Herbs in Charity

Herbal Treatments
Years ago I was out in the Bush areas. Ready access to medications was not always possible, and the people of the area trusted in herbal treatments. I became fascinated by herbal lore. Instead of purchasing aspirin, the people made a drink from willow bark. This drink was made from the Salix alba tree. Interestingly, the active ingredient of the bark - called salicin - was isolated to its crystalline form in 1828 by Henry Leroux, a French Pharmacist, and Raffaele Piria, an Italian Chemist, who then succeeded in separating out the acid in its pure state. Aspirin is a chemical derivative of salicin!

Phytotherapy
I then learned that the heart medication digitalis originated from the herb foxglove. And that the pain reliever morphine came from the poppy. My interest now fairly caught, I studied herbs and received my Diploma in Practical Phytotherapy. Working in the Squatter camps, I became aware of the fact that there were no shops where residents could purchase food, medications or necessities (as well as very little money). However, the squatter camp residents both grew and picked herbs from the fields, and healthful meals were made and eaten. Garlic, Rosemary and Thyme gave great flavour to the meals, and had the added benefit of boosting health.

Lavender 
Skin care products were made from lavender and perfumed the shanties. Potpourri shifted in saucers in the breeze through shanty windows, the rose petals giving out fragrance. Herbal sachets freshened the shanty linen.
Some of the shanty dwellers were able to make medications that saved lives. And health was boosted by the traditional drink of the San Bushmen, the famous Rooibos tea (red bush tea). 
Necrotic sores were cured with comfrey ointment. Simple herbs from God's Garden (as the locals used to call them) made the dwellers' lives healthier and happier in the absence of wealth and resources.
I learned much from the people, and am still unable to walk past wild greenery without mentally noting the lush plantain, dock leaves, stinging nettles and dandelions that grow in profusion.

Herbs
Lumiere Charity will be publishing a series of blog posts with interesting information on Herbs.
There are many uses you can put herbs to in Charity. Among them are fundraisers, selling herbal items such as potpourri in sachets with ribbons sewn on the top.It is also very helpful to have a knowledge of herbs, because sometimes you may find yourself in an outpost with no recourse to a hospital or shop. Having a good grasp of herbal treatments will help you in your work. 
One time I found knowledge of herbs, their effects and interactions helpful was as I was working in Charity.A gentleman had recurring haemmorhages with no known explanation. He happened to mention that when he had pain, he would drink a tincture made by a friend from a tree down the road. Upon my enquiry, it turned out that the tree was the willow bark - and the strength they were making the tea was about ten times the normal strength. The gentleman's mysterious symptoms healed almost immediately when he stopped the incorrect use of the willow bark tea. It must be noted that aspirin - when used too long, or incorrectly - can cause bleeding.
So; a good knowledge of herbs can really come in handy at times!
Enjoy the herb posts!

Salix alba http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salix_alba

Rooibos tea (red bush tea) http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.ie/2010/04/many-health-benefits-of-rooibos-tea.html
http://www.taste-africa.com/product_organic_bushtea.php

Phytotherapy http://phytotherapists.org/about.php 

Rose (Rosa) - Herb of the Year http://www.iherb.org/hoy2012.htm

Phytotherapy http://herbalpractitionerssa.co.za/?page_id=71

Comfrey http://www.lilyfarmfreshskincare.com/index.php/comfrey-organic-skin-care/

With thanks to Wikipedia, inhumanexperiment, taste-africa.com, phytotherapists.org, iherb.org, herbalpractitionerssa, lilyfarmfreshskincare

Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Health Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional care