When we think of herbs there is the feeling that they are ‘old fashioned’, ‘old wives tales’ and a thing of the past

In our high tech world of computers and gadgetry many of us expect our medicine to have undergone rigorous trials, by brilliant scientists in white coats, made in a shiny laboratory and come in foil packs. Perfect.

But this is only a comparatively recent development. Looking back at the gamut of history the last sixty years years is the mere blink of an eye.

Now let us think of a discovery made that dates from 60,000  years ago.  The people then were savages weren’t they? Savages are like animals, they have no feelings, no culture, no sense of caring? Well there have been finds from 30,000 years ago of figurines, paintings and musical instruments. Not quite so savage.

Found in the Zagros Mountains in north east Iraq are a number of caves that have been shelter to man for many thousands of years. Within the Shanidor cave archeologists unearthed  the remains of a man 60,000 years old.  The pollen found provided information about the medicinal plants used then:

Hollyhock, yarrow, groundsel, St. Barnaby’s thistle, cornflower, marshmallow and grape hyacinth.

A random choice? Six out of the seven are still regarded today as healing herbs by the modern day herbalist in many countries around the world.

Also, this body was laid to rest, not tossed into a pit. This shows an act of reverence and love. The body had been supported by the plant yarrow, a bedding material favoured by modern day Kurds.

Here are the medicinal values of the plants

Yarrow: an astringent, insect repellent, and tonic

Groundsel: purgative and treatment for intestinal worms

Grape hyacinth: digestive stimulant and diuretic

Marshmallow root: for sore throats and digestive problems

Thistle: to rid the body of kidney and bladder stones, and for gravel

Cornflower: menstruation stimulant, uterine tonic and to soothe tired eyes

The Yarrow formed the bedding, and the other plants formed a wreath, together with Hollyhock which in itself is not a particularly significant healing plant, but its inclusion is interesting. It is a plant that grows not in a clump, but on its own. It would have taken some time to collect enough for the wreath.

From the medicinal plants we have treatments for the digestive system, reproductive system and the urinary system. Worms of course are not something that modern man suffers from in the developed world, but would have been useful that situation. Not a bad medicine chest.

This is 60,000 years ago, so that means to have reached this level of sophistication man must have over the preceding centuries perfected this knowledge. It is altogether mind blowing. Compare that to modern times, Aspirin is just over 100 years old. Many drugs have come and gone, fallen into disrepute, done much serious damage to the patients, but still there are people who will choose plant medicine over modern drugs.

One must ask why there is so much done to discredit herbs?

As a matter of fact about 50% of drugs have been inspired by herbs. The white powder created in the Bayer laboratory which became Aspirin was  a man made salicylic acid.  The origins of of the Aspirin is complex but sufficient to say that it was properties in the humble Meadow Sweet (Spiraea ulmaria) that was discovered from the coal tar derivatives.  This was to be the birth of medicine as we know it.

One of the problems with modern medicine is the unwelcome side effects. This is rare with plant medicine, because the plant has its own antidotes. This is near impossible to replicate exactly the herb in the laboratory, as the plant possesses so many of them.

It could be argued that herbs will not tackle modern illness. In many cases true, but most of today’s ills have been brought about by chemicals and pollution. This is a debate for a future paper.

It is worth saying that a modern day herbalist will have studied full time for 5 years to gain a degree in the subject, about the same length of time for a student of medicine to qualify as a doctor. A herbalist will have studied the anatomy of the human body, and the healing properties of the plants.

There is still much to explore in herbal medicine.

The nettle is tough plant, it has managed to survive several ice ages.  To flourish, the nettle needs fertile soil, moisture and sunlight. Early man obliged by clearing the forests, thereby giving it a chance.  It was found growing near Neolithic settlements.

To our ancestors the nettle had many uses.  It was the first green to appear in the spring, and was a most welcome supplement to the diet.In Sweden it was grown as a farm crop, as hay for animals. In Scotland the fibrous stalks were treated in the same way as flax to make bed linen and table cloths. During the First World War the Germans made soldiers uniforms from the nettle. Green plant dye was obtained from the leaves, an yellow from the roots. At the present time research is being carried out to the claims that have been made as to the efficacy of the remedies.

The nettle has a long folk tradition, and information gleaned from Gabrielle Hatfield’s book Memory, Wisdom and Healing illustrates that the knowledge survives in the countryside, and passed down orally.   It is not just the fact that the nettle can treat so much, but how and when to collect the plant, March being suggested as the best time.  Science has proved that the later in the year the plant is picked, the more like it is to be toxic. Many plant constituents peak in the morning, and are best gathered from the shade, and also out of reach of animal pollution.  The diverse range of the plants healing powers are thus, a household might take the tea, for the grandfather it would help his sciatica, the aunt her pleurisy, and the young person to purify the blood.

