• Secure online ordering
• Easy shopping cart system
• Top quality essential oils
• Few of Abby's favorite potpourris
• Seed packets
• Oh yes, and a whole new design

By next Monday, we will have our complete line of bulk herbs (more than 250!) listed and ready for purchase on the website. And more new products on the way. As always, if you have a custom need or request, or have any questions or problem with the website, please don't hesitate to let us know! Thanks. -Cathe

PLANNED YOUR HERB GARDEN YET?

I just wanted to say one more thing about herb gardening before getting onto this week's topic. You CAN grow herbs! Even if you have to kill dozens of herb plants along the way, the day will come when one of them will love you, and live happily ever after with you. Ahhh sweet bliss!

HERBAL SAFETY

My sister, recently gave me some clippings of a mini-series written by syndicated medical advisor, Dr. Peter Gott. In this series, he addressed concerns about herbs and their possible harmful effects. No doubt, the rise in popularity of herbal remedies was the catalyst.

Dr. Gott opened the series with a letter from a reader saying, "With all the hype about herbal remedies, consumers like me have a difficult time separating fact from fiction." The first thing that peeked my attention was the word "hype." I totally agree with that reader. There has been a lot of hype about herbal remedies lately.

"MIKIE WILL EAT ANYTHING"

Granted, some people are gullible and they fall for even the most ridiculous "hype." Then the 'hypor' takes advantage of the 'hypee.' Sad to say ... these are the facts. I've found myself in that position before and I'm sure you have too.

Mikie's mom can supervise him as a child, but as Mikie grows up, hopefully he becomes responsible. That's the keyword here. Responsible!

WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T

You see this at the close of each of our newsletters. It is our motto and you might want to make it yours. Last week Cathe and I were talking about herbs for her spring garden. She decided to stick with the ones about which she had some knowledge. That is the wise way to approach herbs. In my opinion, that's the wise way to approach anything. Basically, what we are talking about here is education. Let me use another clip from Dr. Gott's articles to stress my point.

OD'd ON PENNYROYAL

Pennyroyal is efficacious to provoke menstruation and labor, therefore it must be avoided during pregnancy or abortion may result. In one of Dr. Gott's articles, he mentions a case involving a San Francisco woman who died as a result of a massive overdose of pennyroyal (I assume in an attempt to abort her child). We would all agree that this is a terrible tragedy. Dr. Gott concludes, "This drug (pennyroyal) is dangerous and should not be used for any purpose."

With all due respect, I must disagree. If this distressed woman was attempting to self induce abortion, she may have chosen any number of ways to do it. Permit me to be flippant for a moment. If she had used a coat hanger, should we conclude that coat hangers are dangerous and that they should not be used for any purpose. Sorry about that ... but hopefully you get my gist.

Numerous prescription drugs have been cited in overdose deaths. Should we make the same statement about these prescription drugs? Should we say they are dangerous and that they should not be used for any purpose? No! The benefits of a prescription drug are not to be ignored simply because of an unfortunate incident. Quoting my mother, "We don't throw the baby out with the bath water!"

BACK TO THE KEYWORD

Who is responsible for our well-being? Are we to put control our own well-being into the hands of someone else? If so, to whom do we give that control?

The days of oblivion are past. We no longer just accept what the doctor says without question. We want some control of our own well-being and rightfully so. The fact that you made the effort to search out our web site and subscribe to this newsletter tells me that you are seeking to further educate yourself concerning your well-being. Kudos to you! You know who is responsible. You are! I have confidence in your decision making capabilities. Don't you wish everybody did?

PENNYROYAL'S DEFENSE

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium - Labiatae) is a member of the mint family. Similar to peppermint, pennyroyal is a good digestive tonic. It increases the secretion of digestive juices, relieves flatulence and colic, and occasionally is used as a treatment for intestinal worms. It makes a good remedy for headaches and for minor respiratory infections, helping to check fever and congestion. Pennyroyal powerfully stimulates the uterine muscles and encourages menstruation. An infusion of pennyroyal is used externally for the treatment of itchiness and formication (a sensation of ants crawling over the body), inflamed skin disorders such as eczema, and rheumatic conditions including gout. Pennyroyal is also an effective bug repellent.

We are cautioned that the essential oil is highly toxic and not to take pennyroyal during pregnancy or if menstrual bleeding is heavy. (Reference: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Andrew Chevallier)

SPEAKING OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. They are made by steam distillation of fresh herbs resulting in an oil containing extremely powerful constituents of the herb from which it was extracted. I suggest that you "know your stuff" before using any of them.

EO SAFETY TIPS

• Choose high quality pure essential oils. Synthetic (or fragrance) oils are not suitable for medicinal or aromatherapy uses.
• Be informed about their benefits and their potential harmful effects before using them. Some increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight and some can cause irritation on contact. (see Skin Burn from Essential Oil)
• Use them diluted in a good quality carrier oil unless otherwise instructed by reputable sources.
• Keep them out of the reach of children. Obviously, this tip holds true for herbs, medications, household cleansers, and anything that could be harmful to children.
• Consider others when using essential oils. Those prone to allergies may be affected by the scent of EOs or perfumes for that matter. As with any new substance, do a patch test before using them.
• Keep them away from the eye area, genitals, and mucous membranes. Wash your hands before and after handling pure EOs.
• During pregnancy, take extra precautions or avoid EOs completely unless otherwise instructed by a reputable source.
• Do not use them internally unless under the supervision of a trained professional.

GUARD AGAINST THE HYPE

Let's face it, they want our money! For a novice, the best approach to herbalism is simple. I really mean simple. A "simple" is one herb in use at a time. The blending (synergism) can come later.

There are some fantastic products on the market today. In no way am I putting them down, but as Dr. Gott's reader said, there is also a lot of herbal hype in the market today. Personally, I ignore all of it. There's no better way of being in control of your well-being than the hands-on method.

Ideally, if we have our hands on the herb from the growing process all the way through the use of it, we'll know exactly what we've got. The next best thing to growing our own is to use herbs in as whole a form as we can get, from reliable sources. And, the next best thing is to know who we're dealing with. It's just like any other purchase we make. We are the responsible party.

Our goal is to bring collective knowledge together to provide accurate herbal information, giving references whenever possible, for the purpose of being informed when choosing self-help and alternative approaches to health and lifestyle. At no time should this publication be considered prescription or treatment, nor should any information published herein be misinterpreted as such. The publishers can not be held responsible for the mishandling of information by its readers.

Please do not take herbal information lightly.
Remember our motto is ... When in doubt, don't!
Until next Monday I remain,

Herbally yours, Abby

Lynda "Abby" Trahan
Abby's Herb Company
P.O. Box 213
Round Top, TX 78954

lynda@abbysherbshop.com
www.abbysherbshop.com

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