parts herb infused oil (4 parts oil will give you a firmer salve almost like a lotion bar. 8 parts oil will give you a creamy salve like a neosporin)
Add beeswax (err on the side of caution by adding less than you think you will need to start. You can always add more beeswax if needed but you can't take it out once it's there) and essential oil to warm infused oil. You may need to return oil to the double boiler if it has cooled too much. Stir until beeswax is dissolved. It will appear that there isn't enough beeswax when it is warm. Do not let this fool you. Add to jars and cover. Once cooled, you will know if you added enough beeswax. If you would like your salve thicker/more solid you can rewarm and add more beeswax.

Lotions

Lotions are very similar to salves with one major difference, the beeswax. They generally are made with an infused oil and coconut oil. The attached recipe is for my anti-itch lotion. In order to incorporate the oil into the coconut oil, a food processor works best. You could also use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer to reach the same effect. However, you can use just a simple whisk if that is all you have. If you decide to use a whisk, you will either need to whisk for a while as you would egg whites to make meringue or you will need to mix as well as you can and the lotion will separate between uses. This is not a problem. I made my lotions this way for many years. It will simply require you reheat the lotion when you want to use it (a microwave for a couple seconds works fine). Once it is warm, replace the cover of the jar and shake to re-mix.

Topical remedies have been around a long time. We still use them now any time we use a hand lotion, neosporin or calamine lotion. These are just more simple, natural ways to do the same thing. Play with the recipes and create your own formulas. You will be happy you did.