Herbs Used By the Pioneers

Jo Francks MH

In Utah we celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24th. But Utah isn’t the only state where pioneers immigrated to the area. Many states and countries have had groups of people create their homes in a new place and when they did they brought with them their beloved medicine from their previous home. These were seeds carefully chosen to bring with them as medicine to keep them healthy and well. It was also necessary to learn about the local plants and how to use them as food and medicine. 

Because they had to rely on what they grew to survive, not only did they need to think about food and medicine but also plants to deter pests and to resist disease. Companion planting was used as a survival method out of necessity. 

As a medicine, dandelion seeds were chosen by the pioneers to bring along because dandelions were good medicine for almost everything. It’s hard to think about a world without dandelions because they grow so abundantly out of control, but they have been a valued medicine for many people. The whole plant is used medicinally. The root is used for the liver and as a blood purifier, the leaves help the kidneys as a diuretic and stimulate bile flow in the liver. They are also very nutritious. The flowers were used the same as the leaves and to make wine, jam, and as a dye for fabric.  

Many pioneers had learned methods used by Samuel Thompson. He used lobelia to purge the system and cayenne to build it back up. Cayenne was a staple for emergencies because of its ability to stop bleeding and increase circulation and stamina.

Yarrow was valued as a treatment for stomach problems and fevers. It acts as a diaphoretic as a very warm tea to produce perspiration in a dry fever.

There were many tree barks which provided wonderful treatment for many different ailments. Poplar bark and willow bark both contain salicylic acid and were used to reduce pain. Oak bark and its astringent properties helped with diarrhea, hemorrhoids, tooth and gum issues, and to heal old wounds. Wild cherry bark gave its expectorant blessings to those suffering with coughs, colds, and other lung problems. 

The pioneers relied on plants, prayer, and perseverance to keep them well. When doctors came around the use of plant medicine was slowly replaced with drugs. Today many people are turning back to the use of plant medicine as a means to bring back true health. We have mentioned a few plants that have been used for hundreds of years with good results. Dr. Christopher encouraged his patients and students to find out what was growing in their own backyards and use it. I encourage you to do the same. 

Recipe

Pad Thai Zoodles

For the Dressing

2 TBS minced ginger

4 small cloves garlic

¼ cup lime juice

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup avocado oil

¾ cup coconut aminos

1 TBS honey

1 cup raw cashews

For the zoodles:

4 small zucchini, spiralized

1 cup grated carrots

2 cups shredded purple cabbage

¾ cup green onion, thinly sliced

1 ½ cups bell pepper, thinly sliced

Topping (use as many or as few as you like):

2 ripe avocados, sliced

Chopped cashews or sesame seeds

Fresh cilantro

Place all dressing ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. This can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

Toss veggies and zoodles together in a bowl. Top with dressing, sliced avocado, chopped cashews (or sesame seeds) and fresh cilantro. 

This delicious recipe was provided by Laura Hampton, a student at the School of Natural Healing. Thank you Laura!

 What’s in Your Backpack? 

Back to School Suggestions

 

Jo Francks MH

Whether you’re going back to school or on an afternoon hike, it’s always good to be prepared to face any small emergency that might come up. A few simple remedies in your backpack will bring comfort and healing when a situation arises. Here are some suggestions on what you will want to have in your backpack this fall. 

Cayenne:

First of all, for many emergencies, you’ll want to have cayenne. This will stop bleeding and has been used to stop heart attacks. It is used to prevent shock, hypothermia, and to give you a quick energy boost. It stimulates and equalizes circulation helping with lethargy and brain fog. In your backpack you can pack either cayenne powder to mix in water when needed, or an extract to use either in water or straight in the mouth in an emergency. 

Healing Ointment:

Never leave home without some kind of healing ointment. This can be Dr. Christopher’s Complete Tissue and Bone ointment or something else of your choice. This comes in handy for those awful paper cuts. You’ve all had one and healing ointment feels better than lemon juice. The ointment can be carried in a small jar or even in a lip balm tube. Why not use it on your lips? Many high schoolers are very concerned about the condition of their lips.

