The History of Herbal Medicine
Why Are We So Tired - Part I
Why Are We So Tired - Part II

From a historical perspective herbal medicine is the oldest form of medicine. Even today Empirical and scientific evidence continues to validate its use. As we understand the strides made by men and women in the past we can begin to understand the evolution of herbal medicine. Most of the original herbal information was not written down only passed from healers to their apprentices. The bible speaks of several herbs but does not give a formula for their use. Most folk medicine originated in the home administered by a wise woman or man who attended to the sick. Through their knowledge they used plants and there was no need to expound the theory of healing. As every village had one of these wise sages it was not necessary to write this knowledge down. As a result much information of the past is lost.

There are many approaches to understanding the virtues of plants. One very popular method used among the Native Americans is called the Doctrine of Signatures. We learn that if we take in account the physical characteristics, including the growing environment, we can learn the application of the herb for use in healing.

People learned a great deal about which herbs and plants to use by watching animals. Many early cultures observed the animals and how they used plants for medicine. As a result of the knowledge gleaned from watching animals many including the bear were on the head of the totem of the herbal doctor. One should not deem watching the wild animal's diet as a cure all.

Many of the foods indigested by animals are poisonous to man and visa versa. After the method of Applying Signatures came the introduction of the elements, temperatures and constitutions in understanding the nature of disease and the application of herbal remedies. If one suffered from a condition that was hot and dry or cool and moist, plants that were cooling and moist or warming and drying were used accordingly.

Today many people around the world use herbs in cooking as well for medical relief. The aroma of cooking with spices and herbs coming from any kitchen where home cooked meals are prepared is something to behold for the palate. Food preparation and even the sequence of food served have its therapeutic effect on our body. The foods and spices we eat are the foundation for good health. These thoughts are far away from our concern for out health as we order fast food high in fat, cholesterol and salt.

Processed food denatured of every living nutrient is a cause for disease.  Since we refuse, for the most part, to adhere to sound nutritional practices we oftentimes get sick and almost always want a quick fix. We live in a complex world with a lot of people who want to do everything as fast and easy as possible. If the planet is to provide us with every herb necessary to enjoy life we must turn again to the past and grow and eat unprocessed food. Do not be fooled by denatured herbs that have been processed of every living nutrient. If we are to benefit from mother earth we must learn the medicinal and healthful values of herbs.

Whole Herbs Preparations Vs. Standardized Extracts Writing about herbal therapy, in my mind, would not be complete without shedding some light on the difference between standardized herbal products and whole herb preparations. What is a standardized extract? We hear about them so often, or do we? Do you read the labels when you buy a product? Do you read every ingredient? Even the preservatives and binders that they so conveniently list at the bottom of the package in really small print? Well, if you don't read the label then I highly advise to do so. In addition to being in the form of a little white pill, the amount of fillers and chemicals that somehow show up in "herbal" products is astounding.

Let's take this one step further. What is standardization? Herbs contain hundreds of constituents or better-said, chemical properties. Each of these properties has a specific effect on the body and must be tested individually, in a clinical setting, for scientists to identify how it actually works. Recent studies have indicated that one specific constituent, for each herb, are the most important and effective and needs to be isolated. Through chemical extraction, in a laboratory setting, that one constituent is placed in pill or liquid form for intended use. These herbal  standardizations will guarantee the consumer a certain amount of that one constituent.

Whole herb extracts, on the other hand, are not manipulated in a lab and all of the properties are present and in relationship to each other. The active constituents in these products are chemically identical to those found in nature. The major difference in a whole herb preparation is that it is truly natural. A whole herb preparation looks, tastes and smells like the real thing.

These statements are not made in any way to discredit certain products but simply to explain the difference. In my personal experience, I cannot look at a little white pill and believe that I am ingesting and herb. I can look at a cup of tea or a capsule made of a whole, ground herb and indeed know and feel like I am taking exactly that, but not so with little white pills. There is a place for standardized extracts and that is the trick. We know what whole herbs were used for at the turn of the last century. Pick up any 1930's herbs text and find out. What we don't know much about is how to specifically apply a standardized extract to specific disorders. The testing is being done. Some of the results are final. Certain disorders warrant a standardized extract because a whole herb extract would not be effective. A word of caution to my readers...do not be too quick to read the bad press about herbs and do not self medicate with a strong, standardized product if you aren't certain of its effects. Try to keep informed with the latest state-of-the-art information that is backed by scientific evident.

