Re: Why no herbs? (was: Re: Re: Tea -Chamomile)

[Guest guest]

At 10:04 AM 9/28/2009, you wrote:

Some herbs are supremely useful

and helpful, yes, including for people with IBDs. I routinely use an

herbal preparation for asthma (which I did long before I started on the

the SCD), and which I know is very helpful -- I know that from stopping

it when I've run out a couple of times and observing how I became short

of breath. That is far preferable, in my view, to using a steroid inhaler

more frequently (though LDN is now helping my asthma even more). And I do

use herbs for other necessary purposes. I can't say that I've found any

of the herbs I've used have any impact whatsoever on my gut -- as long as

they aren't accompanied by any sugars, or other illegal

stuff.

Since I have been studying herbs for around 37 years, and making many of

my own herbal preparations, including a dynamite " bruise juice "

that was in demand by members of the Society for Creative Anachronism,

yes, herbs have plenty of uses. And not just for cooking.

The problem lies in the fact that we are trying to eliminate all manner

of " stuff " and then gradually add it back in.

BTVC would about six times the size it is, if not more, if Elaine had

tried to include a chemical analysis of every food, herb, and spice in

it, along with all the possible side effects. Heaven alone knows what

size it would be if she had tried to include every possible interaction

of every herb, spice and food on every type of individual.

The PROBLEM is that there are many herbs which are

" traditionally " used for gut issues which, when analyzed from a

scientific standpoint, within the SCD framework, are absolutely

contraindicated.

One example of this is slippery elm and/or marsh mallow. Both these are

recommended to soothe the gut. Both these mucilaginous herbs contain

major polysaccharides which may provide temporary soothing, but which

will ultimately continue to feed the bad bacteria and prevent us from

getting well.

Another example is echinacea, which is an immune system booster. Great,

so here someone is, take Remicade at mega-thousands an infusion, and

then, without understanding how echinacea works, starts taking echinacea

for their IBD, and then they go and cancel out the Remicade with a herbal

prep costing a few bucks.

Consider the recent discussion of cloves. Here's something I found on

Grieve's Herbal (a reference I used for many years in hard

form).

The most stimulating and carminative of all aromatics; given in powder

or infusion for nausea emesis, flatulence, languid indigestion and

dyspepsia, and used chiefly to assist the action of other medicines. The

medicinal properties reside in the volatile oil. The oil must be kept in

dark bottles in a cool place. If distilled with water, salt must be added

to raise the temperature of ebullition and the same Cloves must be

distilled over and over again to get their full essence.

The oil is frequently adulterated with fixed oil and oil of Pimento and

Copaiba. As a local irritant it stimulates peristalsis. It is a strong

germicide, a powerful antiseptic, a feeble local anaesthetic applied to

decayed teeth, and has been used with success as a stimulating

expectorant in phthisis and bronchial troubles. Fresh infusion of Cloves

contains astringent matter as well as the volatile oil. The infusion and

Clove water are good vehicles for alkalies and aromatics.

Clove may be good for purposes of a germicide. But take a GOOD look

at one phrase: " As a local irritant it stimulates

peristalsis. "

Great. So here we are with IBD, and we're gonna take something to

irritate our poor guts. Clove tea MIGHT help get rid of some candida, but

taken as a medicine, it could also throw our poor guts into spasms and

flares.

If someone has a specific herb they want researched, I'll be glad to give

it a go, and give people my personal opinions, as I did with the

chamomile/camomile.

I don't discount the uses of herbs, far from it.

But the parameters of SCD are what they are for reasons which make sound

scientific sense. And I've learned, over eight years, that Elaine Was

Right.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund