Show 5: Fr. Sebastian Kneipp's Herbal and Water Therapy

https://soundcloud.com/user-727656296/show-5-fr-sebastian-kneipps-herbal-and-water-therapy

 In 1890, Fr. Kneipp wrote an internationally best selling book on herbal medicine and the therapeutic value of water. In 1990, I met a 75 year old man who practiced Kneipp's methods and who had had only one cold in his entire life!

PS. A listener tells me that Fr. Kneipp's name is properly pronounced "Knaip, and he wasn't born in the Czech republic, but in Stephansried, Germany"... so, thanks to that listener. I don't speak German and the book I have states that the town in which he was born was part of the Czech Republic at that time. So hey, I have some smart listeners, which is cool!

Asparagus

 Has soluble fiber that is good for restoring normal colon function. Fresh stalks or root or seed tincture is good for leaky gut, lower GI deficiency with congestion and poor processing of short chain fatty acids. Good for irritable bowel and ulcerative colitis. Primary treatment for acidic (burning) urine. Soothes mucosa of urinary tract. Fresh asparagus tips is "probably the best thing you can give to a person with long standing lower GI deficiency and congestion/inflammation". Dried root is better as diuretic - works best for "anabolic grease ball."

I prefer it quickly sautéed in butter and olive oil with fresh herbs, garlic, white wine and lemon. I can't think of any herb that doesn't work wonderfully with asparagus. Save all the tough ends, peel them and add to chicken broth - especially makes an excellent cream soup! If you have a lot, you can mix with some chopped onions, parsley and thyme and stuff a chicken with it for roasting... but, actually it is better to spatchcock the chicken and roast it on a bed of asparagus, etc. A little lemon zest is very nice with that. Asparagus also pairs well with mild fish and mushrooms... so, trout is a must! Wrap the trout in bacon and pan fry. Cook asparagus, mushrooms and onions in the bacon fat. Deglaze with white wine. A little butter or cream and lemon makes it perfect! Chardonnay actually may have some asparagus or grassy flavor... but I prefer sauvignon blanc. If you prefer red, either a light pinot noir or a really bold deep red zinfandel work well. Some love asparagus with merlot, but that is always a second choice for me. I've never found a beer that didn't go well with asparagus. Asparagus is also good with cheese... and just fantastic pickled. Its really good with most any pan fish or even a big, fat salmon or flounder... works great with red meat or pork.... great in casseroles.... and crazy good with just picked corn. I could eat it every day - the fresher the better, always! Oh, and you can use really fresh stalks in two neat ways.... poke holes through some tender lamb and skewer it with asparagus, grill and serve with a mustard sauce..... or, may favorite appetizer, "rumaki" - skewer chicken livers and water chestnuts on asparagus spears, wrap in bacon, marinate in soy sauce, garlic and hot peppers overnight, then fry up or grill. That is a great way to convert folks to liver... really amazing flavor. But, of course, it won't stay a stiff skewer when cooked, so you have to eat with a fork. Great in omelets, too.. especially with crab meat or crawfish tails.

And, of course, it reminds e of the great Euell Gibbons book that was a constant companion in my early foraging, "Stalking The Wild Asparagus". I've actually only found a few wild asparagus stands.... mighty tasty though! Euell Gibbons - Wikipedia

Artimisia

 Artimisia Filfolia, sand sage

Good for digestion, reduces secretions

Artimesia ludovic, white sage brush, eastern mugwort or wormwood

This one is a Wormwood. Good for breaking sweat, bringing up phlegm and for respiratory stuff - this is the one used for Spanish Flu

Artimisia tridentata, sage brush

Strong anti-fungal and anti-microbial

Arctostaphylos, Uva Ursi

 Dried leaf made into tea is good in baths for any irritations/inflammation of anal or reproductive organs.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI Cystorrhea. Acute or chronic cystitis/urethritis with relaxed, inflamed urethral opening and mucus discharge. Chronic acidic dysuria with mucopurulent, scanty urine. Renal glycosuria. Lithiasis, acidic, muddy, or with "brick dust" (with Buchu). Subacute nephritis, mild, with moderate hematuria. Acute pyelitis from ascending cystitis with boggy mucosa. Strangury, in general. Ureteralgia. Subacute/chronic prostatitis, with mucopurulent and acidic urine. Acute vaginitis (sitz bath). Post-partum hemorrhage, with tearing or episiotomy (as a sitz bath).

