Can a nursing mom do an elimination diet?

Danielle, a new, nursing mom asks how to go about eliminating foods from her diet to determine what is causing constipation. She also says that she is feeling run down and asks what can help her build energy. Hi Danielle. First, congratulations on the newest member of your family! Determining food sensitivities by eliminating foods is usually done with an elimination diet. This involves removing all potential trigger foods from your diet for a period of four weeks, then reintroducing one food every three days while keeping a record of how you feel. Foods and ingredients usually removed during an elimination diet include dairy, gluten, legumes, sugar, all processed foods and food additives. Sometimes soy and nightshades like tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and all grains are also removed. You’ll find a detailed description of how to do an elimination diet by naturopathic physician Dr. Bryan Walsh. Since you’re breastfeeding, your calorie needs and many nutrient needs are increased, so if you decide to try an elimination, diet I encourage you to do it under the guidance of a nutrition professional. Another option is to keep a food diary for three or four weeks. Record everything you eat, when you eat it, and your symptoms. If a pattern emerges and you suspect a particular food, remove that food from your diet for four weeks and then reintroduce it as described above. Food sensitivities can cause constipation, but there are other common causes and it would be well worth it to examine these. They include: Too little water Breastfeeding moms need more water. The USDA Adequate Intake (AI) recommendation for water in lactating women is 3.8 liters per day compared to 2.7 liters per day[1] for non-pregnant, nonlactating women. To little fiber This is a common problem for a lot of people, lactating or not, and like other nutrients recommendations for fiber intake are increased for lactating women – 29 grams/day compared to 25 for non-lactating women. Medications Several types of prescription and over the counter medications can cause constipation, so if you taking any medications check the side effects and discuss with your physician. Supplements Iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal upset, including constipation, so if you’re taking an iron supplement you may want to consider talking with your physician about switching to a ferrous bisglycinate form, which is often better tolerated than other forms. Liver support Some gentle liver support may be beneficial. Milk thistle is gentle, safe, and has the added benefit of supporting lactation. Milk thistle can be taken in capsule form, you should be able to find a good supplement at your natural health shop, or organic grocer. You could also sprinkle a teaspoon of the ground seeds on your food twice a day, they have a mild, neutral flavor and go well with a variety of foods. Being a new mom sure can be exhausting! Between the energy demands of producing milk, recovering from pregnancy and birth, and caring for an infant some level of fatigue goes with the territory. Remember to keep in mind your increased caloric and nutritional requirements and eat plenty of nutrient dense foods – lot’s fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, and high – quality meats and fish. It’s unclear if you’re still at the stage where sleep deprivation is an issue, if you are a certain level of fatigue is expected. However, if you’re regularly getting 7-9 hours of sleep and you’re still feeling exhausted you may want to see your physician and discuss having your thyroid function evaluated. Women are more vulnerable to thyroid disorders postpartum and the condition is sometimes missed because exhaustion is a common feature of this life stage. To learn more about postpartum thyroid disorders read this article by midwife, herbalist and physician Aviva Romm. A daily serving of the following nutritive herbal blend will support you in recovering your energy. · ½ cup nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) · ¼ cup alfalfa (Medicago sativa) · ¼ cup raspberry leaf (rubus Ideaus) · 1 tablespoon rose hips (rosa canina) To prepare put the following herbs into a 1 quart mason jar or French press. Infuse covered, overnight (you can put it in the fridge once it’s cool enough) in 4 cups just boiled water. Strain and enjoy this highly nourishing tea throughout the day. I like to keep a bulk supply these herbs around to prepare nourishing infusions each day. About the herbs Nettles contain iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, boron, strontium as well as B vitamins, vitamins A, C, K, and beta carotene. Nettle also have anti-inflammatory activity and are commonly used to help restore vitality over time. Alfalfa – vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron. Alfalfa also supports the production of breast milk. Raspberry leaf – B vitamins, vitamin C and several minerals, including potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and iron. And Raspberry leaf is a favorite uterine tonic and will help restore tone to the uterus. Rose hips contain vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium Hope this helps Danielle. Many Blessings to you and your family. Renata is a clinical herbalist with a private practice in Greenbelt, MD. She helps women build a solid foundation of wellness while working together to address their unique health concerns so they can live life with vibrance and vitality. She has a BS in Chemistry from University of Maryland, a MS in Therapeutic Herbalism, and a Post Masters Certificate in Clinical Herbalism from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Find her online at renalynn.com and on Facebook @renatalynnclinicalherbalist [1] This value includes water in foods and in other beverages.

