First, I would encourage you to talk with your medical caregiver (physician, midwife, or nurse practitioner) concerning your health goals and discuss your options, including any herbal or nutritional supplements you are taking.

Secondly, educate yourself about health and healing. There are numerous books and internet sites to help you find the treatments best suited to your physical and emotional needs.

Herbs can be administered either as a tea, tincture (liquid), or in capsules.

Guidelines for Use:

Teas - 6 oz of hot water with 1 teabag or 1 tsp. dried herb steeped for 5-10 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups per day.

Tinctures - alcohol based (or non-alcohol forms) liquids in which the medicinal or active ingredients are extracted. Usual dosage is 20-40 drops 2-3 times daily.

Capsules - plants are dried, ground and placed in capsules. Follow label directions, usually 1-2 capsules 2-3 times daily.

Some common herbs used are:

Acidophillus - used to maintain the normal or healthy bacteria in the bowel, often used to treat "yeast" or candida infections.

Alfalfa - a very good nutritive, mixed with food or as a tea.

Astragalus - a Chinese herb which strengthens the immune system.

Bilberry - high in antioxidants, especially helpful for the eyes.

Black Cohosh - proven to relieve hot flashes of menopause, best if used with soy foods.

Black Haw (cramp bark) - reduces menstrual cramping and can help prevent miscarriage.

Black Walnut - good antiseptic herb - used for fungal or candida infections.

Blue Cohosh - "female herb", often used to stimulate labor, not recommended before due date.

Calendula - my favorite healing herb, cleanses wounds and encourages rapid growth of healthy tissue.

Cat's Claw - rain forest herb shown to reduce inflammation and swelling, and enhance immunity.

Comfrey Leaf - a great plant for external healing of wounds as salves or ointments.

  Dandelion - provides support for proper liver function and is a mild diuretic.

Dong Quai - a female herb, excellent for hormone balancing, often called the female Ginseng.

Echinacea - reduces length and severity of colds and flu, helps the body to make white blood cells to defend against infections.

Elderberry - excellent for upper respiratory colds and flu.

Evening Primrose Oil - provides relief from PMS especially if combined with calcium.

Fenugreek - good for relieving congestion, also helps build a milk supply during breastfeeding, can balance blood sugar levels.

Feverfew - contains anti-inflammatory properties, especially effective for migraine headaches.

Flax - seeds or meal, a must to add to the diet for the proper essential fatty acids.

Garlic - maintains healthy blood vessels, reduces cholesterol, also, raw garlic fends off colds and flu.

Ginger - great for upset stomach and nausea, also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginkgo - dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow, especially to the brain. Do not use with blood thinners.

Glucosamine Sulfate - help to repair and maintain joints damaged by arthritis.

Guggul - a resin shown to reduce cholesterol without the side effects of drugs.

Hawthorn - a good heart tonic which helps regulate heart beat and blood pressure, often used with CoQ10.

Horehound - a folk remedy proven to be effective for coughs.

Kava Kava - an herb from the Pacific with a calming, relaxing effect. Use only in recommended doses, for short periods of time only.

Kudzu - a weed now overtaking the south, great for hypertension.

Lemon Balm - helps to calm the nerves and stomach. When applied to a herpes outbreak, can sooth and help heal quickly.

Licorice - great soother of coughs and colds but should only be used for short periods of time.

Nettles (stinging nettles) - relief from allergies without drowsiness. Often used with Quercetin (a yellow bioflavanoid).

Mullein - my favorite for upper respiratory congestion and coughs.

Milk Thistle - used extensively to treat conditions of the liver or during chemotherapy to help the liver detoxify the body.

Peppermint - a pleasant tea to help digestion, often used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases as well.

Red Clover - full of helpful isoflavones, the healthy components of soy, promotes good breast health and relieve hot flashes.

St. John's Wort - very effective mood balancer, helps with depression, anxiety or moodiness (do not take with pharmaceutical anti-depressants).

Saw Palmetto - promotes prostate health and reduces BPH. Best when taken with zinc supplement.

Scullcap - a mild relaxant and good pain reliever.

Siberian Ginseng - all ginsengs are good, but this is my favorite to promote optimum functioning of body systems, increases stamina and supports a healthy immune system.

Slippery Elm - coats and soothes GI tract, relieving indigestion and heartburn.

Tea Tree Oil - applied topically, will clear acne, toe nail fungus, cold sores and athletes foot.

Uva Ursi - a disinfectant for the urinary tract treats bladder infections.

Vitex - (Chaste Tree Berry) - used for hormone balancing, PMS and menstrual irregularities.

Valerian - promotes relaxation and sleep.

Yucca - relieves inflammation and painful joints.