4 particular herbs

[Aldon]

I mentioned this at HMSCARRIE's get together and said if I could remember to look up the information, I would post it.....:hurray:I remembered for a change!

I have a DVD that Bob Ellertson put together on personal preparedness. Titled "Every Needful Thing"

In that video, he goes over some herbs etc... that we might wish to have on hand.

4 of them he indicated that Brigham Young said would prove useful in the latter days.

These are, YARROW, COMFREY, CHAPARRAL and BRIGHAM TEA

I am not an herbalist but if BY really endorsed these, I would like to have some on hand.

Anyone know if this is true?

[Julie]

They mean nothing to have on hand if you do not know what to do with them. I would add mullen, lobelia, and garlic to the list. There are more and I'm sure I'll remember them later.:l0 (14):

[geanienut]

They mean nothing to have on hand if you do not know what to do with them. I would add mullen, lobelia, and garlic to the list. There are more and I'm sure I'll remember them later.:l0 (14):

Do you have a good book that you would recommend on what these herbs are for and how one can use them? I would love to learn something new..
Thanks for your time.

[Julie]

I would recommend these books for starters

Herbal Home Health Care
by Dr. John R. Christopher

This is an excellent reference volume of natural health care for both children and adults. It lists diseases in convenient alphabetical order with concise definitions, symptom descriptions, causes and herbal aids. Other natural treatments are outlined, including the cold sheet treatment, the incurables program, detoxification and the mucusless diet. A book for every family. Newly updated in 2004.

School of Natural Healing
by Dr. John R. Christopher

Christopher Publications is proud to offer this beautiful edition of Dr. Christopher?s world renowned work. This text combines his methods and famous formulas in an easy-to-use volume for personal and classroom study. Now expanded, revised and updated, this book will enlighten generations to come.

Dr. Mom's Healthy Living
by Sandra Ellis, MH

In Dr. Mom's Healthy Living, Master Herbalist Sandra Ellis shares her experiences in natural healing; showing you how to take responsibility for your own health through the use of diet, exercise, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, and other natural modalities. Includes the text from the original Dr. Mom book. Sandra is a Master Herbalist Graduate of The School of Natural Healing, and is a featured instructor.

Herbs to the Rescue
by Kurt King, M.H.

An emergency first-aid herbal handbook. Herbs to the Rescue expounds herbs for specific diseases, along with 13 easily accessible first aid herbs. First aid techniques are also outlined. A wonderful book for hiking and camping to help in those unforeseen emergency situations.

Herbal Preparations DVD
by Debra Nuzzi St. Claire, MH

This wonderful set will help you learn to gather herbs and prepare them into tinctures, salves, ointments, oils and much more. Watch the process step-by-step on video, then do it yourself with help from the reference manual.

[thor610]

4 of them he indicated that Brigham Young said would prove useful in the latter days.

These are, YARROW, COMFREY, CHAPARRAL and BRIGHAM TEA


I second the books that were recommended.
Comfrey is an easy plant to grow.
Yarrow grows wild in many places.
I don't live in an area where chaparral and Brigham Tea grow.
Of the four mentioned, comfrey is my herb of choice.

[waif69]

But what do we do with them?

[thor610]

The first thing to remember about herbs is they are not to be used like a pharmaceutical. Pharmaceuticals attack symptoms. Herbs are more like aides to the body in helping it to solve its own problems. More like immune strengtheners. If any one tells you they have tried herbs and they didn't work it was either because they didn't know how to use them properly or the herbs they got were low quality or both.

To learn what to do with them takes some time to learn, but it is not difficult. Reading the books that are suggested above is a good starting point. If you would rather start reading on the internet, you can go to this thread that I posted some time ago: http://www.ldsglo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625

Any books by Dr. Christopher or Schulze are good places to start. I consider them the two best herbal doctors I have ever learned about. Dr. Christopher was an LDS man and Schulze was a student of his at one time. Schulze is very big on mixing cayenne with any of his formulas. It aids the other herbs to do their job more effectively.

The simplest way to use herbs is as a tea. And for many that is the best way to use them, but you can also make extracts, poultices, salves, ointments, oils and a variety of other ways with just the things you have in your kitchen. I consider an herbal garden and knowing how to use it part of my preparedness plan.

Here is also some medical info on the web that might prove useful. I haven't read the two books so don't know how they are:
http://www.healthwrights.org/books/WTINDonline.htm

and

http://healthwrights.org/books/WTINDentistonline.htm

[Julie]

YARROW

Botanical: Achillea millefolium (also known as Achillea lanulosa)
Family: Compositae (daisy) - Asteraceae (aster-sunflower)
Other common names: Bloodwort, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed,

Thousand-Leaf, Old Man's Pepper, Thousand Seal, Knight's Milfoil, Yarroway, Bad Man's Plaything, Stanchweed, Sanguinary, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Green Arrow, Thousand Leaf Gandana, Lady's Mantle*

*Important Note: There is another herb that is most frequently called Lady's Mantle, but it is an entirely different plant (Achemilla vulgaris) with different applications.

Yarrow has been used for thousands of years as a healer of wounds, helping to control hemorrhages and infection. The herb is also thought to have a wonderful tonic effect on the gastrointestinal system (easing indigestion, flatulence and dyspepsia) and act as a system purifier that rids the body of toxins through the skin and urinary tract. Yarrow is also used by herbalists to treat large amounts of fat (lipids) in the blood and high blood pressure.


History:
Yarrow is a hardy, herbaceous, creeping perennial that grows everywhere - in grass meadows, pastures and by roadsides - in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, thriving in well-drained soil in full sun and growing to a height of three feet. One of the plant's common names, Milfoil, refers to its "thousand leaves," which grow alternately on an erect central stem that bears white or pink flower heads with yellow centers. Yarrow is an extremely potent plant; one small leaf will speed up the decomposition of a wheelbarrow-full of raw compost, and Yarrow's root secretions will frequently activate the disease-resistance of nearby plants in a garden. Moreover, it is said to intensify the medicinal actions of other herbs. As a garden plant, Yarrow is known to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs; and the leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine as an aromatic, cooling, bitter astringent herb with powerful healing qualities. Since the dawn of man, Yarrow appears to have been used as a healer. An archaeological excavation unearthed a forty- to sixty-thousand-year-old Neanderthal, who carried Yarrow, as well as other herbs, proving its historical value.

