RETURN to Article Directory Medicinal Herbs and Energy Medicine              by Vicki Matthews, ND Download Article Here Summary Points: 1.                  Everything is Energy (E=MC2). 2.                  In general, matter of a higher energy vibration is causal on matter of a lower energy vibration. 3.                  Energy Medicine usually addresses causal patterns in substance with a higher vibration than physical substance.  Ultimately, changes made in these less dense (or more subtle) realms will create changes in the physical. 4.                  It is also possible to create changes at the physical level with physical substances.  But, if the causal patterns originate in the more subtle realms, changes made by physical substances will not be permanent.  Permanent healing must address the causal patterns at whatever level they occur. 5.                  However, physical substances can be used to create short term changes at the physical level while the changes at the more subtle levels are taking effect.  This supports the physical during the time healing is in process at the more subtle energy levels. 6.                  Physical level interventions can include those offered by traditional medicine, as well as more alternative approaches.  If possible, I suggest trying the more natural approaches first, as the energy frequencies of nature more closely match the energy frequencies of our bodies, which are made from Nature.  7.                  At the level of natural support for the body, a particularly good match is seen between our physical bodies and the plant kingdom.   For most people, plants provide good food and good medicine. 8.                  To understand why, it is necessary to understand just a bit about the physical mechanisms of the body.   One Minute Biology Lesson:  Stuff In à Stuff Happens à Stuff Out. 9.                  When the body is sick or diseased, even though the causal mechanism is probably in the more subtle energy realms, what manifests at the physical level is an inability of the body to do some part of the above equation well.  10.              Herbs help well at this level because their action in the body is to feed the body tissue, heal the body tissue, and cleanse the body tissue. 11.              Generally, herbs work in specific body systems, and they can be classified based on their action on a system: a)                 Detoxifying herbs: these herbs help to remove toxins and poisons that build up when the “stuff out” doesn’t make it all the way out.  These are herbs that help to cleanse the physical level, system by system. b)                 Tonic herbs: these herbs have a healing and building effect on the physical tissue and can assist the body in healing and rebuilding tissue damaged by accident or internal toxic exposure. c)                  Symptom relief: these herbs help to relieve the symptoms associated with the disease condition or accident, and thereby make it easier for the body to cleanse and heal. 12.              When deciding to use herbs for their medicinal effect, it is important to know not only how the herb works in the body, but what species and part of the herb is most medicinal.  Echinacea is a good example: a)                 Echinacea augustifolia more medicinal than other species. b)                 Most medicinal part is the root. c)                  Works by building immune system, not destroying bacteria. 13.              When using medicinal herbs on yourself or another, it is important to remember that herbs affect the physical body in much the same way pharmaceuticals do, and drug/herb interactions are possible, even likely, in some cases.  Always check with a qualified herbalist.  And always have someone energy test you with the substance! 14.              Also, it is important to use herbal products from reputable suppliers; herbs are big business these days and lots of companies are jumping on the bandwagon.  Unfortunately, they don’t know that much about the herbs and the best way to handle them, and can frequently destroy part of the medicinal value in their rush to get a product to market.  I trust Dr. Christopher products and Nature’s Way, because I have checked them out. 15.              As stated, there are specific herbs which work on specific systems, and many good books out there cover these in detail.  I like Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. John Christopher, Natural Healing with Herbs by Humberto Santillo, and Dr. Mom by Sandra Ellis for specific information. However, a brief summary of herbs that are helpful for specific systems follows here. Important Herbs and How they Help Create Health in the Body To use herbs most effectively, it is helpful to understand how herbs can help the body do what it is trying to do. Circulatory System: this system moves all kinds of stuff around the body: the stuff going in, happening, and going out.  If it cant do this for any reason, we get sick fast.  So, herbs that help the circulatory system to keep stuff moving around are really important. What might interfere at a physical level with the circulatory system?  >                    Poor lifestyle can cause: >                    cholesterol build-up >                    rigidity of vessels >                    thickening of blood (dirty) >                    heart problems What are some of the herbs that can help the body to repair these problems? Garlic (Allium sativum): lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good (HDL) which also fights bad, cleanses blood, adjusts blood pressure, and stops LDL from attaching to vessel walls.  Raw is best, 4 cloves daily.  Or Kyolic formula #101: 2 caps 2xd Cayenne (Capsicum anuum): cleanses and thins blood (better than aspirin), improves circulation, regulates blood pressure, dilates blood vessels, increases metabolic rate and gives more energy.   