I like to use an ointment containing comfrey and calendula for healing, pain relief and for itching. You can add other herbs you like to it. Here’s a short video on how to make a calendula ointment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOLyNGKLSro

Rescue Remedy:

This is a Bach Flower remedy to use when you're faced with a stressful situation. Is it pop quiz time? Did you forget to do your math assignment? It’s the end of the quarter and you’re failing chemistry? Do you have a newsletter due? Well, Rescue Remedy to the rescue. This will help you stay calm and not freak out. This comes in many different forms including drops, gummies, and a spray.

Immune Support:

It’s important to keep your immune system strong to prevent picking up the latest virus or bacterial infection going around. 

Echinacea is used if you have been around a sick person. Start taking it 3 times a day or every hour if you have symptoms. This will help kick the immune system into gear to help fight off infections, sore throats, colds, flus, and runny noses. 

Red Raspberry Leaves can be used every day and will help build the immune system. It will also be helpful for girls who have symptoms of PMS or menstrual cramps.

Other herbs to use to help with immunity are garlic as a natural antibiotic, calendula, lemon balm, cat's claw, and elderberries. 

The wonderful thing about herbs is that many of them have similar properties so if one isn’t available you can choose another that does many of the same things.

Pack a few of these items in your backpack and you will be ready for a lot of things you might face on the playground, in the classroom, or on the trail.  

Energy Bars

These make a great after school snack

1 ½  cups chopped pitted dates

1 ½ cups rolled oats

2 tbsp coconut flakes

2 tbsp chia seeds

½ cup nuts (walnuts, macadamias, brazil nuts, etc.)

⅓ cup natural peanut butter

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Add the above ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and sticky. 

Line an 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper. Pour the mixture from the food processor into the pan. Add ¼ cup dark chocolate chips and mix into the dough. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Remove from the pan by holding the parchment paper and lifting out of the pan. Cut into bars. 

Herb of the year 2023

 Ginger

Zingiber officinalis

This year we celebrate Ginger as herb of the year for 2023 according to the International Herb Association. This is an important herb to us, and was cherished by Dr. Christopher. He used ginger in many of his herbal formulas. He called it a lead sheep because it has the ability to take the other herbs where they need to go. He was able to target the area in need because of the ginger in the formula.

Dr. Christopher tells the following story about ginger. 

“I remember when a lady called from Salt Lake to my residence in Cottonwood at three o’clock in the morning. Her daughter was screaming in the background with terrible stomach pain. I was tired, as I had been out on night calls and had just barely retired to bed, and I said, “Take some ginger and baking soda. The pain will stop; and go back to bed. I’ll call in the morning.” She begged, “Oh, you’ve got to come.” So I said, “all right.” I pulled on my clothes and set out. It was eight or ten miles, so before I got there the pains grew so acute that she finally decided to do what I told her to do. And when I arrived, the daughter met me at the door - all smiles - no pain.”

In the School of Natural Healing book, it mentions ginger as a mild stimulant. It goes from the capillaries, through the venous structure, to the heart and back again. It is more diffusive than cayenne, but may be used as a substitute for it when it is unavailable. Ginger is well known for its circulatory and digestive properties.

Studies have shown ginger to be useful in motion sickness and nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Historically ginger has been used as a carminative. It helps to expel excess gas out of the intestinal tract. Its qualities are antispasmodic, diaphoretic, sternutatory (makes you sneeze), rubefacient, pungent and condiment. Some of the things it has been used for are boils, bronchitis, colds, congestion, diarrhea, flatulence, flu, gout, headache, menstruation, nausea, neuralgia, paralysis of tongue, sore throat, and toothache.

Externally ginger can be used for inflammation. A decoction can be made and used as a fomentation to relieve pain and congestion. In the tub a couple of tablespoons can be added to the water to promote perspiration in case of fevers. This can also help relieve tired and achy muscles.

I think ginger is a great selection for herb of the year. We have used it many times for a variety of reasons and we often mix it with other herbs to enhance their use. May we all honor the herb Ginger this year and always.

Gifts from the Heart

 Gifts From the Heart

Jo Francks, MH

Giving gifts from the heart that you have made yourself and put your love into is fun and rewarding.

Making them with children is always adventurous. We used to have fun making fizzy bath bombs that my kids would give to their friends for Christmas. They smelled good, were inexpensive, and their friends loved them. For adults, bath salts are nice and can be just the thing people need after a stressful holiday season. 