Yarrow has long been associated with divination and clairvoyance and was considered "sacred" to the Druids, who used the stems to foretell the weather, and in China, the dried stems were employed to see into the future and acquire wisdom. Legend also claims that Yarrow grows on the grave of Confucius. It was even thought to be associated with evil and earned further common names, such as Devil's Plaything and Bad Man's Plaything, among others, and was used in casting spells and as a mild sedative. Historically, Yarrow was employed mainly to stop the flow of blood and treat wounds.

The botanical genus, Achillea, refers to the Greek legend of Achilles, who used Yarrow in an ointment during the Trojan War to stop the flow of blood in the wounds of his soldiers. (It is a wonder that Achilles ever had a vulnerable heel at all, while using Yarrow!) For centuries, Yarrow has been carried in battle because of its magical, as well as medicinal, properties. In 1653, the great English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, recommended Yarrow for its painkilling properties as a "profitable herb in cramps and pain." In North America, Native American warriors, including the Utes, used Yarrow to treat cuts and wounds, and the Zunis considered it a remedy for burns. The Navajo tribes considered it "life medicine," and chewed it for toothaches and poured an infusion into ears for earaches. Several tribes of the Plains region of the United States also valued Yarrow as a medicine: The Pawnees used the stalk for pain relief; the Chippewas used the leaves for headaches by inhaling it in a steam;

and finally, the Cherokees drank Yarrow tea to reduce fever and aid in restful sleep. Nineteenth-century Shakers, a religious sect, employed Yarrow as a treatment for a variety of ailments, from hemorrhages to flatulence. Yarrow was included in the United States Pharmacopoeia from

1863 to 1882 as a tonic stimulant and as a means for controlling menstruation. Traditional herbalists in Europe, China and India have used Yarrow to stanch minor bleeding and treat wounds and inflammation (especially in the intestinal and female reproductive tracts); and today, it is mainly used for colds, flu and for its positive effects on the circulatory, digestive and urinary systems. Some of the constituents (over forty have been isolated) in Yarrow include essential oils (including the anti-inflammatory, azulene), achilleic, formic and salicylic acids, resin, tannin, gum, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, coumarins, nitrates, phosphates, potash and lime chlorides, and vitamins A, C, E, F and K.

Beneficial Uses:
Yarrow is a stimulating tonic for the digestive tract. Traditionally, the herb was used as a "stomachic" or agent that strengthens the stomach and digestive functions. The presence of the bitter principles, azulenes and sesquiterpenes, stimulates the production of gastric juices, helping to speed the processing and elimination of foods. Yarrow has been used to improve the appetite and ease gastrointestinal inflammation, flatulence, dyspepsia and indigestion. Moreover, Yarrow encourages bile flow and is thought to balance the function of the liver and has a positive influence on secretions produced throughout the alimentary canal (the mucous-membrane-lined tube of the digestive system, extending from the mouth to the anus, including the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines).

As an antispasmodic, Yarrow is believed to soothe smooth-muscle spasms (also helping to improve certain gastrointestinal conditions). It relieves general cramping and menstrual cramps.

Yarrow is believed to help purify the system. As a diuretic, the herb promotes the release of toxic wastes (including uric acid) through increased urine flow, which is also helpful in cases of many urinary problems. As a strong, soothing diaphoretic, Yarrow naturally increases the body's temperature, opens skin pores and stimulates free perspiration, thereby increasing the elimination of toxins through the skin. By inducing sweat, the herb also helps to lower fever, which is particularly useful for feverish illnesses, especially colds, flu and measles. Yarrow helps to purify the blood of morbid waste material, which must be eliminated in sickness, and Yarrow's tonic action is most invigorating and will greatly assist nature's own measures to remove congestion and disease.

As an astringent, Yarrow has been used to treat diarrhea, especially mucous diarrhea, hemorrhoids and excessive menstruation and bladder conditions, particularly relating to involuntary urination in children.

Yarrow may be good for cardiovascular health. It is thought to lower blood pressure, help hypertension and protect against thrombosis after a stroke or heart attack. It is also said to relax peripheral blood vessels and be good for thrombotic conditions, whereby a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or is formed in a heart cavity. Yarrow is believed to reduce large amounts of fat (lipids) in the blood, thereby further helping to ease high blood pressure.

Considered an anti-inflammatory with pain-relieving qualities, Yarrow has been used to help ease the discomforts of rheumatism, gout and arthritis, and provide relief for menstrual pain and headache. Modern research confirms the historical use of Yarrow as a pain reliever for many conditions. Sterols and triterpenes stop the inflammatory processes, restore circulation and accelerate healing. These compounds stop the formation of enzymes for chemical reactions that cause inflammation and pain. The sesquiterpene lactones stop the action of pain-provoking hormones called prostaglandins.

Yarrow has been used for centuries as a hemostatic, an agent that controls or stops the flow of blood. It has been used internally to control hemorrhaging from the lungs and the bowels, among other applications. Externally, the herb has been a reliable remedy for healing wounds and arresting the blood flow from shaving cuts, nosebleeds, etc. Because it is believed to be so effective and quick when used in this manner, it is always wise to clean a cut first (before applying Yarrow), because the herb may begin the healing process while the dirt and infection are still within the wound. Of course, all deep or infected wounds should be treated by a doctor.

In recent tests, Yarrow demonstrated antibiotic and antibacterial qualities that appeared to kill many kinds of bacteria found on human skin and destroyed pain-causing infection. It was also effective against yeast infections and microbial infections and boils.

When used externally, Yarrow makes an excellent tonic lotion for oily skin (with eruptions), inflamed eyes, ulcers and wounds, and is a fine addition to a relaxing bath and steam facial.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Pregnant or nursing women should not use Yarrow, as it is a uterine stimulant, nor should women with heavy periods or pelvic inflammatory disease. Continued or long-term use of Yarrow may cause skin irritation and/or allergic reactions. If so, discontinue its use. Yarrow may produce photosensitivity. If using Yarrow to treat wounds, be sure to clean the affected area first, as the herb can stop blood flow so quickly that it may seal in dirt or other contaminants. People with gallstones should avoid its use. Yarrow may cause severe allergic skin rashes when applied topically.

