Medicinal plant forum?

I was thinking a medicinal plants forum would be cool. I know this is becoming more popular. From just knowing what benefits you get from the herbs you already use to Chinese diets as medicine to making your own medicines. Most of the herb books I've been looking at recently have a medicinal uses section.

My husband has an under active thyroid and therefore high blood pressure and high cholesterol. We've already gone to a different diet to deal with this, but I'd like to boost it by using plants that help with these issues.

I wanted to post some questions, but I've been some what reluctant to do so. For one thing I'm not sure where I should post it, herbs? The topic would have to be split over so many different forums . Sustainable Alternatives comes to mind as another possibility of where to post, creating medicine that can be regrown year after year. Herbs obviously, but not all medicinal plants are herbs. Organic farming, because you don't want pesticides in your medicine. Native Plants and Wild Plants, since many medicinal plants can be collected in the wild. Propagation, most people that would grow their own medicine would want to be able to grow them year after year. Recipes, for knowing what to do with the herbs you just eat to get the benefits. Canning and Freezing? for making tinctures, oils, vinegars and honey mixtures. Others are less clear cut but might be included in this list.

It seems to me that if there is enough interest this would be a great addition. Get one place to discuss this rather that having to split it between so many different forums and having no where that is really set-up for the questions.

Is there interest in this out there? I can't believe I'm alone in this interest.

You're not alone -- try posting this same thread in another forum...the people are out there -- you just have to bump into them. Godspeed!

I think it would be a fine idea...with all of the necessary warnings stated right up front of course.

I would love to learn about medicinal plants.

But make sure if you post somewhere else that you give people a link to this thread and tell them they have to come here and express interest, this is where Dave and Terry will pay attention and see if there's enough interest to justify a new forum.

It's worth posting in the various forums just for that.

Is it ok to post the same message in multiple forums in a case like this?

I'd ask you to be very selective: choose one or two other forums to post in, and point them back to this thread. (Numerous cross-postings tend to generate complaints ;o)

that's why I asked first :o)

I'd certainly be interested in a medicinal plants forum. I wonder if a warning could be somehow made to attach itself to every thread? We surely would want everyone to know they're taking their chances, even if the person writing is a certified herbalist. I mean, we can all imagine the consequences if one DGr were to mention digitalis is good for the heart -- and another up and chowed down on a bunch of foxgloves. (I'm tired -- it IS foxgloves, isn't it?)

Brididlily -- That was my main concern about a medicinal plant forum.
People take meds that may be contraindicated, have allergies, or
may be tempted to use plants that are not even appropriate for what they
have self-diagnosed as the condition to be treated. Not all medicinal plants
are safe to use without some education.

What I'm hoping for is somewhere to talk about those issues, with the appropriate warnings, so people have more education on the subject.

"I wonder if a warning could be somehow made to attach itself to every thread?" If this is possible it would be great.

I would love to see a forum like this and think education about this is better than lack of. I hope you posted in the herb forum. There's already been some talk about this there.
Good luck!
~Susan

I'm interested in the subject but wouldn't reference it on a forum, for educational reasons, I'd want to read about it in books or online sites that specialize in this sort of thing. For me, if I did have a question about herbs for x, y, z I would first check the herbs forum and expect it wouldn't be to uncommon to ask questions there about herbs.

As far as warnings go I think DG has already established in their guidelines they are not responsible for member/subscriber posts, opinions, etc.

There have been recent articles written by a DGer about medicinal herbs her Aunt used to help her whole town with (I'm sure many of you have read it) and I found that was a pretty good read.

I'd be very interested in a medicinal herb forum.

I think the biggest concern I have is the potential liability for the individuals.

I like the idea but there are so many varieties of each plant - plants change it different areas of your yard -- but telling me to take 2 aspirins and telling wife to take 2 aspirins is just stupid . I weigh 270 and she weighs 120 .

I would like to see such a forum, like all the others with the explanation that is is not professional.

I'd like to see this become a forum, as well. Medicinal herbs are being grown and used, and I'd think it better to do it from an educated perspective. I have LOTS of books, and have read lots of sites, and while it's helpful, I need to ask questions. They're not earthshaking questions, and it's mostly about identifying stuff. For example, I have lots of stuff that looks like dandelions. They are not dandelions. I need to know what they _might_ be, so I can look them up.
I hope it will be considered :)

I've been growing, preparing, and using my own medicines for two years now--it's become second nature to me, and I'd LOVE a forum dedicated to medicinal herbs. I think there's a lot of fear surrounding using herbs for medicine, and I think NOT talking about it only serves to increase that fear. I certainly wouldn't consider an Internet forum to be the "it" source for herbal medicine information, but there's something about a forum that a book cannot provide--a sense of community and a real, up-to-the-minute discourse with people who are in the process of engaging with medicinal herbs. Forums can be amazing resources, when combined with proper research. I'd be thrilled to become a part of such a forum.

