Herbology 101

​Caroline L’Impératrice, MscD.

Holistic Health & Wellness ​Associate

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical or professional advice. Should you have a pre-existing medical condition, please consult your trusted health-care practitioner.
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Our relationship with herbs and plants as remedies started a long time ago. Think of Georg Ebers’ 1872 purchase of a medical Papyrus, a 20-meter scroll dating from 1,600 B.C., summarizing 1,000 years of Egyptian medicine. It describes over 870 formulas based on 500 different plants. In the year 500, Ancient Egyptians were known as the best doctors of the Mediterranean.

Plants and herbs can provide surface-level healing, deep healing, or everyday maintenance. While some people are more interested in their spiritual properties, others are more interested in the numerous scientific studies published on medical platforms such as PubMed to further their knowledge. No matter how you approach it, it is absolutely worth the attention.
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One thing I always emphasize when diving into any kind of natural therapy is to first seek out a professional in the field. I only scratch the surface in this article, therefore more in-depth research is necessary. Herbs are wonderful tools to work with but can be harmful when used incorrectly. It is best to consult naturopaths or herbalists, and to verify if there are any contraindications, especially if you are taking pharmaceuticals, pregnant or breastfeeding.

The interactions between plants, foods and pharmaceuticals must be considered diligently. Some herbs and OTC drugs do NOT mix. There are online resources you can use to cross reference plants and pharmaceuticals (such as Medscape’s Drug Interaction Checker), but consult your physician first. The goal here is to improve your wellbeing, not complicate it. Being responsible and well-informed goes a long way, even for alternative therapies.

Herbs’ main functions
There are thousands of plants to choose from. To facilitate the process, herbs and plants in herbal therapy are divided into three main functions:

1. To cleanse and unclog excretory system organs (such as the skin, the intestines, the lungs, the kidneys, the lymph).
2. To correct imbalances, acting directly on the symptoms and allowing the body to heal itself.
3. To invigorate and maintain the body by increasing energy.

You can start by using herbs for a specific function, for example a sedative in case of tension, and then go back to the source of the discomfort for a thorough healing: focusing on an overall herbal treatment instead of only focusing on the disappearance of symptoms. Herbal mixtures can be designed as much to influence the entire recovery of the body as to correct any dysfunction.

It is also possible to use single plants and have them succeed each other at intervals, for example: a single plant for the liver, then another for the kidneys, and finally one that promotes assimilation. The benefit of this technique is that it allows the identification of plants that are not tolerated or that prove ineffective for you.

Single herbal treatments should be considered first when pharmaceuticals are a part of the healing process. The intervention of plants is always appropriate, whether in combination or by progressive substitution, or used in conjunction with medical means, under the guidance of your physician and naturopath. Herbal blends can be used by those who are free of all pharmaceuticals, and a cross reference should be done to determine interactions.

Herbal recommended use
Always follow the instructions indicated for the herbal treatment, or the ones recommended by your naturopath. Your situation may require a specific dosage which can be adjusted in time. It is sometimes necessary to start an herbal treatment in small doses in order to evaluate your response to the herbs.

Method of preparation
Depending on the part of the plant used (flowers, leaves, roots, bark, seeds), there are different ways to prepare the mixture. The two most popular are infusions (soaking flowers or leaves in water or a liquid) and decoctions (roots or bark boiled for about 5-10 minutes). Ask your naturopath for the precise preparation instructions of your herbs.

Herbs to start with today
You probably already have a few of these popular ones at home: peppermint, sage, rosemary, chamomile, Echinacea, thyme. These ‘staple’ herbs are typically used to season food, but they pack therapeutic power!
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In proper quantity, they can be used for their anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-infection, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, laxative and diuretic properties, to boost and support the immune and lymphatic system, ease muscles spasms, soothe nerves, promote relaxation, increase energy, improve appetite, help with insomnia, reduce tooth ache, alleviate stress and fatigue, as pain relief, for their effectiveness against candida, yeast infections, skin fungus, sore throats and much more!
Open your pantry and refrigerator, see what herbs are already in your possession. Look them up, get to know them more and see how they already add a healing component to your meals.

Preservation and storage
Dried herbs can be stored in amber glass jars, brown paper bags or zip lock bags. Properly label the jars or bags with the names of the plants in English (and Latin, preferably), including the dates of harvest or purchase. Store your herbs away from heat, moisture and light. Usually, flowers and leaves can be stored for a year, dried roots for 2 years, and seeds and bark for 3 to 5 years, whereas crushed or finely chopped plants will not keep for a long time.

In conclusion, this may seem like a lot of information all at once, but trust me when I say that it only gets more fascinating! Be enchanted by Mother Nature’s healing gifts while using discernment. As one of my teachers says: ‘‘Never put a strange herb in your mouth! Know your herbs well!’’. Use one alternative therapy at a time, keep it simple to experience gradual change, journal your experiences, and stay in touch with your naturopath and physician for a safe journey in the natural wellness universe.

Joyfully,
Caroline 

Caroline L'lmpératrice, MscD. 

Caroline is a Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach & Metaphysician. She is known for her joyful energy, her power to “turn your Inner Light back on” and inspiring people to shift their mindset from self-imposed limitations to infinite possibilities. In 2007, after dealing with chronic inflammatory issues for years, she started her natural healing journey by reconnecting with her body's capacity to heal itself and consciously applying the power of her mind. Graduated in professional theater, her passion and interests then turned towards becoming a holistic lifestyle coach, motivating her to complete various trainings in healthy eating, herbal and essential oil care, homemade natural products, energy healing, holistic consultation and applied metaphysics. As part of her new career path, she participated in several projects in the holistic wellness field, as well as in international cooperation, community development and intercultural exchange through local immersion trips in Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Florida and California. Today, she guides others on their path of self-knowledge, self-healing and self-realization by making natural lifestyle choices, cultivating empowering thought patterns/belief systems, and taking inspired action from the heart to consciously create the reality they desire to experience. @Wildflowers_in_the_sun