[Julie]

Comfrey, the Miracle Herb
How to Use Comfrey for Medicinal Purposes

Medicinal Uses of Comfrey

Comfrey has been known for centuries as a priceless herb for wounds, sprains, bruises, and even broken bones in both people and other animals. Farmers have long fed comfrey to their livestock for various ailments or as a spring tonic after a long winter of standing in the typical barnyard mire beneath overcast skies. Farmers have also fed comfrey to their families as a nearly unparalleled source of protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, and C. To that end, it can be eaten in salads, sauteed along with other vegetables, or drunk as a comforting tea.

While comfrey has finally gained some acceptance from the ?official? medical community, there is also a quite a bit of fear surrounding the consumption of comfrey. Recently, the FDA banned comfrey from all commercially produced herbal supplements. Bear in mind that the FDA decided to ban the plant only after injecting unnaturally large amounts of the plant's inherent alkaloids into animal test subjects, which then died of liver failure, just as they would have had the alkaloids been extracted from a carrot, concentrated, and injected into their bloodstreams. If nothing else, know that under no circumstances should a pregnant or nursing woman ingest comfrey. That's a commandment that should be heeded and taken seriously for many herbs. Consider yourself fairly warned in the name of science.

Fortunately, it is not necessary to ingest comfrey to reap its greatest medicinal benefits. Used externally, comfrey is completely safe, even for babies, and it is in its use as a wound dressing that comfrey's magic shines through. The next time you get a wound, sprain your ankle, burn yourself, or even break a bone, turn to comfrey for comfort. Of course, if you break your bone or get a serious burn, you'll want to head to the doctor right away, but as was mentioned before, even doctors are often forced to admit comfrey's power to speed the healing process. Comfrey's success as a healing agent is due to allantoin?a substance that speeds the production of new cells and aids in wound granulation (healing). Whether you're suffering a bruise, sprain, burn, cut, or busted bone, try making a comfrey poultice as the per the following instructions and prepare to be amazed:
Making a Comfrey Poultice

What you'll need:

* enough comfrey leaves to cover the affected area in a paste
* Purified water in some form?preferably distilled water or spring water
* a clean piece of gauze, large enough to cover the affected area
* something like an Ace bandage to wrap around the gauze and a pin or tape to hold it in place
* a blender or mortar and pestle
* a saucepan

Grind the leaves with a a mortar and pestle or place them in a blender with about half as much purified water as leaves. Grind or blend away at the comfrey and water until a paste is formed. If it's too soupy, add more leaves. Once you've got your leaves mashed in one way or another, you're ready to heat the paste. In a small saucepan, over very low heat so as not to scald the herbs, heat your mixture to a comfortable, soothing temperature, stirring constantly. Once the desired temperature is achieved, spread the paste thickly onto the gauze, place the gauze onto the wound, sprain, etc., and wrap with the bandaging material securely around the gauze pad. (NOTE: If you have an open wound such as a bite or gash, place a fresh gauze pad between the wound and the poultice paste so as not to introduce debris into the wound. For a scrape or scratch, direct introduction of the comfrey should be fine.) Secure with a safety pin or other sturdy fastening, and leave in place until the poultice has dried out, at which point you'll want to replace it with a fresh one.

I use it most in the formula called BF&C or now called Complete Tissue & Bone. I use this the most, at least daily. My husband gets moles and he puts this on them and they fall off. - Julie

Complete Tissue & Bone
Formerly the Bone, Flesh, & Cartilage Formula
Usage:

1. The bone, flesh, and cartilage combination, does wonders in restoring flesh and internal healing of bones and cartilage.

It can be taken in any of its forms, capsules, syrup, tea (internally and externally as a fomentation) and topically in a salve. All will do the job. The choice of how you take it depends on what the problem is.

2. This formula has done miraculous things with broken backs, legs, hips, etc. This formula has been used on curvature of the spine, polio, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, stroke and arthritis of the bone. This formula is used externally as well as orally and has brought tremendously fast results.

This formula is a "power house" and has been used on (and restored to health) cancer of the spine, arthritis and polio, and has helped rebuild torn cartilage and sinews, fractures, etc. etc.

Dosage:

1. Complete Tissue & Bone Salve is an ointment using an olive oil and beeswax base.

2. Complete Tissue & Bone Capsules or tea may also be taken daily: either two or three capsules three times daily or three cups of the tea.

3. Complete Tissue & Bone Fomentation: Soak the combined teas in distilled water (at the rate of one ounce of combined herbs to a pint of distilled water), then soaking four to six hours, simmer thirty minutes, strain and then simmer the liquid down to 1/2 its volume and add 1/4 vegetable glycerine (if desired). Example: One gallon of tea simmered (not boiled) down to two quarts and add one pint of glycerine.

Soak flannel, cotton, or any white material other than synthetics--never use synthetics. Wrap the fomentation (soaked cloth) around the malfunctioning area and cover with plastic to keep it from drying out. Leave on all night six nights a week, week after week, until relief appears.

4. Complete Tissue & Bone Fomentation: Another method. To make and use a fomentation: This is applying herbs to convey heat, moisture, and medicinal aid in order to relieve pain, to reduce inflammation, and to relax affected areas. Soak a Turkish towel or gauze or similar material in hot tea, lightly wring (just enough that the liquid will not run off the body), and place as hot as possible without causing blistering. Generally keep the fomentation moist and warm by placing plastics, oilcloth, etc., over fomentation. Dosage: Wet enough that the moisture will not run off the body, cover entire malfunction area, keep damp and change periodically.

5. Tea for Severe Cases: Drink 1/4 Cup of finished concentrated tea with 3/4 cup of distilled water three times in a day.

6. Stiff Neck: The following explanation of our "bone, flesh, and cartilage" formula is the most complete program for this condition of a stiff neck. The fomentation as it penetrates into the area will relax the muscles and feed the nerves so the bone structure (vertebra) will adjust itself. At the same time it will build up the blood circulation to carry off waste materials as well as feed the painful area with herbal food to put it into a healthy state of self healing. Soak flannel, cotton, or any white material other than synthetics--never use synthetics. Wrap the fomentation (soaked cloth) around the malfunctioning area and cover with plastic to keep it from drying out. Leave on all night six nights a week, week after week, until relief appears.