Proper dosing of tinctures for children

I purchased a bottle of saffron extract to try for my son, and the liquid tincture contains 970 mg per 1 ml, but is equivalent to 330 mg dry herb per ml. Extraction rate is 1/3. If I wanted to give my son the clinically tested dose of 20-30 mg for a child, would I use the liquid measurement or the dry herb measurement? Hello and thank you for your question! Herbal extracts are produced by placing an herb (dry or fresh) in a ratio to extracting liquid (aka menstruum). From the information you gave and from my understanding, the extract was produced with enough herb to yield a resulting ratio of 1:3 (approximately 330 mg/ml). In order to do this, because the dried herb will be removed, manufacturers of herbal products will quantify how much of the dried herb will need to be used to yield the desired ratio of 1:3. In the case of this product, they used 970 mg of herb and added it to (macerated it in) the menstruum. After removing the herb from the menstruum, the resulting extract was found to be 330 mg/ml. To figure out how much to give, I divided the dose you need (20-30mg) by the dry herb amount (330mg). There are 20 drops in one ml and therefore the resulting dose would be a little over one drop of extract (1.2-1.8 drops to be exact). Since it isn’t possible to give less than one drop, I would recommend sticking to one drop per dose unless you have a way to measure volumes less than a milliliter. Hope this helps! Amani Amani is a licensed pharmacist who also holds a Masters Degree in herbal medicine. She currently resides in Dallas, TX where she’s a student at an Islamic seminary. When she’s not in class, she enjoys writing (combining her love of writing and herbs as a blogger on ATH), planting/gardening with friends, and learning all sorts of new things through reading and listening.

Flu season defense: Immune boosters

With the onset of fall weather comes the return of seasonal allergies as well as the desire to strengthen our immune systems in preparation for the upcoming flu season. Fortunately, there are myriad herbs that support both. Let’s take a look. For my money, two of the best immune strengthening herbs are astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceous) and reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). Astragalus, part of the Fabaceae, or legume, family has shown increased phagocytic activity (destruction of microbials) and increase of various antibodies (IgA, IgG) that ward off and fight infection in animal and human studies (Bone, 1996). This is due largely to the polysaccharides and saponins contained in astragalus root. Reishi mushroom, also high in polysaccharides, stimulates macrophage, natural killer T-cells, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the body, all of which attack invaders. Reishi also demonstrates anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, adjunct properties that support immune system action (Stamets, 2002). Both of these herbs are affordable and can be taken easily in powder form sprinkled over food (applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, in a smoothie). For a more convenient (but lower dose) option, I like Oregon’s Wild Harvest Astragalus Reishi capsules. For prophylactic support I recommend 2-3 grams of EACH per day, noting that both of these herbs are indicated for prevention of infection or speedier recovery, NOT for support in the acute stage (see echinacea or elderberry for that). That is, for best results start taking it at the beginning of the flu season (i.e., Now!) to build up in your system – expect that to take a month or two. Both herbs are safe to take over a long period, though traditional herbal wisdom suggests taking a break after a few months. Also, those who are allergic or sensitive to beans/legumes should use caution with astragalus, which is in the same family as previously mentioned. Moving on to allergy relief. To select appropriate herbs, first you must determine what your particular allergy symptoms are, for example: watery, itchy eyes; stuffy nose or post-nasal drip; difficulty breathing/chest tightness; sore throat; cough. Learn which herbs are beneficial for each of these cases in the latest post on my Green Haven Living blog. Good luck! References: Bone, K. (1996). Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs: Monographs for the Western Herbal Practitioner. Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press. Stamets, P. (2002). Mycomedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms. Olympia, WA: MycoMedia Productions. BIO: Donna Koczaja, M.S., RH(AHG) graduated from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Herbalism. She earned Registered Herbalist status from the American Herbalists’ Guild in 2018. Originally educated as a mechanical engineer, she combines the rigor of her original scientific training with the traditional healing art of herbal medicine to partner with her clients to uncover the root cause of their underlying health issues. Also a Master Gardener since 2008, her primary interest is in inspiring others to improve their health and sense of wellbeing through the joys of gardening and the power of natural medicine. Donna currently practices as the professional herbalist at the MUIH Natural Care Center (410-888-9048×6614) in Laurel, Maryland, and can also do remote consultations from anywhere! Read more about her, what she does, and why she does it at www.greenhavenliving.com, or contact her directly at greenhavenliving@gmail.com or 240-353-8754.