2 caps 2xd or 15 drops 2xd.  This is such an important herb, I do want to mention a few other cases about it.  It will stop bleeding anywhere in body in 30 seconds.  In emergency cases, it works to equalize blood pressure all over the body instantly. Dick Quinn, author of Left for Dead, swears it saved his life. Lecithin (H2O soluable fat from soybeans, don't get from eggs): binds with cholesterol and carries out of body, also nutritionally soy helps to lower cholesterol.  Make sure get right kind (phospholipid content no less than 98%, calcium content at 6% RDA).  2 TB daily. Hawthorne Berry (Crataegus oxycantha): contains building blocks for heart tissue, helps strengthen and repair heart tissue.  Usually in syrup form: 1 tsp 3xd or 10 caps 3xd Ginkgo biloba: good for peripheral circulation (helps with recovery from stroke, Alzheimer, depression, etc.)  60mg caps 2xd, 3 dropper 2xd. Gotu kola: good for circulation and general health.  High in natural aluminum (great help with Alzheimer) 2-4 caps 2xd Immune System.  This is a very complex system that uses the blood stream as well as the lymph system to protect our bodies from invasion by disease.  What might interfere with the immune system? >                    poor health/run down >                   large invasion of bacteria, virus, etc. >                    emotional stress What are some of the herbs that can help the body to repair these problems? Garlic (Allium sativum): this is Nature's antibiotic.  It is said that 4 cloves of fresh garlic are equivalent to an adult dose of penicillin.  Garlic kills germs (myrrh and goldenseal do, too), and it is easy to have around and use. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): this is a great herb for the glands, which are part of the lymph system.  It tends to open things up and allow for cleansing and healing in swollen, congested areas. Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia): this is one of the current poster children for herbal medicine.  It is great for boosting the immune system, but must use wisely.  Respiratory System:  This is how we provide oxygen (needed to fuel the breaking down of stuff into useable components) to our body.  It is also a complex system and involves gas exchange (O2 in CO2 out) in the lungs.  What might interfere with the respiratory system? >                    build up of mucus (lifestyle and food) >                    smoking >                    infection What are some of the herbs that can help the body to repair these problems? Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): this is a great herb for glands, but it is also important for breathing just because it tends to open things up and allow for cleansing and healing in congested areas. Horseradish (Cochleria amoracia): this is good for opening the sinus cavities to aid breathing.  Take a big chunk of raw root, grate it and inhale it.  Then, mix it into some apple cider vinegar to form a pulp and take  to 1 teaspoon of this (chewing well before swallowing) 3xd. Ephedra (Ephedra vulgaris): this is an excellent broncho-dialator and expectorant, and is found in many respiratory combinations.  It has been improperly used to try to raise metabolic rates for dieting, and should be used with caution or not at all with blood pressure problems. Skeletal System.  This is what holds us all together.  In addition to our bones, it includes our skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  Each cell in this system needs nutrients to survive and heal, and to have waste removed.  What might interfere with the function of the skeletal system? >                    accident or injury >                    inherited weakness >                    poor diet (arthritis) >                    illness (measles, tumors, etc.) What are some of the herbs that can help the body to repair these problems? Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): this is a cell proliferant; it helps new cells to grow, especially in the skin and bone areas of the body. Comfrey is wonderful for: healing broken bones or any kind of skin injury, like burns, cuts, bruises, etc. quickly, easing and correcting certain forms of arthritis, and healing any soft tissue injuries. Plantain (Plantago media): a good herb for drawing poisons to and through the skin. Nervous System.  This is how we send information all over the body to help each area do its job.  This is the information system of the body.  What might interfere with the nervous system: >                    stress >                    poor lifestyle >                    disease >                    injury What are some of the herbs that can help the body to repair these problems? Lobelia (Lobelia inflata): this has been called the thinking herb because when it is used in combination formulas, it can increase the effectiveness and take the formula to the exact place in the body that it is needed.  But, it is also a great herb by itself, mostly for its calming properties. It can also be used to help stop smoking and as an emetic. Valerian (Valerian officinalis): contrary to popular belief, this is not where valium comes from.  Valerian is a wonderful herb that smells horrible, especially the root, and of course, it is the root that is the most medicinal.  Valerian works on the nervous system to calm and soothe upset nerves.  It helps people who are agitated to relax, aids in insomnia and can help in depression B&B Tincture: (black cohosh, blue cohosh, blue vervain, skullcap, lobelia) combo that has been known to help damaged nerve tissue regenerate. In Closing There wasn’t time to cover other systems of the body (like digestive or reproductive), but there are herbs that can help support the physical body in these cases, as well. I encourage you all to “read more about it” and always check with a qualified herbalist and Energy Medicine practitioner if you have any questions.