The Energetics of Westeern Herbs

[Guest guest]

I want to call readers' attention to this book review by Mary Kay Ryan on

the acupuncture.com site.

 

Sometimes easy availability will be a factor in which herbs get used. Other

properties being equal, herbalists will tend to go with herbs which are

easier to obtain. In the West this means native Western herbs.

 

Sometimes herbs native to the West have special properties that will dictate

their use. Like in the case of American Ginseng which the Chinese import a

lot of, especially if it's grown in forests instead of under artificial

shade.

 

One special area of interest for me are herbs that are very readily

available and can be used in cooking - like those found in the spice and

produce sections of the supermarket. In TCM, diet is the first line of

defense.

 

I'm aware of some processing problems with herbs in supermarket spice

sections, but sometimes these are all that are available.

 

One year at Christmas I prepared a special Christmas gift for two relatives

and a friend of theirs. I bought 3 loose leaf notebooks. I chose some

medical conditions and symptoms I knew they were interested in and prepared

information detailing the use of a particular herb or food in treating that

condition. One relative has problems with Cold, so there was a section on

ginger and its warming properties as well as its other properties.

Following the basic information on each herb or food, I included recipes

using that herb or food. I also included a section on growing the herb

since one of the 3 is very interested in growing things. I also included

detailed diagrams and information on some acupoints that can be used in

acupressure along with the herb or food. Along with the notebook, I

included a bottle of each herb from a local supermarket. For those new to

herbalism, this is an easy introductory approach to learning that a person

can start to use right away in the kitchen.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

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