Beginner question - dosages

[Guest guest]

It really depends on what you are treating, as some books will give you a

" recipe " of 3-5 herbs, and quantify as 1 part this...2 parts that, but if you

just want the average daily adult dose (and aren't going to hold this as " in

stone " for all circumstances, the here goes:

 

St. john's Wort : 1-2 tsp. of the dried herb steeped for 10-15 mins. w/ a cup of

boiling water; drink 3x/day.

 

Valerian : same as above as needed

 

Chamomile : 2 tsp. w/a cup of boiling water steeped for 5-10 mins. after meals

for digestive problems; stronger as a mouthwash for gingivitis; 1/2 cup flowers

boiled in 2L/4pts. of water, cover head w/ towel and inhale steam.

 

White willow : (avoid if allergic to aspirin or other salicylates) Take rouchly

a handful of bark and throw in to a cup or two of boiling water, and let steep

for 10 mins.. (no dosage given)

 

**First 3 taken from The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal; the last from The

Green Pharmacy***

 

Someone else may be able to shed more light, but for your " stage " purpose, this

should get you started.

 

In Health,

Steve

-----------------------------

Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a average

adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and please tell me if I

can't use them in a tea!)

 

White willow

Chamomile

Valerian

St. John's Wort

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

The following dosages I found in the Pdr for Herbal Medicines, 1st edition:

White willow : (avoid if allergic to aspirin or other salicylates) Take 2-3

grams (1 tsp. = 1.5 grams) of finely cut or coarsely powdered " drug " in cold

water, boil, then allow to steep 5 mins., strain. Avg. daily dose corresponding

to 60-120 mg. total salicylin, or 1 cup 3-5x/day for an infusion.

 

In Health,

Steve

-----------------------------

Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a average

adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and please tell me if I

can't use them in a tea!)

 

White willow

Chamomile

Valerian

St. John's Wort

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a

average adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and

please tell me if I can't use them in a tea!)

 

White willow

Chamomile

Valerian

St. John's Wort

 

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

We need a little more information. What are you trying to accomplish with these

herbs, and are you planning to

use all of them in a blend, or do you want to use them one at a time?

 

skogsedwig wrote:

 

> Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a

> average adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and

> please tell me if I can't use them in a tea!)

>

> White willow

> Chamomile

> Valerian

> St. John's Wort

>

> Thanks!

>

> -

 

 

 

--

Jennie

SilverMist Garden

Exploring lost arts of living naturally

[Guest guest]

Looks like somebody is trying to calm down a bit. That's what these herbs

have in common.

 

White willow: the warning against taking it if you're allergic to aspirin

is a good one! Be careful!

 

Chamomile: Also known as Manzanilla among our Hispanic brethren, and often

cheaper from those sources. I like to harvest it in the Colorado mountains

above 8000 feet, where it grows profusely. It has a long history of use for

promoting sleep. It is used extensively for infants in homeopathy. A few

people are allergic to it, as it appears to produce reactions in those who

are already allergic to ragweed and goldenrod. Otherwise, it is safe. Less

than a teaspoon in a cup is a proper dose. Many commercial blends include

it, particularly " Sleepy Time " by Celestial Seasonings, which was one of

Mo's first formulas back in the early 70's. Chamomile mixes very well with

other herbs, especially peppermint and hops.

 

Valerian: One of the worst flavors among herbs. This is used to reduce

excess excitement and sometimes for insomnia, and again has a very long

history. Because of its horrible flavor, Valerian is best used in very

small amounts in combination with herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, and

clove. It should not be used for depression.

 

St. John's Wort: Probably one of the most extensively researched herbs

these days. Much of the research has been done in Germany, where they have

determined it is not " inherently " toxic, but does cause reactions in a few

people. Most of these reactions involve very fair-skinned folks, and

involve creating a high sensitivity to sunlight -- a trait shared with the

phenothiazine drugs such as Thorazine and Mellaril. This reaction has been

long known historically, and is extreme in some animals, particularly sheep.

As for use in humans, it is often ineffective for depression. That's

because most mental problems are really spiritual problems, and thus do not

change much no matter what substance is taken. But since depression is so

rampant in Western societies, and our cultures have been massively

propagandized with " brain chemistry " theories of depression, lots of people

try it out of desperation. St. John's Wort should not be used in teas,

generally. If you check the older herbals, you will find that it was always

used in very complex and difficult to prepare formulas, most of which

involve brandy and several days of brewing. I realize that some people will

swear by it, and if it seems to be working for them, that's fine, since it

has been determined to be nontoxic. But many more will receive no effect at

all from its tea (or capsules), and we should be aware of that.

 

Hope this helps. Questions are always welcome, either on the list or

privately. But tomorrow i will be out working all day in Breckenridge,

where lots of chamomile grows.

 

At 12:59 AM 8/5/01 -0000, you wrote:

>Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a

>average adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and

>please tell me if I can't use them in a tea!)

>

>White willow

>Chamomile

>Valerian

>St. John's Wort

>

>Thanks!

>

 

-- Michael Riversong **

Professional Harpist, Educator, and Writer **

RivEdu ** Phone: (307)635-0900 FAX (413)691-0399

http://home.earthlink.net/~mriversong

[Guest guest]

Oh, Ok. Thanks Steve. Didn't make the connection. I did read the original

posts. In that case, Ditto to what Steve said.

 

bigbird3969 wrote:

 

> Jennie,

> In case you've missed her past posts, she is trying to work her way through

some skepticism to learn a little about basic herbology, and wherever it may go

from there, and also, using these as " stage props " that she wishes to appear to

know what she is doing.

>

> That's the jest of it to get you up to par, and if anything has or does

change, I'm sure you'll let us know!

