Lesson 3.1
How Herbs Function in the Body
Try the below exercise with yourself or a friend. Although there are only three questions, this exercise is designed to give you a glimpse into your client’s mindset around health and disease, willingness to use a natural health approach, and their level of readiness with trying new modalities, products, or lifestyle changes.
Health Interview Prompts
On a scale of 1-10, how effective do you think herbs are in treating disease?
What is a health concern (or goal) you have that you would like to address with herbs?
Have you tried an alternative remedy so far? Did you have success?
What is the biggest concern you feel is holding you back from becoming well?
You’d be surprised at all of the information that can flow from these simple questions. Your job will be to listen and listen some more. There is almost always pertinent information hidden in the details.
Biological Processes of Herbs
Herbs affect the body on a cellular level due to their rich makeup of phytochemicals, the biologically active compounds present in plants. In the body, these compounds perform specific actions that trigger a subsequent reaction in one or more of the body systems. There may be hundreds of different properties/actions in just one herb! Therefore, as Herbalist, you will rely on knowing which phytochemicals are predominant in an herb, so that you will know which action(s) the herb is likely to have.
The herb’s chemicals work by altering the body’s cellular composition to bring the body into balance, or homeostasis. As beautifully as herbs work, they are not all created equally.
When a phytochemical contains toxins in large enough amounts, those phytochemicals become toxic to us as well. As you begin to study the Materia medica, you will notice that some herbs have a narrow safety margin that either guides the user to consume the herb under strict professional guidance or not at all, as some plants are toxic to pets and/or humans in any amount.
Here is a list of toxic herbs that should generally be avoided. It applies to both the herbal and essential oil forms of the plant. Please keep in mind that some of these herbs may be safe when used topically or in small amounts. This list is not exhaustive, so be sure to research any herb you plan to use so you are aware of any potential dangers.
Herbs generally considered toxic:
Arnica (use topically or in homeopathic remedies only)
Belladonna
Bittersweet
Bryony
Chaparral
Comfrey (use topically only)
European Pennyroyal
Foxglove
Indian Snakeroot (use in small amounts)
Ipecac
Jimsonweed
Lily of the Valley
Mandrake
Mayapple
Mistletoe
Pennyroyal
Pheasant’s eye
Poke root
Squill
