Instructor: Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Discover the healing benefits of herbal medicine and further your knowledge of holistic health. This course is an introduction to the realm of plant medicine. Topics covered include: science based theory, safety, traditional use, first aid application and home application of common local plants. Learn to identify and recognize common local medicinal plants, master techniques of blending medicinal teas, prepare herbal salves and herbal vinegars and gain confidence to use herbal medicine for common health complaints. Acquire the practical knowledge of herbal medicine through a hands-on approach of integrating herbal medicine use into your home. Time will be spent learning 10 herbs in detail. For general interest and for professionals desiring an introductory course on plant based medicine.

Time: 10-4 pm Cost: $ 159.00

Course Dates: 1 weekend / Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6, 2010

Location: Langara College # 100- West 49 Avenue Vancouver

To Register Call: Langara College Continuing Studies at 604-323-5322 or 604-323-5918

Course Number: 60126

Instructor Profile: Katolen Yardley, MNIMH is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. Owner of Alchemy & Elixir Health Group and Wellness Centre in Vancouver, she has been in the Holistic Health field since 1993, with over 8 years of clinical experience. Since 1998, Katolen appears monthly on Global Television morning news, where she offers herbal information to the public. She has been a guest teacher at Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, has presented at global conferences and appeared in print in numerous journals and health magazines. Katolen’s personal interest in health lies with the emotional connection to wellness and dis-ease, nervous system disorders and women’s health issues. She believes in providing usable tools for healing through inspiration and education.

For more information visit:

www.alchemyelixir.com

 www.katolenyardley.com

Written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Herbal medicine offers invaluable aid for chronic digestive disorders as well as common symptoms of overeating including heart burn, indigestion, cramping and bloating. As most herbal medicines are taken orally, they come into direct contact with the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, offering quick relief. Herbal medicines offer gentle, non-habit forming alternatives to over-the-counter and prescription medications and are suitable for long term aid. The medical actions of herbs are often categorized into groups according to their therapeutic action.

Digestive stimulants help to increase or improve digestive activities. Two of the main categories of stimulant herbs are bitters and hepatics (herbs which support the liver). Bitters have been used traditionally, sipped before meals. Herbal bitters act to stimulate the release of gastric juice and digestive enzymes for optimal digestion. They also help to increase appetite. Bitters have a general tonic action on digestion, stimulating the body’s self repair mechanisms. Some bitter herbs include wormwood, centaury, yarrow and gentian. Bitter herbs are consumed in small amounts and should not be ingested in conditions of excess stomach acid or ulcers. Hepatics are herbs that strengthen tone and support the liver. The liver is our primary organ for cleansing and detoxification, facilitating the deactivation of hormones, drugs, food additives and pollutants. The liver is involved in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is also involved in both the synthesis of cholesterol and its breakdown into bile salts. In addition, the liver provided storage for fat soluble vitamins. Examples of Hepatic herbs include: dandelion root, wild yam root, yellow dock root.

Digestive Relaxants, in contrast, help to reduce over-activity and relax tissues. These herbs are used in a clinic environment to reduce bloating and stomach distension. Carminative herbs are plants that contain volatile oils, the component of the plant that imparts the familiar fragrant/aromatic scent associated with many dried herbs. Their main action in digestion is to soothe and settle the gut wall, ease cramping and expel wind from the stomach and intestines, while providing gentle anti spasmodic properties. Some common carminative herbs containing a characteristic scent include caraway seed, fennel seed, peppermint leaf, ginger root and anise seed.

Herbal medicines are gentle and ideal for incorporating into one’s daily routine. Digestive herbs can be used in either tea or tincture form. An adult general dosage for herbal teas is 1 tsp. of the herb for every cup of boiled water, steeped for 15 minutes; 3-4 cups daily will provide a medicinal dose. When using tinctures, the dosage varies depending upon the herbs used. A standard adult dose is generally 2-3 ml taken 2-3 times daily.

Katolen Yardley, MNIMH is a Medical Herbalist in private practice at Alchemy & Elixir Health Group in Vancouver, BC. www.alchemyelixir.com or www.katolenyardley.com 

 ~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Optimal nutrition and herbal medicine can play a role in minimizing adverse menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, play a role in prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis, lessen vaginal dryness and support the nervous system for insomnia, headaches and depression.

Healthy Nutrition through Menopause

1. Consume whole foods: fresh fruit and vegetables (6-8 servings daily), legumes, whole grains (such as brown rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, spelt) and water.

2. Don’t skip meals.

3. Consume animal products in moderation, emphasizing free-range non-medicated chicken and cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, halibut, herring, sardines) and ensure adequate vegetable protein intake throughout the day.

4. Increase consumption of phytoestrogenic foods, vegetable proteins, seaweeds and home sprouted seeds and legumes (alfalfa, mung beans, fenugreek, sunflower, adzuki sprouts), which provide the body with phytoestrogens, chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids and easily digested protein.

5. Lower consumption of dairy products while replacing with other high calcium foods

6. Avoid alcohol, black tea, chocolate, coffee and other caffeinated products.

7. Avoid salt, refined sugar and processed packaged foods which all put additional stress on the liver, affecting normal hormone clearance and elimination, aggravating both hot flushes and frequent urination. These foods also make the blood more acidic, prompting the release of calcium from our bones to act as a buffering agent; increasing the excretion of calcium in the urine (and a loss of calcium in the bones).