Persistent cough is nothing to sneeze at!

“My mother has a persistent, productive cough that keeps her up at night and wakes the entire house. Do you have any suggestions for what I can make for her?”
First, I’m sorry that your mother (and as a result the rest of the family) is suffering. Coughs can last a long time before they resolve. Fortunately, herbal medicine offers a wealth of options that can alleviate several of the symptoms that you are describing.
Let’s peel apart the scenario you described – different herbs are appropriate for different symptoms. At this point I will also assume that you have been to the doctor to rule out or address any serious infections.
A “cough” is typically thought of as having spasms in the lungs. Therefore, respiratory anti-spasmodic herbs are appropriate here, as are antitussives (cough suppressants).
“Productive” means that there is mucus being expelled in the cough. Sometimes known as a “damp cough”, herbs that are expectorant can help clear out and dry the mucus.
Because the cough is persistent I would imagine that the throat is dry, inflamed, and sore. In this case, demulcent (a fancy word for ‘slimy’) herbs are very soothing here as they coat the throat directly to provide topical relief.
Finally, while all of these herbs should help relieve the cough issues and thus help your mother sleep through the night, it would not be a bad idea to include some calming, even sedative herbs in the mix. (Review Judith Fox-Smith’s recent ATH post on sleepy herbs.)
In summary, below is a short list of herbs that possess some of these qualities:
1. Grindelia flower (Grindelia spp): broncho-spasmolytic, expectorant
2. Osha root (Ligusticum porteri): bronchodilator, expectorant, anti-bacterial
3. Elecampane root (Inula helenium): broncho-spasmolytic, expectorant
4. Coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara): antisuttive, expectorant
5. Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus): expectorant, demulcent, anti-catarrhal (decongestant)
6. Wild cherry bark (Prunus spp): antitussive, astringent
7. Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis): demulcent, coating, soothing to mucus membranes
8. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): demulcent, expectorant, anti-inflammatory
9. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): demulcent, expectorant, anti-inflammatory
10. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): nervine, spasmolytic, mildly sedative
For your mother, a nice combination for a bedtime tea might be: coltsfoot, mullein, wild cherry, licorice, California poppy – equal parts (totaling ~1 tbsp per dose) steeped in 2-3C boiling water for 15 minutes. Drink 30-60 minutes before bed.
Of course, there are numerous other combinations of the herbs, so do experiment and see what works best.
Good luck!
BIO:
Donna Koczaja, M.S., RH(AHG) graduated from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Herbalism. She earned Registered Herbalist status from the American Herbalists’ Guild in 2018. Originally educated as a mechanical engineer, she combines the rigor of her original scientific training with the traditional healing art of herbal medicine to partner with her clients to uncover the root cause of their underlying health issues. Also a Master Gardener since 2008, her primary interest is in inspiring others to improve their health and sense of wellbeing through the joys of gardening and the power of natural medicine.
Donna currently practices as the professional herbalist at the MUIH Natural Care Center (410-888-9048×6614) in Laurel, Maryland, and can also do remote consultations from anywhere! Read more about her, what she does, and why she does it at www.greenhavenliving.com, or contact her directly at greenhavenliving@gmail.com or 240-353-8754.

Looking for clearer skin.

