“Inner peace should not be determined by outward experiences.” – unknown
I think this quote is unique especially since I do not know who wrote it. It makes it even more real. I can attest to the fact that outward experiences have not made me more peaceful. I thought it would when I first started doing something unique and worthwhile. I thought being accepted by a community on my medical merits alone would bring me inner peace. But I realize now that inner peace comes from within . Many patients volunteer their time in old age homes, soup kitchens and big brother affiliations. None have increased their inner peace. In some cases it increased their self esteem, but also helped bring up resentments, anger and drama. Inner peace has come from a belief in GOD and prayer/ meditation. Do you want inner peace? Who doesn’t want peace, serenity and happiness. First, do you meditate? If not, learn. Second, do you have a hobby? If not, think of one that is feasible. Third, how many people do you help in a given day? If the answer is more than one and IF you do not help yourself, start to learn.
Two more herbs that are cholagogues are Figwort ( Scrophularia spp ) and Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis ). Again these cholagogues stimulate the release of bile from liver and gallbladder. They increase intestinal digestion of fats.
Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family, is a family of flowering annual or perennial herbs with flowers. Members of the Scrophulariaceae have a cosmopolitan distribution, with the majority found in temperate areas, including tropical mountains. The family includes some medicinal plants such as:
1. Leptandra, black root, Culver's root
2. Rehmannia, Chinese foxglove,
3. Scrophularia, figworts
4. Verbascum, mulleins
In both eastern and western traditions, figwort (S. nodosa) is a very cleansing herb. Other names for this plant are Carpenter's-square, Figwort, Rose-noble, Scrofula Plant, Square Stalk, Stinking Christopher, and Throatwort. In the past, figwort was known as the scrofula plant (hence the botanical name), and used to treat abscesses or scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymph glands in the neck). Like its close relative foxglove, figwort contains a cardio active substance that strengthens the heart and slows its beat. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before using. Figwort is an herb that supports detoxification of the body and may be used as a treatment for various types of skin conditions. Taken internally as an infusion or applied externally, figwort is of value in treating chronic skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Applied externally, figwort will also help speed the healing of burns, wounds, hemorrhoids, and ulcers. Figwort contains saponins, cardioactive glycosides, flavonoids, resin, sugar, organic acids.
I love the common names of all herbs, especially Goldenseal. It seems like it is the all purpose herb, or the herb of the gods. Goldenseal (Orange-root, Orangeroot; Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. Goldenseal has been ascribed the following herbal properties (whole herb): bitter, hepatic, anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and laxative.
In all the years I have used goldenseal I have never thought of this herb as a Liver Detoxifier. I have always used it for eczema, hemorrhoids and boils. For sore throats I use 1 1/2 to 3 teaspoons two to three times a day. For boils I have applied it as a paste to the infected area. I once saw a healer use cabbage leaves for boils. I must research what is in Cabbage leaves --
Of mention, both figwort and goldenseal are not mentioned in the book Medicinal Plants of the Bible. Of course figs are mentioned but the quote below mentions figs and boil. (HOW IRONIC!)
"For Isiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover." Isiah 38:21 (King James version)
The purple plant in the photograph is the Figwort (1 photo) and the other two are Goldenseal.
Until tomorrow...
No comments:
Post a Comment