Ingredients:

oak bark
comfrey leaves
marshmallow root
mullein herb
walnut bark (or leaves)
gravel root
wormwood
lobelia
skullcap

Testimonials:

1. Movement in Body after 15 Years Immobility: While sitting in his family restaurant that used to be located in the University Mall, across the hall came the most grotesquely-built wheelchair the Doctor had ever seen; it was all out of shape, having been built for someone deformed. And sitting in the chair was one of the most deformed people he had seen. The lady's arms and legs and back were twisted out of shape. She was being pushed by a young lady, who took her right up to Dr. Christopher.

"I am surprised to see you, Dr. Christopher," the lady in the chair said, "I just had to stop and thank you; you have done so much for me."

He began to wonder what the thank-you could be, because she was terribly malformed.

She said that she had been like a vegetable for nearly fifteen years, having to be fed and given liquid to drink. She couldn't even raise a hand or leg. She started on the Incurables program, with some people helping her, and they put the BF & C fomentation down her crooked back and over other parts of her body--and she said,

"Just look at me now."

She was moving her hand, and she raised it off the wheelchair a little bit. She did the same with the other hand. She could turn her head and move her shoulders. She could even move her back a little, although it had not moved for those fifteen years previous. Grateful for her new life, she felt that she would live to get up out of that wheelchair and walk. She was so grateful for the formula. And Dr. Christopher said it would be a wonderful day when this young lady could walk and be on her own after fifteen years. [EWH p.116]

2. Scabs All Over Body: Here is an unusual case where Dr. Christopher used the B F & C formula on a young girl. He was lecturing in the Safford region of Arizona, and a man, who sponsored the lectures there, wished something could be done for his daughter, a teenager. They hated to sit down at the table with her, because she always scratched and picked at her head, digging the scabs out. The man brought her to the baths where the lecture series was located so Dr. Christopher could take a look at her.

The girl had red hair, but there wasn't much of it. You could see her scalp, covered with sores which could not be cleared up. Dermatologists and other specialists could do nothing to stop the irritation on her head.

Dr. Christopher had her use the B F & C combination as a fomentation on her head. She soaked a cotton stocking cap--white, he emphasized, as herb combinations should never react with dye--with the concentrated B F & C formula tea, wearing this at night with a bathing cap over it. This would be left on all night, six nights a week.
After three months, Dr. Christopher lectured in the area again, and the girl came to show him that the scabs were all gone. Within the first week the itching stopped, and the sores healed up. But the hair that had been so thin was thickening, and by the time Dr. Christopher came back, she had a good head of hair, beautiful red and full as it had been years before. [EWH p.12]

3. Grandmother's Face Hits Cement: "The main reason for writing to you was to tell you what happened to my husband's 92 year-old grandmother who was visiting with us late July. While she was sweeping our porch off, her shoe loosened and she was climbing a short flight of cement stairs. She tripped and fell flat on her face. Her daughter, my mother-in-law, heard her face hit the cement, very loud crack. Grandma was taken care of--for the first aid part--by my husband (who teaches first aid and advanced courses for the Red Cross) and she rested. Grandma did not want any ice of the face for fear of catching a cold, so only cool towels could be used. She rested and claimed she was feeling fine -- but oh, did she look terrible.
Almost immediately her face turned purple. She is a spry lady and she went on being her chipper self, even after the accident. The rest of the family had the hard time -- looking at grandma and feeling so bad for her. THEN -- tada -- my shipment from the Herb Shop came with the Complete Tissue & Bone syrup, the very next day. I convinced my mother-in-law to try some syrup on grandma's face -- to (hopefully) take the bruise away. Grandma had scraped her face on her nose and forehead, and the syrup felt immediately good, so the rest of her face was covered with it. The syrup is so simple to use, too.

The day the shipment came, grandma went to the doctor to make sure nothing had broken or was damaged that was not obvious to us. He assured her that everything was fine, but that the purple would change to green, yellow -- the whole schmeer! Also, her face would be swollen upon rising in the morning, but not to worry. Four days after the beginning application (2-3 times a day) her face was almost completely back to normal color. There had been no swelling in the morning, as the doctor predicted either. By the fourth day she was with her daughter in Hawaii for a visit and she called to tell me that her mother was feeling fine -- and looking back to normal." [NL 2-5]

4. Physical Injuries: Any physical injury to the kidneys, bladder, etc., can be remedied by the use of the Complete Tissue & Bone fomentation to the outside of the body. [NL 3-6]

5. Bone Spurs from Arthritis: I have tried your comfrey herb combination for dissolving calcified bone spurs (caused by arthritis when a teenager). My metatarsal arch in left foot was in such bad shape, it had become very painful to walk. The herb began bringing results immediately. [NL 3-7]

6. Broken Toe: I would like to relate the experience that I had with Dr. Christopher's BF & C. I was working in a kitchen when I dropped a #10 can on my large toe. The bone was crushed and even after proper care, it didn't set straight. Even though this was an old injury, I believed that Dr. Christopher's formula would help, even if it was only to relieve the discomfort. I made an ointment of the formula using olive oil as the base. I applied this ointment liberally on my toe, but after several weeks, to my surprise, my toe lost all structural support. I was naturally quite concerned, so I called Dr. Christopher, who wasn't very surprised, but told me to keep applying the ointment. I did and to my amazement, the cartilage formed, hardened into bone and now you can't even tell that it had been deformed. [NL 3-7]

7. Spinal Disorders and Backaches: Serious diseases such as degenerative arthritis account for less than 5% of back pain. We treated a lady once who had such a disease. One of her vertebrae was degenerated and the doctors had given up on healing her. The bone had holes eaten through. She refused to change her diet in any way but she agreed to try some herbs. A friend persuaded her to use the BF & C spinal formula as a nightly fomentation. in about six months the woman had grown a new vertebrae-that is, the old one was completely restored and regenerated. The ...formula is truly one of nature's herbal miracles and can be used wherever there is damage along the spine. Where tumors are present, one would want to add the elderberry tincture or some other form of high potassium food as an internal supplement.