Hello I’m a 58 year old woman. I want to know if there is an herbal treatment that can help me with Sebaceous Hyperplasia either orally, topically or both. Thank you.
What is sebaceous hyperplasia? The following is a link for more information on sebaceous hyperplasia: https://www.verywellhealth.com/sebaceous-hyperplasia-causes-symptoms-and-treatments-4144250.
But to answer your question in general terms, let’s look at a couple of factors. Hormonal regulation and the breakdown of hormones play a key role in many skin conditions. Therefore, making sure your hormones are in the right ranges and in balance is very important. You can ask your physician to help you with this. Let’s look at some other factors:
Diet. First, take a look at your diet and make sure that you are eating foods to help support the detoxification process which helps to remove toxins, both endogenous and exogenous. Excess hormones in the body can lead to unwanted problems, including numerous skin issues. Eating foods in the brassica family such as the ones listed here is very important: https://paleoleap.com/eat-brassicas-just-ones-know/.
Avoid transfats. Avoiding the known transfats is important for overall good health including skin, but did you know that any oil that is heated too high will change from a cis to a trans fat? So make sure that you are using the correct temperature for whatever oil you are using. https://www.thespruceeats.com/smoking-points-of-fats-and-oils-1328753.
Fiber. Make sure that there is enough soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. Experts recommend about 25 grams of fiber a day. This will help with proper elimination of unwanted toxins as well.
Supporting the GI. Many autoimmune and inflammatory skin conditions can be linked to problems in the gut or the GI (gastro-intestinal). Therefore it is important to avoid any inflammatory foods and use as many natural anti-inflammatory herbs/foods/spices as possible. I highly recommend keeping a food diary. Here is a link to a number of anti-inflammatory foods: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation.
Herbs to help skin. Herbs that support the skin by helping to clear toxins are known as ‘alteratives’. Herbs that help heal the skin are called ‘vulneraries’. I’ve also added herbs that are anti-microbial as they have been found to help the skin by removing/reducing pathogens. Here is a list of herbs and their actions that are often used to help with skin conditions that you may want to consider. Please note that it is up to each person to determine what herbs they can safely take and the amount as we do not give specific advice.
Actium lappa, burdock root. Alterative, liver and lower GI support
Apium graveolens, celery seed. Anti-inflammatory
Azadirachta indica, neem leaf. Anti-microbial
Berberis vulgaris, barberry root. Anti-microbial, liver support
Bupleurum spp, bupleurum. Anti-microbial, liver support
Calendula officinalis, Calendula. Alterative, vulnerary
Centella asiatica, gotu kola. Vulnerary, adaptogen
Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape root. Anti-microbial, liver support
Matricaria recutita, chamomile. Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary
Scrophularia modosa, figwort. Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary
Silybum marianum, milk thistle. Liver support, alterative
Smilax officinalis, sarsaparilla. Liver support, alterative
Stellaria media, chickweed. Alterative, vulnerary
Taraxacum officinale, dandelion root. Liver support
Zingiber officinale, ginger. Anti-inflammatory
Clays both internally and externally.
In addition to taking herbs, you can try clays. One clay that you can take internally is bentonite clay. My external routine for good skin involves using a loofa daily to gently scrub my body of dirt and impurities. I follow up with a french clay for those areas on my skin that need extra attention to pull out excess impurities and then use witchhazel (I used Thayers) as a natural astringent.
For more answers on skin issues, please visit our website “ask-the-herbalists” at www.herbalistqa.com. Also, reputable places to buy herbs include Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest and Frontier Herbs. Some of these can be also found on Vitacost.com.
Good luck! Jayne
Jayne Tamburello has a master’s degree in Herbal Medicine from Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and is the founder of Invibe Herbal, your one stop shop for healthy, organic herbal tea blends. Please visit our website at: www.invibeherbal.com. Jayne is also a licensed nutritionist (LDN), a certified nutritionist (CNS) and a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, RH(AHG). She can be reached customercare@invibeherbal.com.

