Prescription for Herbal Healing

This book is divided into three parts for easy reference. Part I discusses the basic principles of herbal medicine and outlines the properties and characteristics of some one hundred sixty single herbs and sixty herbal combination formulas. Part II describes more than one hundred fifty common disorders, conveniently arranged in alphabetical order from acne to yeast infection, and names the herbal therapies that can be used in the treatment of those conditions. Part III is a guide to using various kinds of herbal and other alternative therapies. In addition, it includes self-diagnostic tests and boxed insets throughout, which offer detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

Complete coverage of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs make this volume entirely comprehensive, and thorough scientific references lend it an authority not found in any other herbal book. Prescription for Herbal Healing is the definitive herbal resource and is a necessity for any health-conscious consumer.

Preface

Open this herbal encyclopedia before you open your medicine cabinet. This book may help with illnesses from colds and flu to chronic fatigue to cancer. You can easily and quickly look up your ailment or disorder, get a clear explanation of what may have caused it, and find a list of herbal options to use in treating that particular illness or condition. You will get straightforward alternatives and establish when and if you should call a health-care professional. Prescription for Herbal Healing is a collection of herbal treatments that are reliable and understood in scientific terms. It offers precise herbal "prescriptions" that can be used to treat an array of health conditions. It lists herbs and formulas that can amplify the benefits of a healthy diet, nutritional supplementation, and natural healing techniques. It presents clear information on the compatibility of herbs with conventional medication in the treatment of health conditions. It points out possibilities for combining herbal healing with conventional treatment with outcomes that neither can achieve alone for various conditions. It's amazing how far we have come in natural healing, without serious side effects. Herbal treatments are capable of healing all kinds of disorders and all parts of the body. Many countries, especially the European countries and China, are ahead of the United States in using natural products such as herbs, but even in North America, many doctors now blend the best of conventional medicine with alternative healing and have found powerful new treatments that work.

Part One of this book defines the principles and materials of herbal healing. Then it lists over 200 of the plants used in traditional herbal healing and the scientific evidence for their use in extending health. It gives the most current scientific explanation of how each herb has been used successfully for centuries as a healing tool. It also provides current clinical information on the herbal formulas of ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, Native American, and South American medicine most widely used today, as well as several modern herbal formulas of great healing potential.

Although every herb and formula listed in Part One has been employed by one or more of the great schools of traditional herbal healing, no herb in Part One is employed only by informal healers. In fact, all of the herbs and formulas listed in this book are used in modern medical practice in Europe, Egypt, Israel, or Japan. The herbs and formulas listed in Part One are at least understood in chemical terms and can be used with predictable results with modern medicine. Interestingly, most conventional drugs were originally derived from plant sources. The problem with this is that to make a pharmaceutical drug, the component of the herb believed to be responsible for its activity is extracted and concentrated. In their whole form, herbs are buffered because they contain many different components. Because of this, they are less likely to cause side effects (which can sometimes be worse than the original problem).

People need to be educated about their treatment options and the potential risks involved. Anything you can do to help yourself, to empower yourself, helps to get rid of the sense of hopelessness when disease strikes. It's never too late to protect your health. There is no reason you should not know about your body and how it works, even as doctors know these things.

Not every herb recommended in Part One has been confirmed by the highest standards of research recommended (if not always actually used) in conventional medicine. That is, not every herb listed in this book has been confirmed as effective by statistically controlled, randomized, double-blind, clinical studies. But every herb and formula listed in this book is known to be safe when used as prescribed and has a long history of healing benefits, which makes for a brighter future for all of humankind.

Part Two of this book shows how these herbs and formulas can be used to treat over 150 specific conditions. This information is also based on scientific studies. It is included for those who wish to provide themselves with the widest range of possibilities for gaining health. This section reveals how herbs correct disease processes. It discusses the use of herbs with diet and nutritional supplements. It also lists dozens of therapeutic practices for which there is objective evidence. Herbs, nutrition, and personally directed healing therapies are included to give the reader even greater opportunity to take charge of his or her health.

Part Three provides information on making baths, compresses, creams, lotions, ointments, and tinctures. This information is included for those who are most comfortable using herbs as a healing art, as a healing connection to the natural world.

This entire book has been written with an acute and personal awareness of the frequently overwhelming cost of health care. The most economical approach to regaining and maintaining health is a combination of conventional medicine with supplemental approaches. Except for minor conditions, the herbs and formulas in this book are not chosen to replace conventional medicine. Instead, they are intended to work with conventional medicine, to help it work more quickly, effectively, painlessly, and economically.

Of course, for herbs to be useful with conventional medicine, it is essential to pay attention to herb safety. Only those herbs that are generally recognized as safe, or that can be processed by known manufacturing practices into safe forms, are included in this book. Special notes on safety for administration to children and during pregnancy and nursing are included where needed. Always read the precautions for each herb before using it. And since the philosophy of this book is that herbs can be used with a doctor's prescribed medication, interactions of herbs and drugs are noted throughout the text.

I want to thank you for choosing to read this book. Its purpose is to make the process of treating disease and returning to health a little easier for you. May this book help you use the best of herbal healing and, when needed, modern medicine to find greater health than you have ever known before.