8. Flax seed meal (freshly ground) in a smoothie or sprinkled over cereal will provide excess fiber for healthy bowel function and to help absorb estrogen metabolites in the stool to ensure adequate clearance out of the body. Alternatively use 2 tblsp whole flax seeds soaked in 1 cup water, covered, overnight and add into a smoothie.

9. Consume foods known to support liver function: beets, artichokes, watercress, burdock (gobo), dandelion greens and dandelion coffee, turmeric, and garlic.

Herbal Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms can assist with:

1. hot flushes and night sweats
2. flooding
3. depression and fatigue
4. headaches
5. insomnia, anxiety and stress related conditions
6. memory and concentration enhancement
7. heart palpitations and elevated blood pressure
8. urinary frequency
9. peace of mind and improved quality of life

For health program (and custom blended plant medicine) tailored to your specific health concerns during menopause, consider booking a clinic appointment. To read the complete article written by Katolen Yardley on herbal medicine and women’s health (including fertility, PMS, and hormonal imbalances) click here…

Katolen Yardley, MNIMH is a Medical Herbalist, specializing in Western and European Herbal Medicine, with clinical experience since 1995. Her personal interest in health lies with the emotional connection to wellness and dis-ease. Her private practice specializes in women’s health issues, skin dis-ease, digestive and nervous system disorders and believes in providing usable tools for the client taking responsibility for his or her own health. If you are wanting a personalised health program designed for your and your unique health history, then email us or call us at 604-683-2298 to set up your clinic appointment.

Written by Klaus Ferlow, HMH, Honorary Master Herbalist

Growing up in Northern Germany “country style”, I quickly developed a love for the bounties of MOTHER NATURE especially berries, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

The value of herbs to our lives and to our health cannot be overstated, since our ancestors first walked the earth, herbs have formed the basis of medicine chests, cosmetics bowls, culinary spice jars, perfume vials and dye pots. Most herbs in their natural state are safe, and do not leave a residue in the body that could produce negative side effects. Drugs tend to treat or mask the symptoms or condition, while herbals emphasize a preventative approach to healthcare helping to balance and support the bodily functions. The compounds in herbs work synergistically in the body to promote healing. All plants have therapeutic properties as they contain a variety of biologically active substances. Plants undergo photosynthesis, transforming carbon dioxide into energy rich substances. The resulting carbon chains are further transformed into a variety of compounds such as lipids, alkaloids, essential oils and tannins. Through other biochemical processes, minerals and nitrates are absorbed by the roots and transformed into vitamins, trace minerals and antibiotics.

Herbs can affect biological systems in our bodies at the cellular level. Ultimately these high levels of biologically active substances can produce pharmacological and therapeutic affects. The nutritional value of herbs is high and organically grown herbs (no herbicide and pesticide spraying and chemical fertilizer) offer maximum benefits.

Herbs are extensively used in cosmetics, (there is a growing demand for TOXIN free medicinal herbal and personal care products worldwide) herbal creams & ointments, lotions, shampoos, toothpastes, soaps, oils, tinctures, sprays and in cooking. The multitude of uses for herbs as foods, medicines and in products emphasizes how vital botanical plants are to our health and well being. Unfortunately, as the Pharmaceutical industry developed the ability to synthesize medicine from the inert substances such as petroleum and minerals, and developing sophisticated marketing strategies, the therapeutic use of natural herbs diminished and was almost lost, especially in North America.

Recently however, there has been a resurgence of interest in herbs and healing. As people begin to lose faith in prescription drugs and antibiotics, they are rediscovering that herbs and herbal remedies and products are an effective and comparatively inexpensive form of healthcare. Herbal medicine represents a particular approach to healing which differs from allopathic medicine. Rather than relieving a single symptom with single active ingredient, herbs offer a holistic approach by striving to deal with the entire system and treating the cause.

Herbal medicine can only be truly holistic if it acknowledges the social and cultural context in which the illnesses occurred, and then the desired healing takes place. (Body, Mind & Spirit). According to Chris Kilham, the medicine hunter, www.medicinehunter.com over five billion people today are still using herbal remedies for healing! The renewed interest in holistic medicine, as well as a great number of traditional therapies, has encouraged changes within the existing medical profession. Given the severe financial crisis of our medical system (many professional predict a collapse within 5 – 10 years) it is incumbent upon us all to seek out and utilize appropriate health alternatives.

Let me quote you from the “Pocket Herbal Reference Guide”, by Debbra St.Clair, MH (Master Herbalist):

“The art of pharmacy turned to the production of drugs which could bring the quickest relief of symptoms, ignoring the reason that the symptoms appeared. As we look back perhaps it is time to reconsider the path. The use of substances has spawned a myriad of unexpected problems, such as suppression of the very signals that our bodies produce to alert us to a need of change. Pain itself is a call to action – a call to remedy and in balance in our lifestyle. The proficient use of herbal therapy is directly connected to our ability to sense that first signal and to adjust our lifestyle accordingly. It is when these signals are continually ignored that disease has a chance to seat itself more deeply within our bodies. The appropriate use of herbs is one of many health alternatives to our medical system.”

And remember: For every disease we know, Mother Earth provides a herb to grow. Those who do not spend time every day on health, will sacrifice one day a lot of time for illness, since HEALTH IS WEALTH!

Words of Wisdom “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in care of the human frame, in diet, the cause and PREVENTION of disease.” Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931)

References: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, alive books The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook, James A. Duke, Ph.D. Prescription for Natural Healing, James F. Balch, M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. Indian Herbalogy of North America, