Meet Our Shiloh Woods Team
Herbal Gardens at Shiloh Woods Farm
We grow many of our own herbs right here at Shiloh Woods using sustainable, permaculture gardening principles. Check out our Plant Walks to learn more.
Five things I love about Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine Works!
Today, it is the most widely used form of healthcare in the world. It is the only healthcare system that has been studied and used continuously for thousands and thousands of years! It is ancient knowledge. There are thousands of studies from around the world that document the effectiveness of herbal medicine. If that’s not enough, just ask the multi-billion dollar Big Pharm industry that spends millions of dollars combing the world over, mountains and valleys, deserts and forests, to find new plants to study so that they can synthesize the compounds, then patent and manufacture “new” drugs and get rich off of our unhealthy lifestyles. Fortunately, a few of our modern, western practitioners are rediscovering the benefits of natural medicine. They are rediscovering that whole plant medicine is both over-all more effective and many time safer than their synthesized counterparts.
Herbal Medicine is Safe!
Herbal medicine as a whole is incredibly safe; however, it does need to be respected. Not all natural plant products are safe, some can be harmful if not used appropriately; this why seeking counsel from a reputable herbalist is vitally important. However, a recent article on pharmaceuticals says “nearly 52 percent of the deaths are related to prescription drugs.” When looking at our options for healthcare in America, all medicine needs to be respected, but natural healing sources are clearly a safe and simple alternative. Making a basic herbal medicine chest for most of your common health issues is both safe and effective.
Herbal Medicine is Affordable!
The rising cost of modern healthcare has made is nearly impossible for many people to afford to seek help when needed. The beautiful thing about herbal medicine is that MANY common remedies can be grown in your own back yard or in pots in your apartment, making herbal medicine the true “medicine of the people”, one that anyone can afford. In fact, locally grown herbal medicine is more healing to the body, so growing your own medicine is not only better for your wallet but it’s better for your body too! Win, win!
Herbal Medicine is Readily Available and Sustainable!
Herbs are readily available for minimal to no cost. There are herbalists and gardeners everywhere that would love to share their seeds or plants with you. Contact your local Herb Club. You plant them and care for them and have seasonal medicine readily available. You can preserve your herbs and have that medicine available to you year round! Most herbs are incredibly hardy and some are downright invasive and need to be in pots (think Sweet Mint!), so it is certainly a sustainable way to have your medicine at your fingertips at little cost! The other side of this is learning about what grow wild in your area, learn to forage, or wildcraft, as we like to call it. There are FANTASIC herbs growing along the way, waiting to join your home herbal medicine chest. Some of your “medicine” is available right at your local farmer’s market…
Garlic – Garlic has been used in many cooking dishes, but it has shown to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Peppermint – Not only useful as a breath freshener but it also aids digestions and helps reduce nausea and flatulence.
Ginger root – Also aids digestion and helps with nausea especially during morning sickness.
Oats & Oat Straw – These wonder herbs are full of calcium and magnesium so they help relieve anxiety, restlessness, and stressed out nerves! Also great for irritated skin.
Peppermint – Not only useful as a breath freshener but it also aids digestions and helps reduce nausea and flatulence.
Ginger root – Also aids digestion and helps with nausea especially during morning sickness.
Oats & Oat Straw – These wonder herbs are full of calcium and magnesium so they help relieve anxiety, restlessness, and stressed out nerves! Also great for irritated skin.
Herbal Medicine is Freedom!
There are many herbs that to do similar things. For example many people are familiar with the relaxing qualities of Lavender, but there is another herb called Lemon Balm that is also very calming. Lemon Balm, however, is much more prolific and grows much faster than Lavender. Having herbs in your herbal garden, or medicine chest, gives you the freedom to choose which herb you would like to use and how much. No one has written you a prescription that says take three cups and only three cups! You are in control of your health, never let anyone tell you differently. We need to take back our healthcare and herbal medicine gives up an opportunity to do that!
