Introduction To Herbalism Theory Presentation

Here is the Power Point for the first herbalism lecture. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Introduction To Herbalism Theory

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Feeling the Burn—Herbal Relief for Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Heartburn and acid reflux are among the most common chronic conditions in our population, and with the state no longer covering the cost of a very well-known prescription medication, I thought you might be in some alternative treatments.

First, let me mention that suffering from a serious case of acid reflux requires a significant diet change. If you haven’t eliminated most of the aggravating foods, such as tea, carbonated beverages, and coffee from your diet, you will find few natural remedies will work for you. Additionally, inconsistent meal choices and eating patterns can also aggravate this condition. In other words, you can naturally treat this problem, but it will require a bit of responsibility on your part.

I do have severe acid reflux problems, and have successfully treated the condition by keeping a light, but consistent diet supplemented by a few herbs. Let me tell you how I go about treating this problem.

First let me tell you of the dietary changes I have made. I switched to a low acid coffee life Folgers simply smooth. I’m way too addicted to give up my daily cup(s), so this is one of the allowances I gave myself. Next, I incorporated healthy oils, such as a good organic olive oil and organic coconut oil into my daily diet. Because I stick to a very low fat diet, none of my typical foods really protected and soothed by stomach during digestion, but these oils do a pretty good job. As long as my diet is consistent, I have found this is helpful for 60-70% of acid related problems.

Now on to herbs and other helpful digestive remedies. I will list the name of the herb (both vernacular and Latin), followed by the information. Additionally, I will post a link that will take you to a page giving you information about potential drug interactions.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis): One of my favorite herbs, ginger is stellar at treating a broad range of digestive issues. It aids digestion, protects stomach lining, and reduces internal inflammation. Click here for more information. You can use it in a variety of forms, but I recommend just going to the grocery store and buying a fresh root. I drink a cup of tea made with fresh ginger 3 times a day, and actually keep a piece of rhizome in my office if anyone would like to stop by for a test drive. Click here for potential drug interactions.



Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): This herb contains chemicals that sooth the digestive tract, and is commonly used for this purpose in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you’re squeamish about consuming things with an odd flavor, licorice is going to be a good herb for you. The alcohol-based extract (which I use) does not have the characteristic candy taste, it just tastes sweet. I recommend a standardized tincture for moderate use, but this herb does have a lot of drug interactions, so be sure to read this.



Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: I use this daily, and I honestly have no logical reason to give you as to why this works for acid reflux. I put a splash (we like these technical terms in herbalism) of the vinegar in a tall glass of cold water and sip it when I get home from work. It works, and it’s cheap. It has to be organic, which you can find at Deep Roots or Earthfare. You will want to use a straw as you drink it to protect tooth enamel, and feel free to sweeten it with honey (which is also awesome for this problem). Click here for side effects.

Activated Charcoal: If I am just having an off day, and my stomach is giving me problems that may or may not be a virus, I take two activated charcoal capsules. Charcoal, basically, is the most awesome cure-all for stomach problems. I will be featuring it in my third herbalism presentation. Basically, it gets into your digestive tract and absorbs EVERYTHING. It’s used for drug overdose, food poisoning, as well as simple stomach complaints. I keep a bottle in my purse at all times. If you would like to try it, shoot an email to me. It is cheaper to buy over the internet, but you can purchase it at Earthfare or Deep Roots. SIDE EFFECTS: As I said, this stuff absorbs everything, so if you take medication, it is going to be absorbed as well. Wait at least two hours between using life sustaining medication and this remedy. Also, do not use this long term, as it will absorb the various nutritive ingredients of your food. Think of activated charcoal like the ultimate antacid that you should use when you have a major problem

What I have mentioned above is what I use to treat my problems, and if you have any questions, please let me know. Remember I am not a healthcare professional—in case there was any doubt. We will cover a vareity of stomach issues in the upcoming lectures.

Staff Development Presentations: Alternative Medicine Series

Staff Development Presentations: Alternative Medicine Series

The Staff Development Committee is sponsoring a series of presentations devoted to alternative medicine for University Libraries’ staff. This is a five part series devoted to herbal medicine, and will be led by Stacey Krim. Each session will last between an hour to an hour and a half, and will be offered twice a month. Here is a brief description of planned sessions:

January: Introduction to Herbalism History and Theory

Every form of medical care follows a paradigm of health and wellbeing. How each perspective interprets health and wellness will affect diagnosis and treatment. Before you pick up a book on herbalism, read a website, or engage an herbalist, you need to know the perspective of health care that is being assumed. In this session, we will discuss the basic models of health and treatment in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western herbal traditions, and how the viewpoint of each model influences how herbal medicines are prescribed.

February: Using Herbs Safely: Herbal Preparations, Laws, and Regulation

What is a dietary supplement, and how does it differ from taking a prescription drug or just eating a vegetable, for that matter? In this session, we will discuss what you need to know to be a safe and savvy consumer of commercial herbal medicines. Additionally, the main types of herbal preparations (tisane, capsule, infusion) will be explained. If you are only able to attend one session, attend this one.

