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 HERBS: A SENSATION OF TASTE!
EXPERIENCE: [ < L. experiri, to try] anything or everything observed or lived through I don't know who said it but ... "Experience is the best teacher." We all come into this world already fully equipped with this mode of learning - it is basic, you could say instinctual! Using your senses allows us to have a full experience with whatever we encounter. It is the best way to approach the plants and they make it very easy for us. We are attracted by the beauty of their colors, the fragrance of their aromas and the variety of their tastes. Using these and our other senses we can discover the many uses of these wonderfully healing teachers. The ACTIONS of Herbs (a limited sampling) The understanding of actions and the way they may be used in combination is fundamental to a holistic approach. This can be decided by looking at the chemical make-up of the plants. Most plants display more than one action, however. This information becomes an aid in deciding which herbs to use for treatment. ALTERATIVE: are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were once known as "blood cleansers". ANALGESIC/ANODYNE: are herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the case. ANTICATARRHAL: help the body remove excess catarrhal (mucus) build-ups. ANTI-EMETIC: can reduce a feeling of nausea and can help to relieve or prevent vomiting. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: help the body to combat inflammations. ANTI-MICROBIAL: herbs can help the body to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms. AROMATIC: have a strong and often pleasant odor and can stimulate the digestive system. ASTRINGENT: contract tissue by precipitating proteins and can thus reduce secretions and discharges. They contain high tannins. BITTER: Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds. CARMINATIVE: are rich in volatile oils and by their action stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach, thereby supporting the digestion and helping against gas in the digestive tract. DEMULCENT/MUCILAGINOUS: are usually rich in mucilage, containing gelatinous constituents and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue. RUBEFACIENT: applied external to the ski causing a gentle local irritation and stimulate the dilation of the capillaries, thus increasing circulation in the skin. The blood is drawn from deeper parts of the body into the skin and thus often internal pains are relieved. SEDATIVE/HYPNOTIC: calm the nervous system and reduce stress and nervousness throughout the body; often inducing sleep. STIMULANT: quicken and enliven the physiological function of the body. RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS
Medicinal Herbalism:
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Cosmetics & Body Care:
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