Here are a few fun ideas for making gifts from the heart.

Fizzy Bath Bombs:

1 cup baking soda

½ cup cornstarch

½ cup citric acid

10-20 drops essential oil

Mix together and sprinkle lightly with witch hazel in a spray bottle until it holds together when a little is squeezed in the hand. Spray a little and stir, repeat. It can take some time. Add the Essential oils at the end of mixing. Kids like peppermint, or citrus scents. Lavender can be used as a relaxing scent. Pack tightly into molds. Mini cupcake molds, candy molds or ice cube trays. After about 10 minutes turn molds upside down and tap to get the bath bombs out. It takes practice. If they fall apart spray with more witch hazel and re-mold.

Bath Salts:

1 cup epsom salts

1 cup coarse sea salt 

10-20 drops essential oil

Food coloring (optional)

Place salts in a large bowl and mix well. Scoop about ½ cup in a small bowl. Add the drops of essential oil and food coloring and mix well. Add the blended mixture to the large bowl a little at a time until you are pleased with the scent and color. Pour your salts in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake every day for a few days before packaging.

For relaxing bath salts add 10 drops orange, 5 drops lavender, and 5 drops Ylang Ylang essential oils.

For energizing bath salts add 5 drops eucalyptus, and 10 drops peppermint essential oils

Playdough:

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vegetable oil of any type

1 cup water

Essential oils about 10-15 drops (optional)

Food coloring (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a pan and heat on medium heat stirring constantly. When it all clings to the spoon and becomes a ball, remove from heat and place the dough on a piece of wax paper. Allow to cool until it can be kneaded. Knead the dough until it is smooth. If you would like to add essential oils, use about 10 drops by poking a few holes in the dough, drop 1-2 drops of essential oil into each hole, knead the dough until it is well mixed. Keep in an airtight container.

Food coloring can be added during the heating process if desired.

Garden Sage

 Garden Sage

Salvia officinalis

Jo Francks MH

An ancient Latin proverb goes, “Why should a man die when Sage flourishes in his garden?”

Sage is an herb that is so beneficial for so many things one could ask the question, “What isn’t it good for?” There is a lot of history of sage from many cultures. It was used daily in many societies and considered a valuable part of their good health habits.

The Chinese have been using sage for centuries. They use it for kidney infections, sore throat, diarrhea and other discharges. In India it is used for excessive perspiration, tickling coughs, stomach disorders and infection.

In Dr. Christopher’s Herb Syllabus book there is a short sentence mentioning the memory, “It is said to be good for the memory and to enhance mental acuteness.” I have learned not to overlook what the books say. I have also found that fleeting statement to be true. After using sage tea for a couple of weeks to test it, I found my memory improved and was more alert and able to concentrate. It also improved my sleep. 

Sage is known as a flavoring for various dishes especially at Thanksgiving to flavor the stuffing. If we knew it’s full potential we would all have a plant growing right out our back door. It is an astringent and because of this there are lists of things it can help with. If we start from the head down, we already mentioned the memory, it is also good for sinus issues, headaches, and is especially good for sore throats and mouth sores. Rubbing the fresh leaf on the teeth can help whiten them. Using the cold tea will help reduce night sweats and excessive perspiration. The tea or diluted tincture can be applied to the armpits to help reduce perspiration in this area. During pregnancy it is used to help prevent miscarriage. Although a nursing mother would want to put it’s use on hold until she’s ready to wean the baby. At that time sage will help dry up the milk when taken cold. It has also been used to reduce hot flashes and it works really well for this. 

Another one of Sage’s benefits is as a diaphoretic. It will make you sweat when taken hot. This makes it helpful in illnesses accompanied by a fever. Sage can be used internally and externally for rheumatism. It will stop bleeding when applied externally, and will bring color back to the hair. 

I hope you have found something that you can use sage to help you with. It is a very useful and resourceful plant. It is worth growing and in some areas is an evergreen and will keep its leaves all year long. The leaves can easily be dried for use in the winter.

