Let's stop and consider our own perceptions around the use of herbs. I hesitated about even posting on this subject and when I asked my mom if I could find cheese cloth at Wal-Mart, I didn't want to tell her it was to make a poultice (a warm, wet cloth used to hold herbs so they can absorb into the skin). Heck, I don't even want to use the words "tincture" or "poultice", they're such strange words! As I referenced in my first post on this topic, I don't even like the phrase "herbal remedy" because some people might think it sounds a little backwoods-ish.
My aunt has described me as granola for years and I think my friends and family are simply getting used to my strange ways. But why does using herbs have to be strange?
Consider the most used herb in America: coffee. Not too much is strange about that, is there?
What about garlic? My very normal parents have used garlic for years. In garlic's case, I'm guessing our culture/media has made garlic socially acceptable. Echinacea, St. John's Wart, and a few others are somewhat acceptable as well. But what about Wormwood, Sage, or Red Root? Not so much.
No one in America likes to stand out too much (okay, not most people, anyway). We don't want to be thought of as weird or eccentric. Using herbs might mean we have to don Birkenstocks, smoke weed and deliver our babies alone at home (or maybe even birth at home in Birks while smoking weed!).
Well, times are a changin' my friends! There are more "normal" looking people out there drinking raw milk, eating organic whole food, and avoiding antibiotics. These are regular moms and dads, businessmen and women, and professionals.
I challenge you to examine your reasons for raising your eye brows at herbs. Is it because our grand FDA hasn't approved them? Have you looked at the good the FDA does (note the dripping sarcasm here). Is it because science has told us there's a better solution? If you look closely, science is trying to stay a step ahead of antibiotic resistant organisms-and eventually science may have to concede. Drug resistant bacteria adapt faster than we can keep up. After reading this book (hang in there until tomorrow and I'll list my resources!), I'm wondering if the war on terror is not against bin Laden but against drug resistant bacteria!
My caveat for today-I don't own Birks nor have I ever smoked weed.
Peace Out.
2 comments:
I do believe the pendulum is swinging back towards homeopathy! We've had a good 50 years of "better living through chemicals" and found that it is not quite so. I'm not saying we can do completely without allopathic care--my dad wouldn't be here today if he didn't have an excellent surgeon. I think all types of care should be available to patients so they can make an informed decision and allopathic doctors shouldn't disregard the roots of medicine.
Proud to be cruchy with ya Wendy!
I think that folks are more "out of the closet" on this subject than you think. I for one would be the last person that you probably would expect to be interested in this subject. But the facts are, healthcare is in jeopardy and we are going to have to know how to take care of ourselves more. As my kids get older, it is easier to stay out of the dr office, but the need still arises time to time...some of these herbal remedies could prevent a visit or two. When you get into wildcrafting, let me know! ;)
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