I love herbs!

The last few days have been particularly enjoyable as I have been able to help people learn more about herbs. These are some of the great experiences I've had over the last few days and months.

It's interesting that when people are suffering, and they have been to the doctor, but nothing is working, just how desperate they become. They are willing to try almost anything to make the pain go away! I hate that they are in pain, but I absolutely love to hear what happens after they use the herbs. One family had a sick little girl, she had a low grade fever and would have severe stomach aches, and was constipated and it had been going on for at least two weeks. Nothing was helping her get better and the parents were considering going to a specialist. Kent and I both recommended the Lower Bowel formula (she was old enough the swallow capsules) for the constipation and Slippery Elm Bark powder for the aching tummy (a tbs mixed into water, then drink). Dad reported to us, the Slippery Elm Bark was fantastic and she was all better in 3 days! YEAH!

One friend's son got a severe cut on his leg (almost to the bone) and I gave a little dried comfrey leaf (fresh would have been better). I told them just to get the comfrey rehydrated then place it directly on the wound and bandage it. The father told me two days later that he was astounded how quickly it had healed and the wound appeared to be almost closed.

One other friend has been suffering from something that the doctors have not been able to identify. I took her some herbs and she made a concentrated tea then has used it as a fomentation (getting a cloth wet with the tea and wrapping it over the affected area). She has reported that the pain is less severe and less frequent!

Another woman stopped by today for her son because he also had a severe cut. I was able to give her frozen comfrey, hopefully I'll hear in the next few days how the boy is doing.

Cayenne has to be the most amazing thing. Most people don't believe me and look at me like I'm crazy. Cayenne is a fantastic first aid herb. It will stop bleeding really quickly. A friend of mine had learned about cayenne and put it to the test. They were castrating their cattle and one calf would not stop bleeding. He was losing so much blood they were afraid he would bleed to death. She went and got the powdered cayenne put it in water and fed it to him. She said within a few seconds the steady flow of blood became a slow drip.

I had my own experience with cayenne and William. He thought he was going to be big and cut an apple for himself and instead cut two of his little fingers. I didn't really want to burn his mouth so I dropped the powdered herb onto his finger and he didn't like that one bit. So I washed it off and he still continued to bleed. After applying pressure for several minutes, and going through 3 or so paper towels, I had Abby put the cayenne powder in warm water and gave 2 droppersful into his mouth. Again, within seconds, the bleeding stopped. We now have cayenne tincture on hand in case of emergencies.

I have even more stories to share, but I'll stop here tonight with the examples. One thing I wish I could change is people's fear of herbs. They were made for us to use by God. They must be used wisely, and knowledgeably, but they are so much better for us than drugs! Herbs have vitamins, minerals, and other chemicals that are GOOD for us. That is why they are so healing. Not because they are magical in some way. They help make the body stronger, healthier. How many drugs do that? (I have to answer my rhetorical question - Steroids can make us stronger, just not healthier).

I also want to make a distinction. I consider taking the isolated active ingredient out of an herb a drug. God made the plant the way He did for a reason. I use the whole herb for healing, just as God created it.