Another prompt to try alternatives in Britain is increasing exasperation with the organisational monolith of the National Health Service. This is not a criticism of the nurses, ancillary workers and doctors valiantly endeavouring to care for their patients but simply an acknowledgment of the faults of the system. An atmosphere of alienation and impersonalisation pervades many waiting rooms, hospital wards and consultations. The field of health and wholeness is the epitome of where small really is beautiful.
Those who have been told that they must learn to live with their illness, or that there is nothing else orthodox medicine can do, will often turn to medical herbalism in the hope that something can be done. Herbal medication may well help, but it is a great pity that such help is not sought earlier. Often it will be in such extreme cases that doctors themselves may even consider alternative therapies, and if little or nothing can be done they will then conclude the approach has no value. The flaws in this attitude are obvious.
It is 1990 and the Green movement grows strong, holism is no longer simply the domain of the fringe, and herbalism is thriving throughout the industrialised West. At long last the world view that this book is embedded in is increasingly seen as the only perspective that offers hope for the future of our society. Whether in health care, politics, economics or any of the multitudinous facets of human endeavour, a change is manifesting that moves us to cooperation, both with each other and with the world we are part of. This transformation is not easy or comfortable but is very, very real. I feel deeply blessed to be able to make this small contribution to the field of Herbal Medicine, one aspect of the dawning human awareness of the embrace of Gaia.
David Hoffmann
The Redwoods, Northern California, June 1990
‘The New Holistic Herbal’ consists of three parts. The Holistic Approach to Herbalism places herbalism into its context, showing plants in their relationship to healing and humanity. The central part of the book discusses herbs and the herbal treatment of the systems of the body. The third part is a traditional herbal which discusses the herbs in detail and provides information about their chemistry and actions, as well as information on gathering and preparing them.
The book can be used in several ways. It can be read from cover to cover as an introduction to herbalism; it can be used as a textbook; it can be used as a source for finding out about the holistic treatment of specific conditions and problems; or it can be used as a traditional herbal to find out more about a particular herb.
The approach to herbalism in this book uses herbs, according to their actions, that work synergistically to provide the body with the most appropriate help to work against disease. In this book the synergistic use of herbs is recommended. A combination of the actions of each herb or herbs must be carefully worked out so that the most appropriate aid is provided in combating disease. A uniform approach to the problem is necessary. The reader needs to decide which actions are needed to counteract a disease, and then consult either The Herbal section, which provides a general description of each herb and its actions, or the section on The Actions of Herbs.
To find information about specific diseases, the reader should consult the Contents for the chapter in which the problem occurs, or look in the General Index for references.
The Herbal section is arranged alphabetically by English names. If the reader knows only the Latin name, the Index of Botanical Names will help in finding the English derivation. A particular herb can be located throughout the book by using the General Index, the Index of English Names and the Index of Botanical Names.
To find out which herbs might be useful in a particular disease, the reader should look to the Repertory section, and then to The Herbal section for more detailed information. When it says in this book, “This may be helpful,” or “That may be considered,” it is for the reader to look herbs up and make the decision.
When to use herbs
Herbs can be used freely and safely as part of one’s lifestyle without thinking of them as ‘medicines’. For specific health needs, their best use would be preventative—to prevent problems appearing. There are specific herbs which strengthen and tone specific organs and systems. These may be used where a tendency towards illness is recognised but no overt disease is present. By using herbs it may well be possible to overcome any weakness.
While each person should find their own herbal ‘ally’, the following may be safely used over extended periods of time:
| Circulatory system | Hawthorn Berries |
| Respiratory system | Mullein |
| Digestive system | Meadowsweet |
| Nervous system | Skullcap |
| Skin | Nettles |
| Muscular and skeletal system | Celery Seed |
| Reproductive system | Raspberry Leaves |
| Urinary system | Buchu |
Apart from prophylactic and culinary uses, herbs are used in specific conditions. Suggestions are given throughout the book for such cases, but self-diagnosis is not advisable. Consult a herbalist, if there is one available, or a doctor to ascertain the nature of your problem.
Duration of treatment
Where a specific condition is being treated, the duration of the appropriate treatment will vary. Constipation should respond quickly, whilst osteo-arthritis will take some time. In general, however, allow two to three weeks before any marked improvement can be expected. If in doubt, see a herbalist.
Dosage
The normal dosage for an adult is given for each herb in the herbal section, and similarly where a mixture is given in the text. For children under twelve this should be reduced by a quarter, and for children under seven by a half. For adults over 65 there should be a quarter reduction and a reduction to half the full dose for people over 70. These are very broad guidelines, and will be less important for a very large strong person of 75 than for a small, frail person of 65.
Drugs
There is usually little to fear in combining herbs with chemical drugs, but there are a number of important exceptions, so consult your doctor and an herbalist. Unfortunately, the doctor will be unlikely to know anything about herbs!
Preparation and dosage of mixtures
Throughout the book herbal mixtures are suggested that can support the body in healing itself. Depending on the specific case, those mixtures can be adapted accordingly.
With each mixture, recommendations are made as to the way they should be prepared. Their respective properties are given in parts, meaning proportions of weight of dried herbs, and instructions for their preparation