Although we always want to work on the cause of backache, we can relieve the symptoms by using the cayenne heating balm. This consists of cayenne pepper, wintergreen oil, pure mint crystals, and other essential oils in a base of olive oil and untreated beeswax-apply sparingly to sore places. We have found that the Complete Tissue & Bone Ointment works well together with the cayenne ointment. One takes the other into the skin more quickly and brings relief. [NL 3-12]

8. Severe Cases of Skin Diseases: For the most severe cases of skin diseases in the advanced stage, use ... combination, internally and externally. Soak the combined herbs in distilled water (at the rate of one ounce of the combined herbs to the pint of distilled water) for four to six hours, simmer thirty minutes (do not boil), strain and then simmer the liquid down to one-half its volume. Example: One gallon of tea simmered down to two quarts of tea, which is called "concentrated" tea.
Soak flannel, cotton, or any white material other than synthetic--never use synthetic--wrap fomentation (soaked cloth) around the malfunction area and cover with plastic or wax paper, leave on all night six days a week and for as many weeks as needed until relief appears. Then continue a week or two for severe cases. Drink one fourth cup of finished concentrated tea with three-fourths cup of distilled water three times or more each day. [HHH p.68]

9. Scales/Psoriasis: After a lecture, a woman came to ask Dr. Christopher to help her daughter, about fourteen years old, who tried to commit suicide. This girl required constant adult supervision to prevent her from harming herself. She had a skin disease diagnosed as being worse than psoriasis or anything else the doctors had seen. Scales covered her arms from the elbows down, her legs from the knees down, and her neck and face, with secondary bleeding. Having suffered with this for so many years, the girl could not attend school any longer, and was isolated at home. She gained tremendous excess weight, because in order to pacify herself, she would eat all day. Her mother called her a fat blob! And because she was getting worse and worse, she tried to kill herself.

As usual when presented with a difficult problem, Dr. Christopher offered a quick prayer, asking for guidance. The formula for the BF & C came to him, step by step, and he told the woman to write it down. She wrote down all the herbs he mentioned, as well as the directions on how to put them together. ... After soaking one ounce of the combined herbs in a pint of distilled water for four to six hours, she would simmer the mixture for thirty minutes, strain, and then simmer the liquid down to half its original volume. This could be made in larger amounts, whatever was needed. The mother would dip cotton flannel in this tea, or white cotton or wool stockings to cover the legs, with other long stockings to cover the arms. After covering all affected parts with these soaked cloths, she should wrap the arms and legs with plastic bags. This should remain on the girl all night, every night, until the morning. After a period of fresh air each day, the process would be repeated.
The mother tried this, and her daughter was very cooperative. The program began on a Tuesday, and although this disease had been worsening for many years, by Friday of that week all the scales had dropped off, and the skin was pink, healing.
After six months, when Dr. Christopher lectured in that city again, he learned that this young lady was back in high school, participating as a cheerleader, being very active. She was on the three-day cleanse and mucusless diet, as well as the Blood Stream Formula tea, the blood cleansers. Staying with this, she went from a large fat blob into a slender, well-shaped girl, overcoming her weight problem as well as the skin infection. [EWH p.10]

10. Finger Regeneration: Once, when at a convention in the Northwest, a beautiful young lady came up to Dr. Christopher and his son, David. "How do you like my fingers?", she asked. They were well taken care of and the nails were done nicely. Dr. Christopher said, "Fine," and she asked, "Can you tell which finger has been cut off?" They couldn't tell. She showed him the finger that had been cut off; she used the BF & C, and the knuckle grew back, and the bone and flesh grew back in. The nail, which had been completely gone, grew back on, as pretty as the others. This was a truly unusual case of healing. [EWH p.11]

11. Cervical Arthritis: From a question to Dr. Christopher in his Newsletter. What could be done in a case where cervical arthritis is present, where X-rays show a narrowing of the interspace between C-5, C-6 and C-7, and where anterior and posterior spurs, heading for spondylosis, are present? Is there any way whereby the calcium deposits can be removed, extracted or eliminated to free the body from its painful burden?

We have seen numerous cases of the condition described in this question in most areas of the spine all the way from the Atlas Axis down to the tail base. After beginning the therapy with cleaning and mucusless dieting, they followed this procedure: make a fomentation of a tea combination which we call ... "comfrey combination"... Soak the combined teas in distilled water at a rate of one pint of distilled water to one ounce of combined herbs. Continue the soaking from four to six hours and then simmer the preparation for thirty minutes followed by a straining. After the straining, simmer the tea down to one half of its volume. If desired, a volume of natural vegetable glycerine equivalent to one fourth the volume of the tea may then be added. For example, if there is a gallon of the tea after the straining, simmer it down to two quarts and add one pint of the vegetable glycerine. Soak some flannel, cotton or other material except for synthetics which should never be used and wrap the soaked cloth fomentations around the malfunctioning area and then cover with plastic, oil paper or oiled silk. In turn cover the area with toweling and leave on all night. Repeat this for six nights a week until relief is accomplished and the calcified deposits disappear. Also, drink 1/4 cup of the finished tea, with or without the glycerine, but diluted with 3/4 cup of distilled water. This should be done three times a day for six days of each week until relief occurs. [NL 1-3]

12. Hemorrhaging in the Brain Stem: Question to Dr. Christopher in his Newsletter. If a person were in a coma caused by some hemorrhaging in the brain stem area, how might this be approached herbally?

[See dosage # 3 above]...Wrap the fomentation (soaked cloth) around the head area (like a nightcap), tied under chin to hold in place, also down the spine to the shoulders. The fomentation down the spine should be about four or five inches wide. Put a shower cap over the head and a piece of wax paper, oiled silk or plastic down the spine area. Keep this fomentation on the area approximately twelve hours each day, either during sleeping hours or during the day--whichever is more convenient. Drink 1/4 cup of finished concentrated tea with three fourths cup of distilled water three or more times a day. Do this entire program six days a week, week after week until healed.

