MMW L07-b - Power Plants for Healing - Herbs

Aim

To learn how to harvest, process, package, and prescribe the Herbs.

HARVESTING THE HERBS

THE SENALI MOTTO is: “Follow the Sap,” because “The trees of the Lord are full of sap” – Ps. 104:16.

The sap is the medicinal propolis or “blood” of the tree which moves from the leaves to the roots or vice versa, at certain seasons. 

1. The Areal parts These are the leaves, flowers, and twigs. 

The best time to harvest them is before the full rainy season because the sap is high in the branches, leaves, and blossoms. 

2. Roots

The best time is during the dry season and before new leaves or flower buds appear. This time, more sap is stored in the roots. 

3. Stems /Barks 

At the close of the rainy season and before the cold season sets in. It is the time of the descending sap. Also at the time when the new leaves or flowers start budding – the time of ascending sap. The latter is the best time.

NOTES 

(a) You can harvest any time of the year, especially if the herbs are irrigated. What is given above is just the prime time for maximum efficacy or potency of your herbal products. (b) Plants make their chlorophyll during the day in the presence of sunshine (photosynthesis) and at the same time breathe in carbon dioxide to make their food (carbohydrates, etc.). At the same time, oxygen is released. The reverse occurs at night: breathing in oxygen, and carbon dioxide out. Therefore, it is better to harvest herb leaves in the afternoon, up to sunset. 

4. Drying the Herbs 

The general rule is to dry under the shed:

(i) Leaves and Flowers – should be dried on their twigs and then remove leaves later, it you have to –but better grind both leaves and twigs together if possible.

(ii) Barks and Roots – if the stem or root is stout, it is better you peel the bark off while fresh and pound them before drying. In the case of tubers, the best is to pound all while fresh and then dry. This will help you dry the herbs faster, otherwise, some cannot be pounded easily should they dry first.

PACKAGING, STORING, AND PROCESSING ADMINISTERING THE HERBS

1. PROCESSING

(a) Powders --pound /grind the dry herbs and then immediately seal them in tins, bottles, or plastic bags.

(b)Tinctures – Place powders, dry or fresh pieces, etc. in large glass or clay containers then add edible clear grain alcohol or organic vinegar. Fill just above the herbs and close. Keep shaking the container or steer the herbs in it. Keep for 5 to 10 days – shaking or steering once a day during those days. Finally sieve and store in dark

glass bottles or opaque plastic bottles.

(c) Oils – As in (b) above, but use olive, sunflower, caster or any raw, cold pressed oil, instead of alcohol.

(d) Syrups – As in (b) above, but use honey or molasses instead of alcohol, vinegar or oils.

Formulas – are made from a mixture of two or more herbs of similar nature or usage. Formulas are stronger than single herbs because they are a combined force of nutrients and medicinal powers. Better if you prepare single powders and keep apart as singles until you are delivering them for use- that is when you can mix to formulate them. Because, if you mix and keep too long before use, a “civil war” among the multi-properties in them may be sparked! Moreover, you need to know which herb is more powerful and on such, you reduce its measure in the mixture: e g. “SLEEP TEA” 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water, or Dosage: 2 to 4 capsules, once a day 30 minutes before sleeping.

2. PACKAGING

Packaging is a very important part of the process. Dark glass bottles are the best for liquids. If not, opaque plastic bags and bottles are better than clear ones. Metal tins not the best-may rust and the metal may react with the herbs especially if the moisture in the powders is high. Air-tight containers or bags the best, as air [oxygen] may react with the multi-nutrients in the herbs, causing them to expire fast.

3. LABELLING

The labels on the packs should contain at least some brief pieces of information, e.g. 

{a] Name of the product: This is the name you have given to the product, or name of the herb.

[b] Medicinal uses-i.e. for which health problems?

[c] Dosage form-is it taken in orally or for external use only or both?

[e] Dosage measure or suggested use-quantity to take, the times and duration it should be taken. Show both adult and children dosages.

(f) Caution/ Warning – with herbal products we need not use frightening words like “Warning” as if we are dealing with poisons. The best is “Caution” or even “note.” Caution means things the user should be careful of or may expect: Does it have some side effects if taken in excess or for too long? If really there is a problem, better include it: e.g. “Large doses may cause diarrhea and dizziness”, or “Not recommended for pregnant mothers and children under 7 years old.” 

(g) Shelf Life- Indicate the date or month of packaging and the date of expiry. E.g., “packed 8th June 2023, expiry- June 2024” or “Best if used before June 2024”.

Note that powders, cut herbs and homemade syrups have shorter shelf-life spans than powders in capsules- which can stay for several years.

4. STORAGE

Store in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunshine, heat, and children.

5. ADMINISTERING THE HERBS

As earlier discussed, herbs are foods. However, some are powerful and must be taken in lesser amounts: e g Datura leaf can cause fatigue and severe dryness of the tongue and throat, even madness if taken overdose!

The Red Indians call it “go mad” in their language! Warning: Datura seeds are very poisonous and can cause instant death! Lobelia can cause nausea and vomiting. You should therefore explain the right amounts to be taken, including these necessary cautions.

Organic food and herbal medicines may be considered expensive, but they are the real things – the “diamonds”! Those who sell cheaply know that is the value of what they are selling! Beware of very cheap things – they may end up being expensive! However, let Natural doctors not inflate prices because it is poor people who are the majority of the sick population.

6. CHARACTER OF HERBS

Character of herbs means what herbs can do in the body after it is taken in. The English, Latin or Greek words or word stems used are often incomprehensive or too big, rare, or unknown to the common learner.

Therefore, further explanation should be included so that the average reader or users can understand the message in it: 

1. Alterative – cleansing, stimulates the removal of toxins from the body.

2. Analgesic – relieves pain.

3. Anodyne – reduces pain

4. Anthelmintic (also Febrifuge, Vermifuge) – expels worms.

5. Antipyretic – reduces fever

6. Antiscorbutic - prevents scurvy.

7. Antibiotic – destroys or inhibits the growth of germs.

8. Antimicrobial – antibiotic.

9. Antispasmodic – reduces muscle spasm and tension.

10. Anti- tussive – inhibits the cough reflex thus help stop coughs.

11. Appetitive – stimulates appetite.

12. Astringent – precipitates proteins from the surface of cells or mucus membranes, producing a protective coating.

13. Carminative – relieves flatulence, digestive colic, and gastric discomfort- expels gas from the bowels.

14. Cholagogue – increases the flow of bile.

15. Diaphoretic (also Sudorific) – increases or produces perspiration.

16. Diuretic – increases the flow of urine.

17. Emetic – produces vomiting.

18. Emmenagogue – promotes menstruation.

19. Emollient (also Mucilaginous) – soothing to inflamed parts.

20. Expectorant – promotes the discharge of mucus.

21. Hemostatic – promotes blood clotting.

22. Hepatic – remedy for liver diseases.

23. Laxative – encourages bowel movement.

24. Narcotic – causes stupor and numbness.

25. Nervine – affects the nervous system, stimulates or relaxes the nerves.

26. Purgative – drastic laxative.

27. Rubefacient – stimulates blood flow to the skin, causing local reddening.

28. Sedative – soothing and calming the nerves.

29. Styptic – stops external bleeding.

30. Systemic – affecting the entire body.

31. Tonic – restoring nourishing, supporting the whole body. 32. Vasoconstrictor – reduces the diameter of blood vessels.

33. Vasodilator – increases the diameter of blood vessels. 

34. Vulnerary – heals wounds.

End of the Lesson 7b