Herbal Magic 101Medicine, Health, Mind and Body : Herbal Magic 101Medicine, Health, Mind and Body
Slide 2 : Overview
Disclaimers
History of Herbal medicines
Uses in Modern Medicines
Aromatherapy – By Judie Snelson
Slide 3 : History of Herb Medicine
Oldest Know
There are believed to be the oldest known refernces/uses of Herbs for Medical and/or magic
A Neanderthal that was buried 60,000 years ago with ground marshmallow, yarrow and groundsel, which are still in use today.
Lascaux Caves in France - The first historical pictorial use of plants was found in cave paintings on the walls of the Lascaux Caves in France. The herbal healing pictures were documented in the cave paintings and were radiocarbon dated to between 13,000 to 25,000 BC. The walls depict numerous herbs.
Ebers Papyrus 1500 B.C – contains about 110 ft of papyrus with appoc 700 recipies another is know as Edwin Smith papyrus is from around 1600 B.C. and a thrid from 1300 B.C. is the medical Brugsch Papyrus. including wormwood, peppermint, myrrh, aloe, henbane and castor oil. The papyrus also notes the used of moldy bread on sores and wounds to prevent infection.
Slide 4 : Otzi Iceman (died 5,300 years ago) had Birch fungi (Piptoporus betulinus) stung on a cord around his neck – was believe that it was for the treatment of the parasites the autopsy found in his intestines.
Ayurveda From India - 700 B.C. the Charaki Samhita in India documented the uses of more than 300 medicinal plants. Ayurveda medicime is still used to this day and has gained more popularity in the United States as consumers become disenchanted with prescription drugs and their side effects Dhanwantari, is recognized as the Lord diety of Ayurveda (science of life) in the Indian system of medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Around 100 A.D., "The Divine Husbandman's Classic" defined the uses of more than 250 medicinal herbs in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each remedy is individually created for the patient. Some herbs are used to negate the side effects of the main herb and it takes a lot of time, skill and experience to develop this ability. Acupuncturists practice TCM nowadays and treat patients with bulk herbs, capsules and teas.
Tribal herbal medicine
Middle ages/Folklore
Slide 5 : Modern Medical Uses
Some modern medical drugs orginally were from Herbs:
Penicillin – orginally from Bread mold
Asprin - Willow bark
Digitalis - foxglove - The story goes that William Withering (1741-1799) became aware of people self-medicating the “dropsy” (body swelling from what we now call congestive heart failure) with this plant; he then searched for the “active” ingredient and found it in digitalis.
Quinine - was the first effective treatment for malaria . The bark of the cinchona tree is used to make quinine. The medicinal properties of the cinchona tree were originally discovered by the Quechua Indians of Peru and Bolivia; later, the Jesuits were the first to bring the cinchona to Europe. It remained the antimalarial drug of choice until the 1940s, when other drugs replaced it.
Morphine - from the seeds of poppy flowers
This is just 5 examples.
Slide 6 : Aromatherapy
Guest Speaker
Judi Snelson
Slide 7 : Homework reseach
Reseach on the web a herb that has documented modern uses.. That science prove effective
Slide 8 : Scented Stones
1/2 cup flour (do not use self-rising flour)
1/4 cup salt
1/2 tablespoon alum
1 tablespoon essential oil or fragrance oil
2/3 cup boiling water and food coloring (optional).
In a glass or ceramic bowl, thoroughly mix dry ingredients. Add essential oil and boiling water.
For colored dough, blend in food coloring one drop at a time until desired shade is achieved. Blend ingredients to form a ball. Working with a small amount at a time, roll dough between palms of hands to form small balls.
Note: Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when pastilles dry.
Note - cover unused dough to keep it from drying out. Allow pastilles to dry.
Slide 9 : Links and Sources
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/issueguides/herbs/history.html
http://www.herbpalace.com/alternative-medicine/herbal-medicine.html