Not to mention real people talking about the pros/cons they had using the product. I use Healthy Living for checking out "real" medications when I start taking them to see what other peoples experiences with them have been.

catmad, post a pic of your "not dandelion" plant and let's see if it can be identified.

Herbalbetty, I'm not sure that I can find much identifiable right now, it's been so dry. There are two different ones, I'll see if I can at least find one intact. Thanks:)

I think more people are using alternatives to the chemical prescription medications that are way too expensive and sometimes can be more dangerous than any info they give to patients. The herbal teas I get (or grow) can really come in handy sometimes. And I know where to get other things that don't come as teas. Not that I don't use prescription medications also when I need to, mind you. Anyway, I'd welcome a forum like that.

I would like to see this as a forum.

Let's see some activity in the herbs forum on this subject: if it grows big enough to crowd out the other herb threads and needs a separate forum, we'll happily set it up!

It would probably help find seeds sources . I am looking for -- Istafiate --
Cudweed sagewort, Silver sagebrush, Istafiate, Iztauhyátl, Ajenjo del país, Estafiate de Castilla
All the same - just different names .

Terry, I would contend that the potential "liability" issue is why the subject of medicinal herbs/traditional medicines would warrant a separate forum. A liability disclaimer could be posted at the top of the forum advising forum participants that they agree to be responsible for their own well being, and agree to hold DG and its members harmless, as a condition to participating in the the medicinal herb/traditional medicine forum.

That makes sense to me.

I think it's a great idea too. I'm looking for alternatives to some of my RX's. My doctor is aware of this & occasionally will "suggest" a supplement to try. Plus I love the idea that I might be making something that was done in the past to improve a medical condition.

This message was edited Jul 20, 2008 8:28 PM

You're so lucky to have a doctor who will make alternative suggestions...I've never had a doctor that does that.

I've had a doctor growl at it, does that count?

brigidlily - lol, try being on DSHS health care and talking about herbs and chiropractic care. It’s starts as a blank stare and if you push it they write you a mental health referral. Actually, it’s not that bad, I was trying to get the mental health referral that day. Still got the blank look and “I don’t know about that.” Comments.

Before I retired I was an out of hospital or licensed midwife.

Part of our 3 year training was use of complementary medicine.We used many herbal remedies and other modalities.Any discussion of medicinal herbs on DG should be just another source to provoke further study.

That said I would like to see a forum on this topic.

I was in WalMart yesterday, and found a rack of seeds from Plantation something-or-other labeled "Medicinal Herbs". It was pretty empty, but there were still packs of Calendula, Lavender, Catnip, Nasturtiums and others, all with their medicinal uses printed on a flap attached to the pack. If that isn't evidence of mainstream interest, I don't know what would be :):)
There didn't seem to be a disclaimer of any kind.

Wow! That's interesting. When you see things such as capsules of cinnamon they'll have disclaimers -- like "these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA" (as if their evaluation meant something other than Pfizer has not paid them to okay this) or a notice to discuss it with your physician before you take it. Of course, seeds are not for consumption. Somebody at some point is going to hound them about the use of the word "medicinal" though, which is pretty pathetic.

downscale_babe, you're a midwife! How wonderful. I gave birth to my first son in the hospital and had the other three at home with midwives. NO comparison. I agree -- it should provoke thought and broaden our knowledge, including that we each have responsibility for our choices. Chewing a willow twig instead of taking an aspirin is one thing -- someone who has been prescribed xanax chugging down St. John's Wort is a whole nother matter!

If you anybody is taking large amounts of cinnamon, make sure it is not CASSIA cinnamon, which is the kind usually sold in stores. There are problems caused by taking too much of that.

A medicinal plant forum is an excellent idea. I take St. John's Wort and am curious if I could grow this myself and consequently save money. I hope others will be interested, too.

After weighing many of the pros and cons expressed here, I'm now ready to cast my vote FOR a Medicinal Plant forum. My interests would be in the growing, not just the use of the herbs. A 'sticky' disclaimer is a good idea!

sarahn - I know you can grow it. I've never done it. I don't have the book I need to see what it requires, but when I get it back I'll let you know.

Sarahn, St. John's wort is very easy to grow from seed or from plant starts. It likes full sun (I speak from the north) and average garden soil and will even grow in "waste places". Now is the time of year when it is blooming for us and the time when it should be gathered. You can make infused oils for topical use (excellent for nerve pain) and a tincture or tea. It really is a wonderful plant.

The interesting thing about St. J is a few year's ago, capsules were standardized to 3-4% hypericin, because that is what pharm companies believed was the active ingredient and the concentration they believed to be most effective for depression. Then, they believed they made a mistake and thought hyperfloricin was the ingredient that should be isolated and concentrated. Herbalists have been complaining that whole plant (in tea or tincture form) was needed as all the chemicals in the plant work synergistically and once you isolate and concentrate, you no longer have an herb, you have a phytopharmaceutical.