March: Herbal First Aid

From food poisoning to burns, we will cover specific alternative health remedies for these as well as the following conditions:

~Cuts/abrasions/burns
~Headaches and migraines
~Cold and flu symptoms

***If you have any other conditions you would like me to address, please let me know.

April: Herbs for Wellbeing

In this session, we will discuss specific herbs commonly used in treating:

~Fatigue (sleep problems/lack of energy)
~Depression and Anxiety
~Hormonal Balance (women and men)
~Diabetes

***If you have any other conditions you would like me to address, please let me know.

May or June: Herbal Miscellanea—Other Uses for Medicinal Plants

Do flowers really have an energy field that can heal emotional trauma? Is it really possible for an essential oil to increase mental clarity? Follow me as I tackle some of the lesser understood herbal models, as I explain the basics of Bach Flower Essences, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.

May or June: Wild Crafting and Herb Walk
How many medicinal and edible plants can you spot from the front steps of the library? Join me on a campus hunt for medicinal plants.


If anyone has any questions about these presentations, or would like to suggest a particular topic please let me know.

Green Leak of the Month: Green Holiday Tips

• Plant a tree in someone’s name from Arbor Day, Nature Conservancy, or Eco-Libris.
• Make a wish list at a variety of online sites or email it to close friends or family. (rather than give or receive an unwanted gift that will go to waste … or …. see the next item…
• Re-Gifting is NOT a crime! If you do not like a gift you receive keep it in the original packaging and give to someone who would like it. If the gift is valuable, Craigslist is a great way to even make money on the item if you can not return it to the store. If no one would like it then donate it to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or other thrift store to give it one more chance before it goes to the landfill.
• Give the gift of experiences/activities. Buy tickets for plays, concerts, tours or other fun events such as a play, a symphony, a winery tour, cooking, art, or dancing classes, or a visit to a therapeutic specialist ( professional massage is NEVER a bad gift
• Feed and hydrate your loved ones. Making a pie, baking some cookies, infusing your favorite vodka, or reviving Grandmother’s recipe for those you love is a meaningful and unique gift.
• Seeds: the gift that will continue to keep on giving. Heirloom tomatoes and herb seeds are great gifts that will bear fruit well into the future.
• Honor your loved one with a donation in their name. Heifer Project gives those in need all around the world animals that will give them a hand up. American Red Cross, Animal Shelters,Orphanages and Battered Women Shelters are always in need. Go online and find a reputable charity that will put your money to work helping others.
• Reuse papers to wrap gifts, regular glossy wrapping paper is not recyclable but newspaper and magazines are…. or try old maps (as a former Map Librarian I still have some old maps I can use and reuse as cool wrapping paper)
• Be creative with shipping containers and ways of packing the goodies. Pop corn or balled up newspaper are much better than Styrofoam. If you have Styrofoam then find a way to reuse it in another package. While not recyclable Styrofoam peanuts can be brought to any UPS store where they will gladly take it for reuse.
• Look for fair trade products or items made of recycled materials.
• Sierra Club has more green Christmas tips, Treehugger has a 2009 gift guide, and the Daily Green has a variety of categories to choose from (such as item under $20, Safe green toys, DIY gifts, etc) or check out the Green Depot. I personally love Global Girlfriend – not only fair trade items but made by women.

From Going Green @ your library blog.

Who am I?

December's Who am I?

Can you guess who this is? We will unveil the answer at the end of the month. Whoever chooses the correct person first wins! What do you win? The chance to pick the next contestant for Who am I? Click on Post a Comment to venture your guess.

1) If you could pick 3 countries to visit today where would you go and why?

Scotland – because it’s the land of my ancestors.
Japan – because it’s the land of kenjutsu and anime.
Greece – because it’s the birthplace of Western philosophy, and I’d like to visit Mycenae, Pylos, Knossos and all those sites – that would be great.

2) Who would play you in a movie about your life?

I guess maybe Uma Thurman since she’s already got the sword fighting training from “Kill Bill”

3) What would be your 3 main rules if you ran your own country?

1. It would be recognized that all entities classified under kingdom Animalia (under five, or greater, kingdom classification systems) have natural rights, and these rights would also be legal rights at the national level.

2. All activities would be carried out in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

3. Development of land would be limited, leaving at least 60% of the land as undeveloped wildlife habitat, inclusive of all major types of habitat and with these areas being meaningfully contiguous. This should work out fine, since everyone will probably move out of the country after they hear about the rules, so there will be plenty of free space.

Hot Attraction! - New Best Seller?

Hot off the presses of the American Philosophical Society is Magnetic Fever. The author is Christopher Carter, son of Betty Carter. A re-working of his Duke dissertation, the book will help beef up the QC807 section of the catalog. It is not on the shelf yet--but should be in the near future. Go read!!

More information about Magnetic Fever

Betty

Thank You

As the chair of the SECC Committee, John Rife, stated, the 2009 Campaign took place during extraordinary economic times. Even with all of the challenges, UNCG rose to not only reach the goal of $230,000 but to surpass it. Yes, with your participation, UNCG provided a total of




Thank you - from your solicitors, Clara Kelly, Fran Rubio, and Carolyn Shankle; from the SECC Committee, from Chancellor Brady, and most of all from the organizations supported through the United Way.

The Library had a 97% return rate for envelopes with 9 out of 10 units returning 100% of envelopes - again, your solicitor deeply appreciates your participation!

Peggy Woods recognized our own Clara Kelly for her years of service and her upcoming retirement. Peggy is correct that the Library will look for another solicitor to assist with the 2010 campaign. Interested? You can speak with any of the three of us and/or Peggy Woods.

Still interested in participating in the 2009 campaign? You can - just get in touch with Peggy Woods who will guide you through the process.

Best,
Carolyn Shankle