Sweet Sleep- Herbal Strategies to Improve the Quality of Sleep

I’m wondering if you could help me find a daily herbal sedative (not pill form) that is readily available at a store like Walmart. Is it possible you would be able to give me any suggestions? How about poppy seeds …will say a teaspoon or tablespoon of these cause a mild sedative effect? I would really appreciate your help in understanding this issue. thank you so much. Thanks, Kevon
To thoroughly answer your question, I would need a better description of what you would like this ‘daily herbal sedative” to do. Is your objective to improve sleep, reduce anxiety or reduce hyperactivity?
There are several medical conditions that impact sleep; discussion of these is outside the scope of this blog. However, herbs may be able to provide you some relief. To begin, there are several online articles on sleep hygiene; these provide basic behavioral strategies for someone to improve sleep without intake of herbs or drugs. To find your solution, one of the first things to do is to perform an objective review of your sleep habits, diet, exercise and lifestyle & work requirements. A Sleep Hygiene Worksheet will help you do that (see the online link in references). An honest review of these things will be the cornerstone to figure out what is your personal hurdle. My herbal response will focus on herbs to improve sleep where anxiety or hyperactivity may be contributing factors.
Another common cause of insomnia is a person’s personal response to the problem. Where a self-perpetuating spiral may be one of the first hurdles to conquer. The herbalist David Hoffmann writes about negative conditioning as follows, “Not sleeping well can lead to worry, frustration and depression which in turn instigates additional psychological pressure to sleep. This anxiety further interferes with sleep. A cycle that may be described as ‘failure-worry-more failure-more worry‘ develops. This pattern becomes self-perpetuating. Behaviors that maintain the insomnia can aggravate the problem, as can performance anxiety.”
Many of the herbs are readily available at Walmart, large pharmacies or health food stores as ground herb in capsules. If you want to avoid having to swallow a capsule (or pill), many of these businesses sell alcohol-based tinctures or glycerin extracts. A blend of equal parts of the liquid tinctures or extracts can be easily prepared by mixing the contents of the bottles then refilling them for dispensing by dropperful (be sure to write on the label what is now in the bottle). Begin with a low dose then work upwards as you gauge your response to the blend. Where 1 dropperful of the blend is the starting dose. My personal favorite is a blend of passionflower (anxiolytic), skullcap (antispasmodic) and willow bark (anti-inflammatory).
Before purchasing a bunch of tinctures and extracts, I would suggest starting with teas. There are several reputable brands that market tea blends for sleep. When taken within 1 hour of retiring for bed, they can be very effective. Particularly if other sleep hygiene habits are respected.
Here is a list of sleep allies provided to us in by nature and used extensively in the Western school of herbal medicine (reference Hoffmann):
Mild hypnotics: Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Linden (Tilia multiple species) and Red clover (Trifolium pretense)
Moderate Hypnotics: Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla vulgaris), Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) and Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
Strong Hypnotics: California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Hops (Humulus lupulus), Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate, flower in the photo above), kava kava (Piper methysticum) and valerian
(Valeriana offincinales).
Again, start slowly with low dose or mild hypnotic herbs then work your way to larger doses of tincture of stronger herbs.
Thanks for writing in to AskTheHerbalists and I hope this helped.
References:
Sleep Hygiene worksheets can be found here: https://printableworksheets.in/worksheet/sleep-hygiene
David Hoffmann, Medical Herbalism, 2003, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT, pgs. 355-362.
Judith Fox Smith, MS, is the founder of Foxsmyth Herbal, in Stoneham, MA. Judy is a biological research scientist and clinical herbalist. She is the founder and past president of the Eastern PA chapter of American Herbalist Guild, the Herb Gatherers of Lansdale, PA and past Vice President of San Antonio Herb Society. She combines her knowledge of biology and botany with her passion to provide practical herbal and lifestyle recommendations for a holistic balance in today’s techno-driven world.
At Ask The Herbalists, your questions are answered for free by professional herbalists, with advanced degrees. Ask us a question! Tell your friends about us! Donate to support our work to create an online space for reliable information on herbal medicine.

