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→Lesson 42 - Why Herbs Should Not Be Used
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
=== The Myth Of Herbs ===
The woman was proudly showing me the inside of her medicine cabinet:
The woman was proudly showing me the inside of her medicine cabinet:
This lesson is to help you explain to your friends and clients why herbs are not harm- less; why they are not safe; why they should not be used. So many myths surround herbs, herb taking, and herbalists that the air must be cleared.
This lesson is to help you explain to your friends and clients why herbs are not harm- less; why they are not safe; why they should not be used. So many myths surround herbs, herb taking, and herbalists that the air must be cleared.
=== What Is an Herb? ===
Most of us have a pretty good idea what an herb is. We generally think of some wild plant that tastes somewhat bad which is used in small amounts for some ailment or the other.
Most of us have a pretty good idea what an herb is. We generally think of some wild plant that tastes somewhat bad which is used in small amounts for some ailment or the other.
This lesson is concerned chiefly with the herb as a drug. Mention will be made of herbs as foods, and whether they are proper nourishment for humans.
This lesson is concerned chiefly with the herb as a drug. Mention will be made of herbs as foods, and whether they are proper nourishment for humans.
=== Warning: Herbs May Be Dangerous To Your Health! ===
Some people may not believe that herbs can have any effect in keeping us well and healthy, but few people actually consider herbs to be harmful. Herbs are plants and grow naturally, and it seems that only people like the FDA and AMA have anything “bad” to say about these substances. But herbs are not only ineffective in producing health, they poison the body and may create serious complications in the user of such plants.
Some people may not believe that herbs can have any effect in keeping us well and healthy, but few people actually consider herbs to be harmful. Herbs are plants and grow naturally, and it seems that only people like the FDA and AMA have anything “bad” to say about these substances. But herbs are not only ineffective in producing health, they poison the body and may create serious complications in the user of such plants.
Still, people who are attracted to a natural way of life and diet defend herbs and their use. Maybe we should ask the question:
Still, people who are attracted to a natural way of life and diet defend herbs and their use. Maybe we should ask the question:
=== Are Herbs “Natural”? ===
Of course herbs are natural. They grow in every part of the world without cultivation. Unlike most fruits and vegetables, herbs have not been altered through selective planting or breeding. The herbs growing today are much the same as those that grew five thou- sand years ago. No one can argue that herbs are not natural plants. But, are they natural for man to eat and use?
Of course herbs are natural. They grow in every part of the world without cultivation. Unlike most fruits and vegetables, herbs have not been altered through selective planting or breeding. The herbs growing today are much the same as those that grew five thou- sand years ago. No one can argue that herbs are not natural plants. But, are they natural for man to eat and use?
If so many herbs taste so foul and have such detrimental effects on the body, then we might ask how the herbal practice ever got started in the first place.
If so many herbs taste so foul and have such detrimental effects on the body, then we might ask how the herbal practice ever got started in the first place.
=== The Origins of Herbal Drugging Practices ===
The herbalists and the medical profession which also derives many of its drugs from herbs have justified the use of such poisons by pointing to the practices of antiquity and primitive tribes.
The herbalists and the medical profession which also derives many of its drugs from herbs have justified the use of such poisons by pointing to the practices of antiquity and primitive tribes.
The romanticizing of herbs and their effects as being “natural” or “primitive” and therefore established and accepted is a dangerous lie. Herbs are drugs and poisons. They cure nothing.
The romanticizing of herbs and their effects as being “natural” or “primitive” and therefore established and accepted is a dangerous lie. Herbs are drugs and poisons. They cure nothing.
=== Why Herbs Can’t “Cure” ===
People who believe in the curative powers of herbs think that any disease or ailment can be relieved by the ingestion of the proper herbs in the correct amounts. Some herbs are to be boiled and steeped.
People who believe in the curative powers of herbs think that any disease or ailment can be relieved by the ingestion of the proper herbs in the correct amounts. Some herbs are to be boiled and steeped.
Different herbs may occasion different bodily reactions. Fevers, sweating, diarrhea, increased or decreased circulation are all signs of a body trying to eliminate herbal toxins and are not indications that an herb is working some cure or the other.
Different herbs may occasion different bodily reactions. Fevers, sweating, diarrhea, increased or decreased circulation are all signs of a body trying to eliminate herbal toxins and are not indications that an herb is working some cure or the other.
=== Can Herbs Help At All? ===
The use of herbs is often defended because they are not as strong as chemically-de- rived medicines. In other words, they seem to do less harm than prescription drugs. But is this really true? Are herbs the lesser of two evils? And is there ever any reason they should be employed?
The use of herbs is often defended because they are not as strong as chemically-de- rived medicines. In other words, they seem to do less harm than prescription drugs. But is this really true? Are herbs the lesser of two evils? And is there ever any reason they should be employed?
All pill and drug taking is dangerously deceptive, whether the drug comes from a plant or from a factory. The symptom-ridding approach to health is a short-ended one, and the bills for a disease-producing lifestyle always come due. Herbs and the symptom- repressing attitude toward health only deceive and delude the true health seeker.
All pill and drug taking is dangerously deceptive, whether the drug comes from a plant or from a factory. The symptom-ridding approach to health is a short-ended one, and the bills for a disease-producing lifestyle always come due. Herbs and the symptom- repressing attitude toward health only deceive and delude the true health seeker.
=== Are Herbs Good For Food Supplements? ===
Not only are herbs promoted as cures and remedies, but they are often given as di- etary supplements. Herbs often have a high concentration of minerals (usually iron, cal- cium, and trace elements.) Some have a high vitamin C content as well.
Not only are herbs promoted as cures and remedies, but they are often given as di- etary supplements. Herbs often have a high concentration of minerals (usually iron, cal- cium, and trace elements.) Some have a high vitamin C content as well.