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Quite often I hear the complaint, "I am so tired. Can you give me something for energy." What a loaded question! Most people would expect me to reach for an herb or two or a bottle of capsules and announce that just three a day or two cups of tea will give them lots of energy. Not so in a majority of the cases and not even a good idea for the most part. "Energy"  does not come in the form of a pill. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both physically, psychologically and spiritually, result in adequate and at times, abundant energy.

So what is wrong with this picture? Why are we so tired? The subject could fill a whole book but in short exhausted thyroid and adrenals; lack of exercise and balanced nutrition and an over-extended, stressful daily schedule are usually the culprits. As we age our bodies take on more and more abuse. Not only from what we do to it but also from what is done to it that is beyond our control. This would include pollution and other environmental stressors. In order to avoid adrenal exhaustion we need to know how to protect them and nourish them. Ginseng is and herbal adaptogen famous for supporting adrenal health but other not-so-well known adaptogens are borage, ashwaghanda, licorice, asparagus root and suma can all be used as energy tonic adaptogens to improve adrenal insufficiency and other glandular problems.

Adaptogens play a major roll in keeping the adrenals strong so they can withstand pressure. Too much adrenal pressure and stress can compromise the immune system and lead to illness and chronic fatigue. Recurrent infections may be the cause of adrenal exhaustion. Not only will it cause fatigue but in time can led to irreversible damage. Drinking coffee and taking herbs like ma huang and guarana when there is adrenal exhaustion is like whipping a dead horse. A simple home test is to drink a cup of coffee when you are extremely fatigued and if it does nothing or if in one hour you are more exhausted than before the cup of coffee than you may be looking at adrenal exhaustion.

It isn't difficult to support the adrenal glands but it takes time and perseverance. Many herbs used for this are tonic in nature and should be taken for a period of three to six months. Eliminating sugar, refined foods and caffeine is important. If eliminating them is too hard then limiting your intake to maximum 2 cups of coffee a day is acceptable. Instead of reducing your intake of sugar and refined foods substitute with wholesome fruit and organic whole foods. Sometimes this is the approach needed to develop a more disciplined lifestyle.

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism of every cell in the body. Having too little thyroid hormone can result in lethargy, depression, headaches, and difficulty loosing weight, slow reflexes and recurrent infections. A majority of women over forty are probably dealing with some sort of thyroid imbalance and may or may not know it. Thyroid tests will indicate hypo or hyperthyroidism but slight imbalances resulting in fatigue and difficulty loosing weight are common. During the transition into menopause a women's bodies must change the production of hormones from the ovaries to the thyroid, liver, skin and brain. This additional stress to the thyroid can exacerbate the imbalance and slowly upset hormonal production. 

Supplementing the thyroid and endocrine glands with herbs like gentian, sarsaparilla, wild yam, false unicorn and vitex can limit disruption during this stage of life. There are other herbs that are very efficient in solely assisting thyroid function. More often women then men will suffer from this condition. According to James Duke, author of THE GREEN PHARMACY, women are eight times morel likely to develop hypothyroidism and it is especially prevalent in older women. As in all illness a medical doctor should be consulted if the condition is severe or persists.

Emphasis on diet cannot be overrated when it comes to the thyroid. Sea weeds are there most beneficial. They contain natural iodine and are amphoteric in nature. Amphoteric is term applied to an herb or food that will assist that body in finding a balance. Kelp, an amphoteric herb, will treat both hypo and hyperthyroid situations. Adding them to soup, sprinkling them in powdered form on almost any food or going out for an occasional nori roll can incorporate seaweeds. A nori roll is a Japanese appetizer made from rice, vegetable, and fish and wrapped in nori, a type of seaweed. Green leafy vegetables also add minerals to the diet. Mustard greens are a source of tyrosine, a compound that the body utilizes to make thyroid compounds.

Refined sugar and foods deplete the thyroid. St. John's wort will help elevate depression associated with hypothyroidism. Green walnut hulls walnuts, walnut oil, radishes, cayenne, Irish moss, kelp and saw palmetto all help to normalize or support thyroid function. Not getting enough rest also a concern if there is a thyroid problem.

Minerals are important in maintaining thyroid health. Kelp, bladderwrack and dulse are all forms of seaweed that will supply the body with additional minerals need for thyroid health. The added benefit of additional seaweed, especially bladderwrack is that of weight loss when there is a hypothyroid condition present. Kelp is also helpful in assisting the body assimilate all the nutrients from food and has slight diuretic properties.

There are many things that we can do to energize ourselves and it is best to try and understand the nature of the fatigue. If the thyroid is effected there are many natural approaches on can use to treat and eventually heal the condition.

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