Arbutus, Madrone tree

 Leaves can be used similarly to manzanita or uva ursi. Astringent, disinfectant. Good for UTI/bladder infection.

Ambrosia artimistiafolia, ragweed

 Smells like wormwood, but tastes worse.

Ambrosia deltoidia

Both used for gastric problems

Ambrosia trifida, good for liver

All are good for digestion and liver. Some are good for menstrual issues. May be good for asthma, too.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

AMBROSIA Otitis media from allergies, rhinitis. Epistaxis. Acute allergic rhinitis. Acute sinusitis with runny eyes, nose. Septic diarrhea. In children, eye and nose pain, sharp itching pain, hay fever. Hay fever with watery eyes, nasal membranes. 

Amphora Canescens, lead plant

 Anti-viral.

Amphora fruiticosa

Also anti-viral

Aloysia

 Good for stomach cramps and stomach inflammation and used to reduce pain in stomach cancer. Good for irritable bowel.

Alchemilla, Lady's Mantle

 "Yet Another Rose Family Astringent".

Agropyron, Couch Grass, quack grass

 Dried root or lower stalk is good as tea or fluid extract for sodium retention due to aldosterone excess. Diuretic. Reduces sodium and fluid.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

AGROPYRON REPENS Chronic renal weakness with inflammation. Cystorrhea, acute with urethral discharge. Cystitis, urethritis, for pain. Cystitis, urethritis, with mucus in urine, backache, cramps; or with pain from gravel and alkaline, phosphatic urine. Acute dysuria with pain in back, difficult urination. Deep seated kidney pain accompanying primary treatment for nephritis. Hematuria with pain on urination. Ureteralgia. Sacral and lower lumbar pain with urethral mucus discharge. Phosphaturia with pain in kidneys. Chronic pyelitis, with colic. Acute prostatitis, with irritable bladder, dribbling. Subacute prostatitis, enlarged, without inflammation.

Ailanthus, Tree of heaven

 Good for diarrhea and dysentery.

Agrimonia, Agrimony

 Use as tea from dried herb. Rose family astringent - interchangeable with all rose family astringents. Cooling astringent.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

AGRIMONIA Cystorrhea, in general, or chronic smelly. Acute cystitis/urethritis with cloudy, smelly urine. Incontinence, general; or from chronic nephritis or acute lower urinary tract infections. Lithiasis, with irritation, inflammatory pain. Pain in lumbar region, flanks to navel.

Agastache, giant hyssop

 Anti-inflammatory. Good for allergic inflammation and other non-specific inflammation. Mild antioxidant. Good for liver. Can be used with or interchangeably for stachys (hedge nettle and such). Good anti-inflammatory tonic for chronic inflammatory/auto-immune conditions. Can be used simply dried and made into tea - no need to tincture. Self Heal can be used the same way, but fresh.

Achillea, yarrow

 Hot teas is diaphoretic. Cold teas is bitter tonic. Applied to cuts or bruises stops bleeding/homeostatic. Good liver tonic - cools/shrinks liver. Good for excessive menstrual bleeding. But, hot tea can stimulate menses. Root is good for tooth ache - pickle in brandy and use for tooth pain. Anti-inflammatory, mild antioxidant. Hot tea will make you hot and sweaty.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM Epistaxis. General hemorrhage (fresh plant). Hematuria with pain on urination. Muscular pain, as a poultice or fomentation. Varicosities during pregnancy (fresh plant poultice).

Achlys, vanilla leaf

 Topically good for protein leakage edema. Tightens capillaries. Good for interstitial cystitis.

Abies, Fir

 Astringent . Topically, good for wounds. Stops bleeding and prevents infection. Needles and inner bark used. Bark is astringent and stimulant. Tightens tissue and stimulates blood flow. This allows blood to carry the congestion/inflammation out. Increases arterial blood to tissues, so they can heal. Also diuretic.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

ABIES Chronic pharyngitis with thick tenacious mucus. Chronic bronchitis with profuse secretions. Heartburn with vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain. Prolapse of rectal mucosa. Asthenia with poor digestion, vascular weakness, pale mucosa.