Then, too, you must remember that along with any minerals or vitamins the herb may possess are also alkaloids and poisons that the body cannot healthily metabolize. Herbs are not a safe supplement. In fact, no supplement is safe because all such unbal- anced additions to the diet disrupt the body’s metabolism arid force it to eliminate the unneeded substances and excesses.
Then, too, you must remember that along with any minerals or vitamins the herb may possess are also alkaloids and poisons that the body cannot healthily metabolize. Herbs are not a safe supplement. In fact, no supplement is safe because all such unbal- anced additions to the diet disrupt the body’s metabolism arid force it to eliminate the unneeded substances and excesses.
=== Why Herbs Appear To Work ===
Even after people have been told about the harmful effects of herb taking, they often persist in the practice because they insist that the herbs are working and helping them. An elderly man of about ninety has dutifully swallowed a capsule containing an herbal laxative every day for the past several years. “It keeps me regular,” is his only comment and justification for the herb-taking habit.
Even after people have been told about the harmful effects of herb taking, they often persist in the practice because they insist that the herbs are working and helping them. An elderly man of about ninety has dutifully swallowed a capsule containing an herbal laxative every day for the past several years. “It keeps me regular,” is his only comment and justification for the herb-taking habit.
The cause of the headache—toxicosis—was not removed by the peppermint. The conditions that brought on the toxicosis—poor diet and lifestyle habits—were not im- proved by the herb. The headache may have disappeared, but the underlying cause re- mains. This is the case with all herbs—symptoms are depressed by the eliminative ac- tions of the body which are directed toward the herb.
The cause of the headache—toxicosis—was not removed by the peppermint. The conditions that brought on the toxicosis—poor diet and lifestyle habits—were not im- proved by the herb. The headache may have disappeared, but the underlying cause re- mains. This is the case with all herbs—symptoms are depressed by the eliminative ac- tions of the body which are directed toward the herb.
=== Living an Herb-Free Life ===
Almost without exception, herbs have been used to treat the sick. They are rarely used as food, although occasionally herbs have been used as seasonings or condiments. A lifestyle without herbs is both easy and healthy.
Almost without exception, herbs have been used to treat the sick. They are rarely used as food, although occasionally herbs have been used as seasonings or condiments. A lifestyle without herbs is both easy and healthy.
Finally, herbs are sometimes part of a meal. The culinary herbs, such as garlic, onion, parsley, rosemary, cumin seed, caraway seed, and so on are probably the most common herbs used in most diets. Let’s look at these herbs and seasonings in closer detail to see how we can also live without them.
Finally, herbs are sometimes part of a meal. The culinary herbs, such as garlic, onion, parsley, rosemary, cumin seed, caraway seed, and so on are probably the most common herbs used in most diets. Let’s look at these herbs and seasonings in closer detail to see how we can also live without them.
=== Herbs That Taste Good? ===
Herbs that are foul and bitter tasting, as are most of the medicinal herbs, can be easily explained as unsuitable for the human dietary. Who would want to eat them anyway? Other herbs, however, have enjoyed a reputation as seasonings and flavorings in cook- ing and food preparation. Since this is where herbs are often used in everyday living, we should understand their use better. First, almost every herb used as food in the diet is done so as a seasoning or flavoring for cooked food. Few people desire to eat rosemary
Herbs that are foul and bitter tasting, as are most of the medicinal herbs, can be easily explained as unsuitable for the human dietary. Who would want to eat them anyway? Other herbs, however, have enjoyed a reputation as seasonings and flavorings in cook- ing and food preparation. Since this is where herbs are often used in everyday living, we should understand their use better. First, almost every herb used as food in the diet is done so as a seasoning or flavoring for cooked food. Few people desire to eat rosemary
The cooking and seasoning herbs are not harmless additions to the diet as is popu- larly believed. Their use disrupts digestion and places an added load on the eliminative system. They are used chiefly to flavor and spice up foods that are probably best not eaten anyway (that is, overcooked foods, meats, and so forth). A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables require no seasonings, herbal or otherwise.
The cooking and seasoning herbs are not harmless additions to the diet as is popu- larly believed. Their use disrupts digestion and places an added load on the eliminative system. They are used chiefly to flavor and spice up foods that are probably best not eaten anyway (that is, overcooked foods, meats, and so forth). A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables require no seasonings, herbal or otherwise.
== Questions & Answers ==
Aren’t herbs still better than taking prescription drugs? I used to take digitalis for my weak heart, and now I use a plant called foxglove.
Aren’t herbs still better than taking prescription drugs? I used to take digitalis for my weak heart, and now I use a plant called foxglove.
True, some herbs such as basil, comfrey, spearmint, and so on may taste pleas- ant. But in what amounts? Even the most dedicated basil or parsley or rosemary lover would not want to chew up a whole mouthful of their favorite herb. Why? Be- cause even these “mild” herbs are extremely high in essential oils that can irritate the organism. While such herbs are not as dangerous as the stronger acting “medi- cinal” herbs, there is no need for them in the proper diet.
True, some herbs such as basil, comfrey, spearmint, and so on may taste pleas- ant. But in what amounts? Even the most dedicated basil or parsley or rosemary lover would not want to chew up a whole mouthful of their favorite herb. Why? Be- cause even these “mild” herbs are extremely high in essential oils that can irritate the organism. While such herbs are not as dangerous as the stronger acting “medi- cinal” herbs, there is no need for them in the proper diet.
Article #1: Why Herbs Are Harmful By Marti Fry
== Article #1: Why Herbs Are Harmful By Marti Fry ==
The Second Definition of “Herb”
The Second Definition of “Herb”