Herbal Medicine for Vision and Eye health

Question: Is bilberry and gingko plus lutein safe to take as eye health supplements? I’m on technology a lot and want to improve my eye sight, eye fatigue and blurriness. -Kirstin
Thank you for your question, Kirstin!
Bilberry, Ginkgo and Lutein are safe to take for your eye health. Bilberry and Ginkgo are both herbs and Lutein is a supplement that is an oxygenated carotenoid and an isomer extracted from food. Let’s take a look at each and then address the safety question.
Bilberry’s Latin name is Vaccinium myrtillus and its medicinal properties are in the berry. Bilberry is an outstanding antioxidant for the eyes, which is in large part how it helps to prevent cataracts. It has also been shown to prevent macular degeneration. Bilberry improves visual function and has a positive effect on dark adaptation, meaning it improves night vision. Bilberry may prevent or treat diabetic retinopathy (Braun and Cohen, 2010).
Lutein is also a wonderful antioxidant, which has been demonstrated in various studies. Food sources of lutein include dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, also sweet corn and egg yolks are good sources of lutein. Many clinical trials and epidemiological studies support the concept that lutein and zeaxanthin may have a role in the prevention and treatment of certain eye diseases, like, age-related macular degeneration, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa.
Ginkgo’s medicinal plant part is its leaf and its Latin name is Ginkgo biloba. Gingko has also demonstrated antioxidant activity and it has been shown to be beneficial for macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinopathy. One study showed that ginkgo biloba extract and anthocyanins are seen to be beneficial for various vascular diseases. Ginkgo biloba extract is useful for several retinal disorders and glaucoma. Ginkgo biloba extract is also used by patients with peripheral vascular disease and to treat cerebral insufficiency.
When you are taking herbs and supplements, please remember to always cross check with any medications that you may be taking to be sure that there are no interactions. Medscape is a good site for cross checking herbs with other herbs or herbs with medications. Ginkgo should not be taken with certain medications due to its platelet-activating factor inhibitor activity. Also, brands of supplements really matter, since some companies do not maintain strict quality control measures.
I’m not sure which supplement you are taking specifically. But, a couple of great herbal supplements for eye health that you could get at your local health food store or online are Vision Enhancement from Gaia Herbs, and this Eye Health tincture from Herb Pharm.
Good luck with everything!
Reference book: Braun, L., Cohen, M. (2010). Herbs & Natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide 3rd edition. Australia: El Sevier.
Nicki Mensah is an Herbalist, Nutritionist and Wellness Coach. She has 3 master’s degrees from Maryland University of Integrative Health in Therapeutic Herbalism, Health and Wellness Coaching and Nutrition and Integrative health. She has a private practice in Bowie, Md. And she teaches at Maryland University of Integrative Health in Laurel, Md.
Do you have a question? Ask-the-herbalists!

Itching to learn about eczema?

“Do you have an herbal formula for eczema? Commercial prescription creams are steroids and actually thin the skin.”
Eczema is a skin disorder that afflicts approximately 10% of the United States population (National Eczema Foundation). Steroids are a common medical treatment that can relieve pain and inflammation for acute cases, but they do not address the underlying problem.
There are, indeed, herbs that are indicated – topically and internally – for eczema. Before we dive into these, however, it is useful to understand eczema’s causes. (Side note: I often get asked ‘What’s the difference between eczema and psoriasis?’ Visit my latest Green Haven Living blog post to learn how the two have different causes and thus need to be addressed with different strategies.)
Eczema manifests itself as a red, edematous (fluid-filled) rash, sometimes with oozing plaque in advanced cases. It is often itchy and uncomfortable, the scratching of which can exacerbate the problem. Eczema is thought to be caused by an allergic reaction, which could be to something ingested (as in a food or drug), or something directly coming in contact with the skin (hence the alternate name ‘contact dermatitis’).
Additionally, it is now believed that some forms of contact dermatitis can be caused by a defect in the skin barrier system that prevents invaders. In these cases where the ‘keratinocyte barrier function’ is compromised, the disorder is known as atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is thought to be genetic.
For long-term management, eczema can be mitigated by identifying the offending trigger and avoiding it. Unfortunately, however, this is easier said than done as there are endless possibilities in today’s modern, toxin-filled world. Even so, for those with atopic dermatitis, these individuals are susceptible to contact allergic reactions due to the compromised skin barrier.
As herbalists, we employ herbs with specific actions that address the symptoms and causes of eczema. For topical use, herbs that are anti-inflammatory, vulnerary (wound/skin-healing), and demulcent (soothing on contact) are appropriate for application directly on the rash. Internally, anti-histamine herbs can alleviate some of the itch. A special class of herbs with the somewhat mysterious name of ‘alteratives’ (and equally mysterious mechanism of action!) are imperative in addressing skin challenges. Sometimes known as ‘blood purifiers’, alteratives aid in the detoxification processes that break down unwanted, foreign substances. At this point, lymphatic herbs step in to move the metabolic ‘garbage’ left over from these processes out of the body to clear the offending substance and reduce the allergic response.
Specifically, for internal use:
Anti-histamines: stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) – not to be confused with ‘common’ skullcap, which is Scutellaria lateriflora
Alteratives: burdock root (Arctium lappa), yellow dock (Rumex crispus), sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)
Lymphatics: poke root (Phytolacca americana)*, calendula (Calendula officinalis), red root (Ceanothus spp.)
*poke root is a ‘low dose’, potentially toxic herb. Use sparingly, preferably under the care of a trained professional.
For topical use, I recently came across a commercial product that has just about all the herbs I would recommend for eczema. It’s called Eczacalm, from Moon Valley Organics. Here’s what’s in it, along with several carrier oils and beeswax:
Anti-inflammatories: St. John’s wort (Hypericum officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria officinalis), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Vulneraries: comfrey (Symphytum officinalis), calendula (Calendula officinalis), plantain (Plantago major)
Demulcents: colloidal oats (Avena sativa), aloe (Aloe vera)
Alterative: burdock root (Arctium lappa)
Supports regeneration of skin cells: horsetail (Equisitum arvense)
In summary, for best results I recommend both an internal and external approach. A tea with nettles, sarsaparilla, and calendula would be nice, for example, to pair up with a cream such as the one described above. Don’t forget to do a little investigative work to see if the trigger(s) can be identified as avoiding these can go a long way to healthier skin!
BIO:
Donna Koczaja, M.S., RH(AHG) graduated from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Herbalism. She earned Registered Herbalist status from the American Herbalists’ Guild in 2018. Originally educated as a mechanical engineer, she combines the rigor of her original scientific training with the traditional healing art of herbal medicine to partner with her clients to uncover the root cause of their underlying health issues. Also a Master Gardener since 2008, her primary interest is in inspiring others to improve their health and sense of wellbeing through the joys of gardening and the power of natural medicine.
Donna currently practices as the professional herbalist at the MUIH Natural Care Center (410-888-9048×6614) in Laurel, Maryland, and can also do remote consultations from anywhere! Read more about her, what she does, and why she does it at www.greenhavenliving.com, or contact her directly at greenhavenliving@gmail.com or 240-353-8754.