Acacia greggii. Cat claw acacia (Senegalia greggii)

 Demulcent astringent. Shrinks and soothes tissue.

Show 4: Medicinal (and Tasty!) Herbs and Spices For Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving Special: Info about kitchen herbs and spices to make your meal taste better and to support your health.

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Thanksgiving Special: Info about kitchen herbs and spices to make your meal taste better and to support your health.  Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Materia Medica Lesson 10-13: Vitex, Agnus Castus

 Vitex effects menses... but not the same for every woman and not predictably.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS 

Palpitations in menopause or puberty from corticosteroid imbalances. Progesterone or prolactin deficiency. Dysmenorrhea, with depressions and lengthy history of PMS; or with progesterone deficiency. Menopause, basic initial treatment, if Angelica sinensis worsens symptoms. Menorrhagia, as a general preventative. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), secondary approach. Lactation, poor quality and quantity

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS (Chaste Tree Berries, Monk Peppers) SEEDS. Tincture [1:5, 65% alcohol] 30-60 drops. Ground Berries, 1/2 to 1 tspn. in tea, both once in the morning. As it strengthens the progesterone phase of the estrus cycle, it usually works best the two weeks before menses. STATUS : W/LA/C

FEMALE BALANCER

Vitex agnus-castus Tinct ....... ...........3 parts

Black Cohosh Tinct ............... ...........2 parts

Dandelion FE. ....................... ...........2 parts

Motherwort Tinct................... ...........2 parts

Oregon Grape Root Tinct ...... ...........1 part

Mix with fluidextract and tinctures. Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day This helps to regulate chronically short estrus cycles, with aggravated anabolic metabolism.

MENOPAUSE: EARLY FORMULA

Vitex agnus-castus Tinct ....... ...........3 parts

Yellow Dock Tinct ................ ...........2 parts

Sarsaparilla Tinct................... ...........2 parts

Peony Tinct.... ....................... ...........2 parts

Nuphar Tinc... ...................... ...........1 part

American Ginseng Tinct........ ...........1 part

Mix using tinctures, since some are best fresh, some best dry Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day For women in earlier stages of menopause when erratic cycles and flooding result from increasingly disorganized corpus luteal progesterone production.

PMS FORMULA, LONG CYCLE

Vitex .............. .......................3 parts

Devil's Club ... .......................2 parts

Black Cohosh. .......................2 parts

Oregon Grape Root................2 parts

Peony ............. .......................2 parts

Inmortal ......... .......................2 parts

Anemone (Pulsatilla).............1 part

Mix as tinctures, since the Anemone MUST be made fresh, the Peony is BETTER fresh, the rest can or should be made dry. Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day For symptoms that start just before menses, deriving from weak progesterone levels with a premature rise in estrogen before menstruation; the cycle is generally longer than 28 days. Problems include rapid-onset water-retention, headaches, joint pain, and labile emotions.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-11: Viburnum

 Viburnum is useful in stopping cramping - antispasmodic.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

VIBURNUM OPULUS Dysmenorrhea, in general; or with clonic spasms with intestinal cramps referred to thighs and sacral dermatomes. Leukorrhea, supportive to poor muscle tone and cramps. Menorrhagia, as a general treatment. Mittelschmerz, in general. Uterus, colic. Uterus, inflammation. Labor, false or Braxton-Hicks pains. Miscarriage, impending, with cramps as main symptom. Primipara, with history of first or second trimester miscarriage. 

VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM Obstinate hiccoughs. Dysmenorrhea, in general; or non-colicky lumbar and pelvic pain and scanty flow. Leukorrhea, supportive to poor muscle tone and cramps. Menorrhagia, as a general treatment. Mittelschmerz, in general. Uterus, colic. Uterus, inflammation. Labor, false or Braxton-Hicks pains. Miscarriage, impending, with cramps as main symptom. Primipara, with history of first or second trimester miscarriage.