This routine has been used with cases of tumors on the pineal and/or pituitary glands, and these tumors have decreased--in one case over 65 percent in six weeks, then over another month was completely gone. This herbal formula will aid in rebuilding the hemorrhaging area with surprising results. [NL 1-6]

13. Hernias: A hernia commonly refers to the escape of some part of the intestine from the abdominal cavity, through an opening in the abdominal wall. The intestine is pushed out from the inner body, often to a point just below the surface of the skin. When it reaches this point, we have a visible hernia. At first it is about the size and shape of a marble, and grows larger as more and more of the intestine escapes.
A number of patients with hernias and ruptures have used the BF & C formula with great success. This formula, ... is applied over the afflicted area as a fomentation a day and night, using a truss or pad to hold in place. Then soak some flannel in this tea and apply. It can also be obtained in a concentrated liquid form or as an ointment. Use whichever type is best in your case. It is also helpful to take the formula internally as a tea, or in capsule or tablet form--two or three of these three or more times per day. [NL 1-8]

14. Wrinkles: I must say the comfrey ointment is fabulous. You probably already know that there isn't any equal to it for getting rid of wrinkles. I had deep wrinkles around my eyes (crow's feet) when I attended your seminar, I started using the comfrey ointment day and night. In a few short weeks, they were gone. Glory to God! A few months ago a friend of mine asked me to try some "wrinkle oil" she sells, I finally agreed to try it. I used it only under my left eye and in about 2 weeks the wrinkles started coming back. I then asked her which eye looked the best, she naturally picked the right eye (it was obvious). Now she uses the comfrey ointment instead of the oil she sells... [NL 4-6]

15. Open and Draining Abdomen: "An open and draining abdomen, caused by extensive massive surgery, totally healed within 7 days time by using comfrey poultices and by taking BF & C. A special thanks to you. The abdomen was draining for three years!" [NL 3-7]

16. I am a 46 yr old menopausal woman who had begun to get severe pain in my fingers. So bad that I was becoming rippled. On one hand my finger would stick at the middle joint when I bent it, the other hand my thumb was so stoked up it wouldn't bend at all. I had taken calcium/mag carbonate many years. I tried the Complete Tissue & Bone formula. By the 2nd bottle I was able to get some movement. I am now on my 5th bottle and have no pain can use my fingers again. I can sew button my shirt do all my chores and am pain free. I praise god for Dr. Christopher--this product has given me my life back again. Shelly via the Internet.

Useful in Treating:

* Abrasions
* Arthritis
* Athlete's Foot
* Broken Bones
* Bruises
* Burns & Sunburns
* Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
* Cuts
* Dizziness
* Eczema
* Hernia
* Inflammation
* Itch
* Osteoporosis
* Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
* Skin Problems
* Sprains
* Stiff Neck
* Stroke
* Tumors

[Julie]

Chaparral (Larrea divaricata)

It is a blood-purifying and antiseptic properties which makes it a helpful herb.

Healing uses:
The widest use of chaparral is for blood purifying. Expelling toxins from the blood to improve general health, of course, but there are many specific benefits to it. People who work with chemicals, such as photography or industrial chemicals, on a regular basis will find it helpful. A variety of mild complaints ? headaches or breathing problems, for instance ? may be caused by a build-up of chemicals in the blood, and once the chemicals are expelled, these complaints will be eliminated. Some more serious conditions can be caused by the presence of toxins in the system. Sufferers of arthritis, rheumatism, sinusitis and bursitis may find the condition significantly alleviated after blood purification. It can ease the withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking or drinking by removing the nicotine or alcohol from the body more quickly, and also eliminating chemicals associated which cause cravings. It is also excellent for eliminating a build-up of chemicals from processed foods before embarking on an organic lifestyle.

Blood purification using chaparral is a lengthy process, but it is well worth. On the first evening, place 1 teaspoon of chaparral leaf into a mug and pour 1 cup of hot (not boiling) water over it. Leave to stand overnight, then strain in the morning and drink the liquid before consuming anything else that day. Do not discard the chaparral leaf, but cover again immediately with hot water. Leave until the next morning, then strain and drink the liquid again. Once more, cover the same chaparral leaves with 1 cup of hot water, and drink the liquid the next morning. On the third morning, discard the leaves after drinking the liquid. That evening, re-start the process with fresh chaparral leaves. Repeat the three-day cycle seven times ? drinking the chaparral extract every day for 21 days in total. It is important to follow these instructions carefully, as the concentration of the chaparral extract is being varied daily according to a specific formula.

A milder chaparral tea can be used for smaller scale detoxification. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of chaparral leaf and leave to stand for 10 minutes. This is excellent when having a bad reaction to some food, or to speed recovery after over-indulging in alcohol. It is also said to hasten the elimination of LSD from the body, which will prevent flashbacks from occurring.

As well as its blood purification properties, chaparral is an excellent anti-fungal and antibacterial herb. Athlete?s foot will be alleviated by soaking the feet in a double strength chaparral tea (2 teaspoons of chaparral leaf to 1 cup of hot water). A paste of chaparral and slippery elm powders mixed with aloe vera gel will further improve this condition.

Athlete?s foot, along with other fungal infections, such as nail fungus, ringworm and vaginal yeast infections, can benefit from chaparral taken internally. A mixture of 4 parts chaparral powder, 2 parts garlic powder, 1/2 part powdered ginger and 1/2 part cayenne powder taken three times daily in 1/2 teaspoon doses with a large glass of water is an excellent remedy for these infections. This mixture will also make an excellent antibiotic for throat or chest infections.

Medical tests have indicated that chaparral could inhibit the growth of tumours, and therefore may be extremely beneficial in the treatment of cancer. This use if the herb is very much in the experimental stage, although some herbalists speak very highly of this application of it.

Cautions:
Heavy users of drugs, including caffeine and alcohol, may experience headaches and nausea when using chaparral as a blood purifier. It is not recommended to use chaparral to withdraw from drugs without professional guidance.

People who have kidney or liver problems should consult a professional herbalist before using chaparral.

[Julie]

Brigham Tea
(Ephedra viridis)
by Lindsay Wolsey
As with any plant, Ephedra viridis is known by a variety of common names. It received the name Brigham tea from the use of the plant for tea by the Mormon pioneers. It is also known as Mormon tea for the same reason. It is also known as joint fir, Squaw tea, tick tea, desert tea, miner's tea, teamster's tea, Mexican tea, popotillo.