Emotional Well Being

  Emotional Well Being

Jo Francks, MH

I recently received a call from someone who was considering ending his life. He thought he was calling a hotline for help with his issues but somehow got my number. In this situation, I had to think fast to help him change his thinking and help him realize that his life mattered and that he was of great worth on earth. He was surprised at the things I said to him as if I knew him. I know what I said to him came from a higher source and it was no coincidence that he got my number. When we finished our conversation he was in a much better place emotionally. Unfortunately, there are many people silently suffering from emotional and mental issues that don’t know where to turn for help. I will be sharing some sources that people can use to help with emotional issues.

Number one is proper nutrition and herbs. We want to get the nervous system and the endocrine system working optimally. First eliminate toxins that are disruptive to the nervous system which can create an imbalance in the body's chemical system. These include sugar, artificial colors or sweeteners, MSG or “Natural Flavorings”, and anything that is added to food as a preservative. Eat food from the produce section, organic as much as possible, and nuts and seeds. Avoid gluten if you are sensitive to it. The nervous system requires calcium and B vitamins to work properly. The Relax-Eze formula is a wonderful supplement for the nervous system. Individual nervine herbs of valerian, skullcap, chamomile, or kava kava can be very helpful for rebuilding the nerves. Another help would be the Herbal Calcium formula to provide the building blocks for calcium the body can use. 

There are many herbs that can help with mental well being. I always recommend the MindTrac formula. Herbs to strengthen the endocrine system are always helpful because this is where hormones are made in the body. When the glands are functioning properly the hormones will come into balance. Adaptogens are helpful for this. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, schizandra, and ginseng are some examples of adaptogens that can help with the endocrine system. The Glandular System formula and the formulas specific to glandular weakness should be considered such as the Adrenal formula, the Thyroid Maintenance formula, or the Hormonal Changease formula. 

There are also some self help tools available online and in books to help overcome negative thinking and negative emotional states. 

Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol Truman is a book that has tools to help overcome negative thinking and to help release negative thoughts. One of the first things the author suggests working on is the thought pattern of not liking yourself. She has you work on this belief before anything else. Can you guess why?

EFT is another tool you can use on your own to release negative thoughts and behaviors. Gary Craig originated this technique. It stands for Emotional Freedom Technique and is often called tapping. Gary Craig and Nick Ortner both have resources online that can be accessed easily. There are many instructional YouTube videos teaching this technique for free. 

The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson is a tool to release trapped emotions in the body which can cause physical symptoms. You can learn it on your own or find a practitioner that is efficient in the technique who can help. 

These are a few tools and modalities that are very helpful for emotional and mental issues that can be done on your own or with the help of a qualified practitioner. 

Compassion for others is lacking in our world today. A wise man that once walked the earth taught us to love others and that peace begins with you. Let us always remember that there are people out there that need a cup of kindness and that is free to give to anyone. 

Elecampane

 Elecampane

Inula helenium

Jo Francks MH

When looking for an effective herb to treat lung problems, consider elecampane. It has a long history of treating various illnesses in the pulmonary system including asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. It can be used alone or in combination with other herbs for the lungs such as horehound, mullein or wild cherry bark. It’s a good herb to use at the first sign of a cough, runny nose, sore throat or sinus infection.

Elecampane’s medicinal properties are in the root and rhizome and it can contain up to 40% of inulin, a substance that will feed the friendly bacteria in the colon. Elecampane helps with all pulmonary and catarrhal problems. Its sodium phosphate cleans the liver and digestive organs, the potassium chloride dissolves the fibrinous exudations and mucoid matter, and its calcium chlorine supports, feeds and tones the heart muscles. 

It is a stimulant, a relaxant, and a tonic to the mucous membrane, a warming strengthening cleansing and toning agent to the intestinal tract and pulmonary membranes. Because of its powerful healing action and efficient expectoration of pulmonary mucus, some herbalists have considered it a specific remedy for consumption and pulmonary disorders. It promptly clears up old chronic diseases of the lungs and chest.

Elecampane has antimicrobial properties making it effective against viral, fungal or bacterial infections.

Elecampane is often used for digestive problems, especially since it has such a high level of inulin. This makes it helpful when trying to balance gut bacteria. It will help slow down absorption of sugar to prevent sudden changes in blood sugar levels. It also helps to decrease inflammation in the intestines, lungs, and elsewhere in the body.