VIBURNUM (V. opulus, V. prunifolium, Cramp Bark, Black Haw) ROOTBARK and BARK. Cold Infusion or Strong Decoction, 3-4 ounces to 4X a day. Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-90 drops to 4X a day. STATUS : W/LA

HAYDEN'S VIBURNUM COMPOUND(Modified)

Black Haw (V. prunifolium).. ...........1.5 ounces

Cramp Bark (V. opulus) ........ ...........1.0 ounce

Trillium (dried)...................... ...........1.0 ounce (OR Cotton Root Bark........ ...........(1.0 ounce)

Dioscorea (Wild Yam)........... ...........1/2 ounce

Skullcap (recently dried) ....... ...........1/4 ounce

Cloves............ ....................... ...........1.0 ounce

Cinnamon Bark...................... ...........3/4 ounce

Orange Peel.... ....................... ...........1/2 ounce

Grind herbs together, moisten with a few tablespoons of alcohol, and let sit, covered, overnight. Tincture with 50% alcohol menstruum to a 1:4 tincture (about 26 ounces). Add 6.5 ounces (by volume) of Simple Syrup to bring the final strength to 1:5. You MAY substitute equal parts of glycerin and honey for the syrup, but it tasts wierd. Take 1-3 teaspoons in HOT water for Killer Kramps, particularly of it is a problem that only happens every few months, or occurs only the first night of menstruation. Regular monthly dysmennorhea from organic causes, rarely responds very well to H.V.C. This is the Queen of Cramp Remedies

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-12: Viburnum and HVC-2

 Just a continuation as we wait for the percolation to drip.

Materia Medica Lesson 10-10: Veronicastrum, (Leptandra) hiatus hernia, billirubin

 Good for portal hypertension, viral hepatitis, liver diseases from alcohol or solvents. Better used in formulas than by itself. Liver stimulant. Good for hiatal hernia and billirubin.

LEPTANDRA (Veronicastrum, Culver's Root) ROOT. Tincture [1:5, 65% alcohol], 10-30 drops,to 3X a day. An herb better used in formulas than by itself. USE WITH CARE. STATUS : W/Rare

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

LEPTANDRA 

Tongue white-coated, light feces. Dizziness, depression, frontal headache, tenderness, pain in rt. hypochondrium. Acute cholangitis. Cholecystalgia; pain in right hypochondrium to right shoulder, without any major abdominal pain. Cholelithiasis preventative. Hepatitis; hot skin, cold feet, abdominal congestion, white-coated tongue, bad taste and breath, pain in right hypochondrium with pain referred to right or left shoulder. Jaundice with pale dry skin, thick coated tongue, moderate hepatic pain. Dyspepsia, aggravated by fats and proteins. Headache, in digestive dysfunction, following meals.

LIVER TONIC

Barberry or Oregon Grape..... ...........2 parts

Milk Thistle Seed................... ...........2 parts

Chaparral (Larrea) ................. ...........1 part

Toadflax (Linaria).................. ...........1 part

Echinacea....... ....................... ...........1 part

Burdock Rt or Seed................ ...........1 part

Yellow Dock.. ....................... ...........1 part

Leptandra or Blue Flag Rt ..... ...........1 part

An old-fashioned "shotgun" formula. Grind well and encapsulate. Echinacea is the only one of these herb that deteriorates in a powdered form, so the best compromise would be to keep it as a rather coarse grind, the rest as fine a powder as desired. Useful for passive liver "heaviness", with periodic light stools and/or frontal headaches brought on by overeating or eating rich foods when tired. Look for greasy hair, acne on the cheeks (both kinds of cheeks) and acne around the mouth. It should be tried for those that regularly work with solvents or that drink regularly, whether in moderation or excess. In general, for those that eat before going to bet and are slow in waking, grouchy and sluggish in the morning...they also have to cut back on the snacks. DOSE: Pronounced liver dysfunction, but w/out pathology: 2 caps, 3X a day. No overt symtoms, but having many of the risks mentioned: 1 cap, 3X a day.

ROBERT'S BILIARY FORMULA

Chionanthus (Fringetree)....... ...........1 part

Euonymus (Wahoo)............... ...........1 part

Piper methysticum (Kava)..... ...........1 part

Leptandra (Culver's Root) ..... ...........1 part

Marshmallow Root .................... ............ 1 part

Powder the herbs and encapsulate. 1 capsule after each meal and one just before sleeping. A biliary laxative and gallstone preventative, it is also useful for cholecystalgia or biliary cholic. Larger doses can be irritating; it is better to use the smaller dosages recommended, allowing a day or two to see if they help.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-9: Turnera, Damiana

 Damiana is a mood elevator. Relaxes you in the evening, gives you some energy in the morning. For some it is sexually stimulating.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

TURNERA (DAMIANA) 

Impotence/frigidity, from constant anxiety and depression regarding sexuality with fear of no arousal, lubrication or erection; or with physical response but with intellectual devolvement. Menarche delay (primary amenorrhea), in general. 