Brigham Tea has been used medicinally for more than five thousand years. There have been no reported undesirable side effects when the plant is used in its wholesome state. Brigham tea has been used for a wide variety of ailments, including: asthma, hay fever, and other allergies for the first stages of a cold or influenza, arthritis, fluid retention, coughs, malarial and other fevers, headaches, rheumatism, syphilis, boils, acne, a digestive tonic, and many others. Brigham tea has been historically used by frontiersmen to treat venereal diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhea.

Brigham tea lists ephedrine, pseudopherine, lucenin 2, phosphorus, resin, tannin, and vicenin 2 among its active constituents. The allopathic world extracts ephedrine and pseudopherine for use in pharmaceuticals. The pharmacological action of ephedrine is similar to adrenalin. Its pressor and vaso-constrictor activity is lower, but its action lasts longer. It stimulates respiration, and increases the depth of respiration. Ephedrine reinforces heart action and dilates the bronchi, especially during spasms-which is why it is used for bronchial asthma. Ephedrine stimulates the central nervous system, and is used for treating depression and narcolepsy. It is an expectorant, and is useful for acute sinusitis and hay fever. Using ephedrine extracted from a plant will result in side effects. Pseudoephedrine has a similar, but weaker effect that that of ephedrine. It has a stronger diuretic effect.

In five thousands years of use of the whole plant, not one negative side effect has been reported. In just a few short years of extracting ephedrine and pseedophedrine from the Ephreda plants, many negative side effects have been reported, including death! When the whole plant is used, all of the chemical constituents are present, including those that balance out the active constituents. When just one alkaloid is extracted, the alkaloid becomes a powerful pharmaceutical and very dangerous. Ephedrine should not be mixed with other stimulants, such as caffeine.

Dr. Christopher was teaching a class, and a grateful student brought in enough Brigham tea popsicles for the entire class. Dr. Christopher said that the popsicles were delicious! According to David Christopher, Brigham tea is one of the tastiest herbal teas there is, and he would like to try a popsicle made from Brigham tea and honey. The tea is very astringent.

Because true herbalists are not interested in extracting the active constituents of the plant, they use the whole plant in a traditional manner, i.e. teas, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, etc. Dr. Christopher used Brigham tea as a key ingredient in his Sinus, Hay fever and Allergy formula. Dr. Christopher also used Brigham tea in his Arthritis-Rheumatism formula, and the Sinus and Lung Combination.

[Toni]

I mentioned this at HMSCARRIE's get together and said if I could remember to look up the information, I would post it.....:hurray:I remembered for a change!

I have a DVD that Bob Ellertson put together on personal preparedness. Titled "Every Needful Thing"

In that video, he goes over some herbs etc... that we might wish to have on hand.

4 of them he indicated that Brigham Young said would prove useful in the latter days.

These are, YARROW, COMFREY, CHAPARRAL and BRIGHAM TEA

I am not an herbalist but if BY really endorsed these, I would like to have some on hand.

Anyone know if this is true?


I don't know if that is true but I would choose different herbs if I could only have four. I would choose
comfrey (yea, I know, same) - amazing healer of skin and bones
cayenne - circulation, bleeding, restless legs
garlic - ear infection, viral infection, etc.
valerian - stress, pain, sleeplessness

I'd also include
peppermint - stomach problems, hide bad flavor of other herbs
catnip - babies' tummy aches
feverfew - headaches
horsetail/shavegrass - teeth and bones
black cohosh - starts labor if it's ready to start but isn't starting
milk thistle, marshmallow, and anise for milk supply (human)
red raspberry - pregnancy, birth, young children
scullcap - nerves, pain
gravel root - I swear by this one for kidney/bladder infections
yarrow - causes a sweat if taken warm while in a hot bath
wormwood - worms, insect repellent (don't grind it up in your seed grinder - you'll never get the taste out of the machine)
aloe vera - burns - only seems to work if used fresh - the bottled stuff seems to be garbage
Black walnut - worms and teeth (but it turns your teeth brown if you brush with it)
Shepherd's purse is supposed to be good for uterine hemmorhage but I took it to even out my blood pressure and it lowered it dangerously so I probably wouldn't have this.

Can't think of any more at the moment.

[signseeker]

So... uhh... how 'bout like a nice green salad every day?

(Wow- that's a lot to absorb. Looks like I need a herbalist for my new best friend. :laugh:)

[Toni]

So... uhh... how 'bout like a nice green salad every day?

Actually, that would probably be a very good idea. A lot of herbs can just be eaten as food.

The books mentioned are very good. I have some of them, as well as those not mentioned. My favorite on the list is the Dr. Mom book. I have the old version as well as the new.

I (and probably Julie and others on here who are using herbs) have had many years experience studying about and using various herbs. We don't know everything about all of them but we know enough that it would be fun to share - to fill in the gaps in each others' experiences.


(Wow- that's a lot to absorb. Looks like I need a herbalist for my new best friend. )
We're your friends, right? I don't know if we'd qualify as official herbalists or even best friends, but if you lived closer to me I would definitely be interested in "hanging out" (as my teenagers say).

[Aldon]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Chaparrel is good for expelling toxins.

If we suffer a nuclear or chemical attack, this might be especially helpful.

I would think that the rumor that Brigham mentioned these herbs would have at least some basis in fact, but might just be legend.

If as prophet he really did mentioon these 4, then they top my list. Kind of like the Brazen serpent.

I will have to do some research and see if I can locate any quotes.

[signseeker]

So do you herbalists grow all these herbs? Buy them like vitamins at the health food store, or what?

[Toni]

Chapparal is very good for removing cancer. I didn't think about that. When I was a child (living in St. George) we used to gather it and my mother would give it to us when we had upset stomachs. It smells wonderful and tastes like Yuck!:mad (2):

Brigham tea is supposed to help if you have a cold and such. I gave it to my kids and the ephedra in it wired them to the max so I removed it from my list of herbs I wanted. It probably doesn't affect an adult like that - or it takes more to do it.

[Toni]

So do you herbalists grow all these herbs? Buy them like vitamins at the health food store, or what?