Constipation is defined as infrequent bowel movements or dry stools leading to a build up of body waste. Constipation often leaves you feeling sluggish, bloated and sometimes, slightly embarrassed.

For many people in the western world the C word is relatively recent problem.  In the old days folk lived more frugally, there were less ‘good’ things to eat. Over a century ago manufacturers developed machines to make sugar and wheat ‘pure’ and ‘refined’, basically taking all the goodness out the them, making them white and tastier.  Naturopaths of the time warned against such folly as it could only lead to ill health. And  thus it has been proven.

What are common contributors to constipation?

White flour which is present in bread, cakes, biscuits and many other processed foods can cause much of the constipation problem. Only a generation back flour and water would be used to hang wallpaper, very successfully! Considering this, it is quite obvious that it can really glue up the intestines.

Sweets, particularly chocolate can have the same constipating quality.  Often I have been beside the bed of a sick person, seriously bunged up, and their well meaning friends and relatives have heaped chocolates and sweets on the top of the locker. Sadly, they are not doing their loved ones any favours.

Too many eggs, they ‘bind’, and too many dairy products are also to blame.

Prescription drugs too have their part to play in this problem. It is said that constipation is a small price to pay for the benefits of some relief from what so ever the medical condition was.  Again I have seen the distress of older people who have been free of constipation all their lives only to suffer it as a result of taking a drug for pain or heart problems. And they are so miserable.

So, the two major factors are wrong foodstuffs an medicine.

Natural ways to ease constipation

There is a booming market in laxatives, and many of them do work.   That is good, but the problem is that they will make the bowel lazy, and that is not so good.   It is necessary to tackle the problem yourself.

Take time to think about the food that you eat.  Write it down, make a list. Highlight the foods that you know to be bad for you, the floury products, dairy products and sweets. What is left? How much of that list included fruit and vegetables? I mean fruit and vegetables that come from the fruit and veggie counter, and not included in some processed meal.

Just lately the UK government is promoting the idea that we need to eat five a day.  That’s a start. So much better if you can exceed that. Yes, it is difficult if you have a family to consider, and not enough time to shop or give  the daily food much thought.It is more than just filling a hole, it is necessary to your whole way of life. Colour on the plate, as many good fruit and veg as possible, and organic.

Why organic?

With any illness there is a need to detoxify the body to give it a fighting chance to recover.   Produce that is not organic contain many harmful pesticides, and just think that if they are used to kill pests then over a period of time they will be harmful for us too.

Now to include the fruit and vegetables that you need. Fruit should be easier to consume. A daily orange at breakfast perhaps kiwi at night, most fruit has a laxative effect. Current thinking is that fruit should be consumed before lunch time.   If you prefer, fruit may be juiced into a pleasant drink. I have come across young women who shudder at the thought of fresh fruit for lunch, when a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps would appeal more.

Eating more vegetables could help ease constipation

It might be harder to persuade on the vegetable front.  Start by introducing a few into the meals, lightly cooked.   Then develop to the raw state, and after a period of time you may find that these are preferable.   It is quite easy to juice, carrots are very pleasant. Try making a coleslaw using carrots, raw onion and cabbage. If required a bit of mayonnaise adds interest.  To this  add fennel and celery. That is a good  basic.   Around the plate arrange nibble sized pieces of broccoli and cauliflower, three different colours of pepper, radish, mini sweet corn, tomato, green beans,  grated beetroot and celeriac.

It is quite easy to have a plateful of raw veggies, looking very colourful.  The supermarkets now a days have a good range, just look and see. To this cottage cheese could be added.

Oats are also excellent, a daily bowl of porridge for breakfast and some oat cakes instead of bread, it is all do-able!

Both the vegetables and the oats contain roughage and fibre which will help things along.

What else can you do to ease constipation?

Drinking plenty of water rather than tea or coffee. Fennel tea is available in health food shops and will help the problem.

Taking liquorice, the Panda variety in the Health Food shops is particularly good.

The Bowel Herbs or laxatives

Rasayana No 1 is an A. Vogel Institute (AVI) product and available from an independent health food shop.   This is a gentle laxative containing Frangula bark.   It is described in the literature as ‘a gentle laxative that does not glue you to the loo’.

If you need ‘a ruthlessly effective laxative’ then try Linoforce, also by AVI. This contains Senna as well as Linseed.

AVI recommend that with severe constipation, blood in the stool or vomiting, then a doctor needs to be consulted.

AVI also offer a Bowel Essence. This is a composition of the Flower Essences  to help with the emotional stresses of such a problem.

It has to be said that with any plant or herbal product the results will not be immediate, so persevere, it probably took a long time to get into that state, give the miracles a chance to work.

Aromatherapy

Another aid would be to massage the tummy in a clockwise direction using cream with oils added. The most suitable oils are Marjoram Rosemary and Fennel.

This is just a small sample of what you can do to help yourself. Remember to look at your dietary habits.