TURNERA DIFFUSA (Damiana) Materia Medica Lesson 10 - page 6 FLOWERING HERB. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2] 20-30 drops. Standard Infusion 2-4 ounces. Dry Plant Tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-60 drops, all to 3X a day. STATUS : W/LA

NERVE TONIC

Valerian ......... ....................... ...........4 parts

Verbena.......... ....................... ...........4 parts

Skullcap ......... ....................... ...........4 parts

Passion Flower....................... ...........4 parts

European Mistletoe................ ...........2 parts

Damiana......... ....................... ...........2 parts

Siberian Ginseng.................... ...........2 parts

Cordydalis...... ....................... ...........1 part

3-6 “00” capsules as needed. Lower doses help anxieties, larger doses act as an overt sedative. (Can be tinctured, 50% alcohol) VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS (Chaste Tree 

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-8: Tribulus Terrestris, Puncture Vine

 Lowers elevated cholesterol and high density lipids. Increases anabolic energy and may help with erectile dysfunction.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

 Lipid lowering in arteriosclerosis. Essential hypertension. Adrenal cortex hyperfunctions from stress, with elevated lipids, uric acid, blood sugars with stomach hypersecretions. Dysuria with partial impotence. Gout, for the hyperuricemia. Impotence/frigidity, with dysuria. Thick, frontal headaches after meals. Blood serum levels: cholesterol elevations. Blood serum levels: hyperlipidemia, in general. Blood serum levels: LDL, VLDL elevated. 

TRIBULUS (Puncture Vine, Goat's Head) HERB and SEEDS. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the powdered plant in tea, to 2X a day. Tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-40 drops, 2X a day. STATUS : W/A

LIVER EXCESS TINCTURE

Burdock Root FE................... ...........2 parts

Dandelion Root FE................ ...........2 parts

Milk Thistle Seeds................. ...........2 parts

Larrea............. ....................... ...........1 part

Tribulus (Puncture Vine)....... ...........1 part

Mix from Burdock and Dandelion Fluidextracts (1:1 strength) strong Milk Thistle Seed Tincture (1:2, 75% alcohol), dry Larrea and Tribulus tinctures (1:5) Use 30-60 drops to 3X a day, and decrease protein and fat consumption by at least one third. A constitutional tonic for those with anabolic excess.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-7: Siiybum marianum, Milk Thistle

 Milk Thistle is good for some liver conditions... MM goes on way too long about Hep-C.... like most of the class. Add, the bottom line is that it may help, especially if you take it regularly before you have liver damage if you have Hep-C. The best way is to grind fresh seeds and mix them into something to mask the flavor, or use standardize extract. Large doses help with mushroom poisoning. Liver protectant. Protects against many toxicities, including heavy drinking and tylenol. Is not a liver stimulant, just a liver protective. Works especially well combined with chirata.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

SILYBUM MARIANUM 

Cirrhosis - alcoholic; Laennec's. Hepatitis - general strengthening. Thin, subanemic blood. Blood serum levels: bilirubinemia without active hepatitis. Blood serum levels: SGOT, SGPT elevations, elevated bilirubin, no active hepatitis. 

SILYBUM MARIANUM (Milk Thistle) SEEDS. Capsules, #00, 2 at a time, to 3X a day. Fluidextract [1:1, 60% alcohol], 20-40 drops to 5X a day. Strong Tincture [1:3, 70% alcohol], 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, to 4X a day. STATUS : W/C

DETOX FORMULA

Oregon Grape Root................ ...........3 parts

Silybum Fluidextract ............. ...........2 parts

Larrea............. ....................... ...........2 parts

Yellow Dock.. ....................... ...........2 parts

Aristolochia watsonii............. ...........1 part

Mix from the fluidextract and tinctures. Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 3 or4 times a day. This is meant to assist cleansing of the blood, liver and lymph system when recovering from alcohol, drug abuse, even long-term overmedication.