I have bought quite a few at the health food store but they aren't usually the best quality. We have gotten a lot of herbs from http://pacificbotanicals.com and http://mountainroseherbs.com might be good. We got some coconut oil from them - the least expensive we could find and it seems to be good. And some of the herbs come out of my garden.

[thor610]

So do you herbalists grow all these herbs? Buy them like vitamins at the health food store, or what?

If you can at all grow them, do so and harvest them yourself. That way you always have a supply and you know the quality. If you can't grow them I suggest buying them from either Horizon Herbs or HerbsFirst.

[thor610]

Oh yes, the two Toni suggested are good too - Pacific Botanicals and Mountain Rose.

[Toni]

thor610, I haven't heard of the two companies you mention. Could you post a URL to them? Thanks. (In case you don't know how, you click on the earth icon in the reply box, insert the URL, then click okay - but you probably already knew that)

[thor610]

http://www.herbsfirst.com/

http://www.horizonherbs.com/

[Julie]

This is a great radio show to learn about herbs and stuff. You can call in and ask specific questions. They have archived their shows too and there is a lot to learn.

http://www.ahealthieryouradio.com/

[thor610]

Thanks for the radio url. David is Dr. Christopher's son.

[muddywater]

If anyone is interested-- The School of Natural Healing is offering their entry level online course, The Family Herbalist, for $400.00 off the regular price just until the end of March -- that makes it only $100.00. So act soon if you would like to take it. This course is great to get you started in understanding herbs and how to take care of your own family. Go to: www.snh.cc

[Toni]

It is good. I took it a few years ago. I liked the books I got with it. It also came with CDs and a couple of videos.

[muddywater]

I just finished the course. I knew a lot already, but it was great to have it presented so clearly. I am currently leading an herb group here in my little town. So far there are about 15-20 people that come regularly. They are hungry to learn more about being self-reliant in health issues. It is very satisfying to me to be able to help fulfill a need.

[phylm]

Along with many of the herbs that have been mentioned, I have echinacea, for colds and immune system strengthening, and pyrethrum, an excellent insecticide, in my flower beds. They are beautiful flowers, too. And...hidden way in back of some of my storage is a bottle of 100 proof vodka for tincture-making. (Sh-hh!!)

[ktcottle]

I've been buying my herbs from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ I have been really happy with the prices and the quality. Also, I have been buying my tinctures and essential oils from www.butterflyexpress.net (http://www.butterflyexpress.net) . Their oils are so pure, and I have been extremely pleased with them, I setup a wholesale account with them so we can purchase the oils at 45% off at retail price and obtain the larger 2 oz, 4 oz and 16oz bottles. Our friends and family have really enjoyed the herbs, oils and the prices. I hope this information is usefull for some of you

[Toni]

Along with many of the herbs that have been mentioned, I have echinacea, for colds and immune system strengthening, and pyrethrum, an excellent insecticide, in my flower beds. They are beautiful flowers, too. And...hidden way in back of some of my storage is a bottle of 100 proof vodka for tincture-making. (Sh-hh!!)

We have some vodka, too - for the same reason. I wish it were Everclear but it's too hard to find and when I do find it, it's in little bottles. A few years ago (so I was told recently), a friend of my daughters' was over and she saw it (our vodka - it wasn't Everclear) and wanted to drink it. My daughters wouldn't let her. My kids don't even think of it as something edible - any more than they would any nasty smelling stuff.

I love Mountain Rose Herbs. I've gotten unprocessed coconut oil from them, as well as some other things. I spread their name around whenever I can.

[thor610]

The vodka makes me laugh, because I too have a large bottle in the back of my pantry. I never tell anyone because they don't understand herbal medicine or tinctures. I wish I could get Everclear here as well, but no such luck.

[ghostcat]

We have a bottle of "Moon Mist", a German liquor that was sent to us for Christmas by a friend we had made at the World Archery Championships. It sat unopened for 9 years until we used most of it to get one of our dogs nice and soused! The dog had decided to "eat" a container of radiator fluid (we swear she is 50% Black Lab and 50% billy goat:blink:, fortunately she looks like the Black Lab part:l0 (48):). Several years previously in a discussion with our Vet he mentioned that the treatment for radiator poisoning was to get the animal to have high levels of blood alcohol concentrations. Well we were very tight financially at the time and could not afford a vet bill so I decided that we would use a "budget version" of the poisoning treatment and broke out the "Moon Mist". It apparently worked fairly well as she seemed to have no side affects from the poisoning and we still have her several years later. It was quite amusing though, to see her staggering around the yard, howling in an off key version of "How dry I am" for 24 hours while we kept her dish "topped off". For a while there I was afraid that we might have turned her into a canine "Lush":cheers2: . I think that the hangover may have turned her off of wanting to "hit the bottle" any more though!!!:001_tongue:

[thor610]

Ghostcat, I have never heard of that. How did you ever get alcohol down your dog's throat? I want to know in case I ever need to do it for one of my animals.

[Aldon]

I have never seen a dog that did not like beer.

Knowledge gained from an earlier pre-LDS life.

[phylm]

I have never seen a dog that did not like beer.

Knowledge gained from an earlier pre-LDS life.

LOL!!!!!

[ghostcat]

Ghostcat, I have never heard of that. How did you ever get alcohol down your dog's throat? I want to know in case I ever need to do it for one of my animals.
We were prepared to hold her down and shoot it down her throat with a very large syringe but we tried putting it in her bowl and see if she would like it first. She slurped it right up (did I mention that she is half goat and will eat anything, up to and including a camping tent?) and looked up for more. I don't know if it was the taste of the liquor that she liked (this liquor is apparently very popular in the region it comes from) or if it was some other reason, the point is however that we did not need to "strong arm" her into "bellying up to the bar" :cheers2::thumbup:
It is my understanding that the Veterinarians use an IV to accomplish the same thing in their clinics, I think the Vet said that the alcohol binds with the ethylene glycol in the antifreeze thus mitigating its toxic effects. The CDC has this to say about antidotes for ethylene glycol poisoning:

ANTIDOTE: Fomepizole and ethanol are effective antidotes against ethylene glycol toxicity. Fomepizole or ethanol should be administered as soon as possible once the patient/victim has been admitted to a medical care facility. See Long Term Implications: Medical Treatment for further instruction.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/EmergencyResponseCard_29750031.html