Herbal Anti-Inflammatory tincture

been fascinated by the concept of inflammation in the body and all of its associated ills. Lately, inflammation has been the “it” reason for almost every illness, and — truthfully — I believe it might actually be a significant symptom of multiple illnesses. Inflammation happens but what causes it? Well, there seem to be a multitude of reasons for runaway inflammation: stress, Omega 3:6:9 imbalance, processed foods, leaky gut, exposure to chemicals and heavy metals, childhood trauma, allergies of all kinds, inflammatory foods, an imbalance of gut bacteria, dehydration, poor sleep. You name it.
What harm does inflammation do? Well, inflammation is associated with many things: metabolic syndrome (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), arthritis, Alzheimer’s, lowered immunity–thus making one more susceptible to colds and the flu, chronic pain, depression, candida overgrowth, and it has been implicated as a driver in all kinds of auto-immune disorders. I’m sure tomorrow a new study will show that it causes the “terrible twos” and “midlife crises”! 
Here is a link for more information on inflammation, its symptoms and causes.
When, one by one, each of my family members were bitten by ticks and came down with Lyme’s disease (welcome to southeastern Pennsylvania!), safely managing the long-term inflammation issues associated with this spirochete was my goal. I turned to Stephen Buhner’s herbal protocol as a basis of my tincture. I spent a few years trying to create a single tincture that would address the effects of chronic inflammation due to Lyme’s disease which for me were persistent joint soreness and fatigue, as well as other inflammatory issues that I had including rosacea, an auto-immune disorder that I inherited from my father (thanks, Dad!). 

The tincture worked so well for me that when my husband needed something for his chronic back pain and relief from pain due to a near-fatal motorcycle accident, this tincture became a mainstay. In fact, it helped him to stay off opioid-based pain killers (note: there is no killing the pain of an 8 inch incision from your diaphragm to your groin, not even with opioids.) The proof was “in the pudding” when he had to quit the tincture for surgery, and in the ten days between ceasing his daily dose and the surgery for his disk rupture, his pain increased from (in his words) “manageable to unmanageable.”