--from Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, Copyright © January 2002, Avery Books, a division of Penguin Putnam, Inc., used by permission."

Contents

Acknowledgments, vi
Preface, vii
How to Use This Book, ix
Targeting Herbal Treatment, x

Part One: Understanding Herbal Healing
Introduction, 2
Principles of Herbal Healing, 4
The Herbs, 12
The Formulas, 147

Part Two: Herbal Prescriptions for Common Health Problems
Acne, 177
Alcoholism, 178
Allergies, 180
Alzheimer's Disease, 183
Anemia, 186
Angina, 187
Ankles, Swollen, 189
Anxiety Disorder, 190
Asthma, 192
Atherosclerosis, 195
Athlete's Foot, 197
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), 198
Bed-Wetting, 200
Bell's Palsy, 201
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), 202
Bladder Cancer, 203
Bladder Infection (Cystitis), 205
Boil, 207
Bone Cancer, 208
Breast Cancer, 209
Bronchitis and Pneumonia, 213
Bruising, 215
Burns, 215
Bursitis, 217
Cancer, 218
Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers), 226
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, 227
Cataracts, 229
Celiac Disease, 230
Cellulite, 231
Cervical Cancer, 232
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 234
Cirrhosis of the Liver, 236
Colic, 237
Colorectal Cancer, 238
Common Cold, 240
Congestive Heart Failure, 242
Constipation, 243
Cough, 245
Crohn's Disease, 247
Cuts, Scrapes, and Abrasions, 249
Dandruff, 250
Depression, 251
Diabetes, 254
Diabetic Retinopathy, 257
Diaper Rash, 259
Diarrhea, 259
Dry Mouth, 261
Ear Infection, 262
Eczema, 264
Emphysema, 266
Endometrial Cancer, 267
Endometriosis, 268
Eye Problems, 270
Fibrocystic Breasts, 273
Fibroids, Uterine (Uterine Myomas), 275
Fibromyalgia Syndrome, 276
Food Poisoning, 277
Fracture, 279
Gallstones, 281
Gastritis, 282
Glaucoma, 283
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, 285
Gout, 286
Hair Loss, 288
Halitosis (Bad Breath), 289
Hangover, 290
Headache, 291
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction), 292
Heat Stress, 294
Hemorrhoids, 295
Hepatitis, 296
Herpesvirus Infection, 299
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), 301
High Cholesterol, 303
HIV/AIDS, 306
Hives, 310
Hodgkin's Disease, 311
Hyperthyroidism, 312
Hypothyroidism, 314
Impotence, 315
Indigestion, 316
Infertility, 319
Influenza, 321
Insect Bites, 323
Insomnia, 324
Intermittent Claudication, 326
Iron Overload, 327
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 327
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma), 329
Kidney Disease, 330
Kidney Stones, 332
Laryngitis, 333
Leukemia, 335
Liver Cancer, 336
Lung Cancer, 338
Lupus, 340
Lyme Disease, 342
Lymphedema, 343
Macular Degeneration, 344
Mastitis, 345
Measles, 346
Memory Problems, 347
Ménière's Disease, 349
Menopause-Related Problems, 350
Menstrual Problems, 352
Migraine, 353
Mononucleosis, 355
Morning Sickness, 356
Motion Sickness, 357
Multiple Sclerosis, 358
Mumps, 359
Muscles, Sore, 360
Myasthenia Gravis, 361
Nails, Infected, 362
Nausea, 363
Nosebleed, 364
Osteoarthritis, 365
Osteoporosis, 367
Ovarian Cancer, 369
Ovarian Cyst, 370
Overweight, 371
Pain, Chronic, 373
Parasitic Infection, 374
Parkinson's Disease, 377
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, 378
Peptic Ulcer, 379
Periodontal Disease, 381
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), 383
Prostate Cancer, 385
Prostatitis, 387
Psoriasis, 388
Restless Legs Syndrome, 390
Rheumatoid Arthritis, 391
Ringworm, 393
Seizure Disorders, 394
Sex Drive, Diminished, 395
Shin Splints, 397
Sinusitis, 398
Skin Cancer, 399
Sprains and Strains, 402
Stomach Cancer, 402
Strep Throat, 403
Stress, 404
Stroke, 406
Sweating, Excessive, 407
Syphilis, 408
Tendinitis, 409
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears), 410
Toothache, 411
Tuberculosis, 412
Vaginosis, 413
Varicose Veins, 414
Vitiligo, 416
Vomiting, 417
Warts, 418
Wrinkles, 419
Yeast Infection (Yeast Vaginitis), 420
Part Three: Techniques of Herbal Healing
Acupuncture, 424
Aromatherapy, 425
Bowel Retraining, 426
Compresses, 427
Douches, 427
Estrogen-Reducing Diet, 427
Foot Baths, 428
Hand Baths, 428
Kegel Exercises, 428
Massage, 429
Ointments, 429
Plasters, 430
Poultices, 430
Relaxation Techniques, 430
Sitz Baths, 433
Skin Washes, 433
Steam Inhalations, 433
Syrups, 433
Teas, 434
Tinctures, 434
References, 435

Appendices
Appendix A: Glossary, 521
Appendix B: Resources, 527
Index, 537
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