>

> In Health,

> Steve

> -----------------------------

> We need a little more information. What are you trying to accomplish with

these herbs, and are you planning to

> use all of them in a blend, or do you want to use them one at a time?

>

> skogsedwig wrote:

>

> > Okay, been away, done some research, and now I'd like how much is a

> > average adult dose of dried herbs in a tea of the following (and

> > please tell me if I can't use them in a tea!)

> >

> > White willow

> > Chamomile

> > Valerian

> > St. John's Wort

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > -

>

> --

 

Jennie

SilverMist Garden

Exploring lost arts of living naturally

[Guest guest]

OOOPs. Went back and re read Steve's post. Need to retract my ditto on the

white willow bark. With all barks and roots they should be started in cold

water, brought to a boil, then simmered at least 10 minutes (longer if the

pieces are thick). Then I put a lid

on mine and let them steep til they are cool enought to drink before I strain

them.

I also left my URL on my last post. . .again. Sorry.

 

Jennie wrote:

 

> Oh, Ok. Thanks Steve. Didn't make the connection. I did read the original

posts. In that case, Ditto to what Steve said.

>

> bigbird3969 wrote:

>

> > Jennie,

> > In case you've missed her past posts, she is trying to work her way through

some skepticism to learn a little about basic herbology, and wherever it may go

from there, and also, using these as " stage props " that she wishes to appear to

know what she is doing.

> >

 

--

Jennie

[Guest guest]

herbal remedies, " bigbird3969 " <bigbird3969@m...> wrote:

> Jennie,

> In case you've missed her past posts, she is trying to work her way

through some skepticism to learn a little about basic herbology, and

wherever it may go from there, and also, using these as " stage props "

that she wishes to appear to know what she is doing.

 

Eh, it is a bit more than " stage props " and " appearing " to know what

you are doing. It isn't a stage role, it is live action historical

re-enactment. It is more like living a character than a stage role -

we'll be out in the woods digging our own outhouse holes and such

(okay, so we use TP... . I'm going to be genuinely prescribing

this stuff, and people will be using it for real complaints. It is

pretty important that I know enough of what I'm doing to not make

anyone sick! White willow, for example, I already know is EXACTLY the

same active ingredient as aspirin (as a matter of fact, that's how

aspirin got itself " discovered " ) and I know that has some serious side

effects, like thinning of the blood, and should not be taken in excess

or you will cause harm. With two reccomendations for either " a

handful " or 1-2 teaspoons (1.5-3 grams) I worry about my ability to

help and not harm with that one...

 

Things like St. John's Wort and Valerian and actually more for my

personal reference - don't think I'll be treating too much depression

and anxiety out there in the forest, I hope. But I " m also in training

as a psychologist and run into many people who don't trust

psychopharmaceuticals. Again, real people with real concerns will be

relying on me to help and not hurt them.

 

I'm sorry I presented my original concern in such a way as to make it

seem frivilous. Hope this helps clear it up.

 

Another thing I have been suggested and found a bit of research to

back up is thyme for coughs and sore throats. I assume you'd brew

this in a tea as well (tea in general seems to make my throat feel

better). Any comments on safe doses there?

[Guest guest]

skogsedwig wrote:

 

> Eh, it is a bit more than " stage props " and " appearing " to know what

> you are doing. It isn't a stage role, it is live action historical

> re-enactment. It is more like living a character than a stage role -

> we'll be out in the woods digging our own outhouse holes and such

> (okay, so we use TP... .

 

What? you mean there's no mullein growing there? teheehee. its nick name is

girl scout toilet paper.

 

> I'm going to be genuinely prescribing

> this stuff, and people will be using it for real complaints. It is

> pretty important that I know enough of what I'm doing to not make

> anyone sick! White willow, for example, I already know is EXACTLY the

> same active ingredient as aspirin (as a matter of fact, that's how

> aspirin got itself " discovered " ) and I know that has some serious side

> effects, like thinning of the blood, and should not be taken in excess

> or you will cause harm. With two reccomendations for either " a

> handful " or 1-2 teaspoons (1.5-3 grams) I worry about my ability to

> help and not harm with that one...

 

Well in that case I must tell you that I've had good luck using white willow in

pain pillows to relieve pain.

You might be able to be of some help with a poltice, or just wrap some in a

cloth and apply.

 

> Things like St. John's Wort and Valerian and actually more for my

> personal reference - don't think I'll be treating too much depression

> and anxiety out there in the forest, I hope.

 

St. John's Wort is not just for depression. It is used in salves and compresses

to treat wounds and for an

astringent. It can be taken internally for mild depression, but it may take up

to 2 months for any effects to

be noticed.

 

> But I " m also in training

> as a psychologist and run into many people who don't trust

> psychopharmaceuticals. Again, real people with real concerns will be

> relying on me to help and not hurt them.

>

> I'm sorry I presented my original concern in such a way as to make it

> seem frivilous. Hope this helps clear it up.

>

> Another thing I have been suggested and found a bit of research to

> back up is thyme for coughs and sore throats. I assume you'd brew

> this in a tea as well (tea in general seems to make my throat feel

> better). Any comments on safe doses there?

 

The Herbal Pharmacy doesn't give any contraindications about the herb, only the

essential oil.Yes you would make

a tea (about 1 tsp per cup of water)of it unless you have time to tincture some

and want to get into that.

 

Another good general herb to have on hand is sage. It is good for sore throat

as well as indigestion and other

digestive disorders. There is a very old saying that says " why should a man be

ill if he has sage in his

garden. "

 

With all herbal teas I sweeten lightly with honey, because honey is a carrier

and helps your system assimilate

the herbs more completely and quickly.

Hope this is of some help

Jennie