LIVER TONIC

Barberry or Oregon Grape..... ...........2 parts

Milk Thistle Seed................... ...........2 parts

Chaparral (Larrea) ................. ...........1 part

Toadflax (Linaria).................. ...........1 part

Echinacea....... ....................... ...........1 part

Burdock Rt or Seed................ ...........1 part

Yellow Dock.. ....................... ...........1 part

Leptandra or Blue Flag Rt ..... ...........1 part

An old-fashioned "shotgun" formula. Grind well and encapsulate. Echinacea is the only one of these herb that deteriorates in a powdered form, so the best compromise would be to keep it as a rather coarse grind, the rest as fine a powder as desired. Materia Medica Lesson 10 - page 4 Useful for passive liver "heaviness", with periodic light stools and/or frontal headaches brought on by overeating or eating rich foods when tired. Look for greasy hair, acne on the cheeks (both kinds of cheeks) and acne around the mouth. It should be tried for those that regularly work with solvents or that drink regularly, whether in moderation or excess. In general, for those that regularly eat before going to bet and are slow in waking, grouchy and sluggish in the morning...they also have to cut back on the snacks. DOSE: Pronounced liver dysfunction, but w/out pathology: 2 caps, 3X a day. No overt symtoms, but having many of the risks mentioned: 1 cap, 3X a day.

LIVER EXCESS TINCTURE

Burdock Root FE...................2 parts

Dandelion Root FE................2 parts

Milk Thistle Seeds.................2 parts

Larrea............. .......................1 part

Tribulus (Puncture Vine).......1 part

Mix from Burdock and Dandelion Fluidextracts (1:1 strength) strong Milk Thistle Seed Tincture (1:2, 75% alcohol), dry Larrea and Tribulus tinctures (1:5) Use 30-60 drops to 3X a day, and decrease protein and fat consumption by at least one third. A constitutional tonic for those with anabolic excess.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

Materia Medica Lesson 10-6: Smilax, Sarsaparilla

 Good long term tonic for people who are catabolic dominant and a little deficient. Has a weaker but broader effect than ginseng. Best as part of formula. May have some steroidal effects and be good for libido.... may just be folk lore. Subtle stimulus to anabolic energy. Good for dry gut and dry lungs. Not quite strong enough to be considered adaptogen, but subtly strengthening.

MM says that all smilax can be used interchangeably! So, the green briers I've been fighting for years can be used as sarsaparilla!

SMILAX (Sarsaparilla) ROOT and RHIZOME. Cold Infusion or Strong Decoction, 1-4 ounces, to 3X a day. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90 drops to 3X a day. STATUS : W/A

ALTERATIVE SYRUP

Aralia Root .... .......................3

ounces Oplopanax...... .......................2 ounces

Xanthoxylum Bark ................2 ounces

Smilax (Sarsaparilla) .............2 ounces

Burdock Root. .......................2 ounces

Guaiacum or Stillingia...........1 ounce

Sassafras or Sweet Root ........1 ounce

Pipsissewa...... .......................1 ounce

Blue Flag Root.......................1 ounce

Tincture 1:3 with 65% alcohol, add 1 part water (15 oz.) & 1 part simple syrup or honey (15 oz.) to bring to a final 1:5 strength

MENOPAUSE: EARLY FORMULA

Vitex agnus-castus Tinct .......3 parts

Yellow Dock Tinct ................2 parts

Sarsaparilla Tinct...................2 parts

Peony Tinct.... .......................2 parts

Nuphar Tinc... ......................1 part

American Ginseng Tinct........1 part

Mix using tinctures, since some are best fresh, some best dry Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day For women in earlier stages of menopause when erratic cycles and flooding result from increasingly disorganized corpus luteal progesterone production.

ALTERATIVE TEA

Sassafrass Bark...................... ...........2 parts

Sarsaparilla Root.................... ...........2 parts

Burdock Root. ....................... ...........1 part

Echinacea Root...................... ...........1 part

A simple drinkable tea for low-level chronic liver, metabolic and immuno-depressed states...a couple of cups a day, made from a rounded teaspoon in 8 oz. water, brought to a boil and removed from the heat and allowed to cool.

ROOT TEA

Sassafras ........ ....................... ...........2 parts

Sarsaparilla .... ....................... ...........2 parts

Licorice Root . ....................... ...........2 parts

(Chinese Cinnamon).............. ...........1 part

(Sweet Root).. ....................... ...........1 part

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/