So, what is this stuff made of?
Here is a list of the ingredients I use. The proportions and how to make it is set forth after that.
“Herbal Anti-Inflammatory” tincture ingredients:
birch bark (Betula lenta)
cat’s claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa)
ginger root
 (Zingiber officinale), use fresh if you can
Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) (This is where I get mine… I know these folks and they are the real deal!) https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusquehannApothecary
Oregon grape root (Mahonia repens, nervosa, aquifolium)
turmeric root (Curcuma longa), use fresh if you can
In addition, these healthy bitters support liver function:
burdock root

 (Arctium lappa)
dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale)
For taste, anti-inflammatory properties and adding greater bioavailability add these herbs:
cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
pepper corns (black is best) or ground pepper (Piper nigrum)
star anise (Illicium verum)
The following herbs are optional:
eleuthero, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) (for greater energy)
meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) (for pain)
saffron (Crocus sativus)
Medium quality vodka (I recommend skipping the poor quality ones due to taste)
Instructions:
I use varying size containers when I make it. Lately I’ve been using the jar pictured below. It holds two gallons.
5 parts of each:
fresh gingerfresh turmeric

2 parts of each of the following:
birch barkburdock rootcat’s clawcinnamondandelion rootJapanese knotweedOregon grape root
1 part each:
black peppersaffron (or however much you have)star anise
4 or 5 whole nutmegs if you have whole ones…or one half part ground nutmeg (or less depending on taste).
Optional (but helpful) add 2 parts of the following:
eleutheromeadowsweet
I use fresh turmeric root (not powdered) and fresh ginger because I think they are more potent. Slice the turmeric and ginger into the thinnest slices you can muster. There is no need to skin the ginger and turmeric, but rather just make long, thin slices out of the fresh root and place it into the jar. Add all the other ingredients. It will look like the photo on the right when you are done.


Add the vodka so that it covers all the ingredients by about an inch.

 Mix the herbs and the alcohol thoroughly and then set into a corner of your kitchen with no natural light. Do not put it in the refrigerator! Mix or shake it daily if you can.
Wait a week or so and then strain through a thin mesh strainer or coffee filter. I often use a turkey baster to “pre-filter” the mixture into a wire tea strainer, eliminating big chunks and leaving them in the jar. Strain the mixture into small bottles with droppers, or simply store it in the mason jar it was made in. (Just make sure you tell the kids it isn’t iced tea!). 

You can use these ingredients up to three times with new alcohol, but the tincture will get less strong each time you do this. 

I am experimenting with, at the end of the process, using a masticating juicer to extract everything out of the ginger and turmeric root slices and then using that “juice” in future tinctures.

Dosage: 

This is always tricky. People weigh different amounts and respond differently to pain and pain-killers. This is something you have to experiment with. As a reference, my husband is 6’2″ and he was requiring a “shot” of this tincture 3 times a day to manage acute pain. Your needs may be less so always use your own responses to the herbs as a guide. And check in often with yourself.
Disclaimer:

Of course, if you are on any kind of medication at all, you should talk to your doctor about contraindications. Also, you MUST terminate using this tincture ten days before any surgery.

 I’m not a doctor and don’t even play one on TV, so I’m just sharing my own experience and not telling you what to do or how to treat illness. Do your own research! Good luck!
Marie Goodwin is a writer, activist, and recovering academic who is de-schooling herself while unschooling her two teens in Media, Pennsylvania. She wears many hats (event planner, archaeologist, student of herbalism, writer). She is currently birthing her first novel of historical fiction. You can find even more of her writing on her blog Personal Mycology, where this post is originally published.

Help! Are there poison ivy remedies?

It’s summer which means more outdoor adventures, but also more exposure to biting insects and poisonous plants including poison oak and poison ivy. Of course, prevention is ideal, but that doesn’t always work! David wrote to us asking for remedies to help with poison ivy and I have some suggestions for you. Check out these soothing remedies…
1. Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
This plant is easy to identify (see photo) and grows in moist areas. If you find it growing nearby after brushing up against poison ivy, crush some leaves and apply directly to your skin. This will help remove some of the oils from your skin and prevent irritation.
2. Grindelia (Grindelia robusta)
This is another plant that can help lessen the severity of a poison ivy encounter. Apply as soon as possible after washing the exposed area. You can apply the crushed gummy flower heads or a grindelia salve directly on the affected area. Grindelia is an ingredient in some of the popular Technu products as well.
3. Plantain (Platago spp)
This common plant is another useful ally to use as a poultice to remove oils and soothe and tonify the skin.
4.
Other non-herbal remedies to consider:
– Coconut oil applied directly to skin can help soothe an itchy rash.
– A bentonite clay + water paste / mask can help draw and dry out a rash.
– An oatmeal bath can calm itching and soothe the skin (add oats to a sock or bag to avoid the stress of a messy bathtub!).
Salut,
Amy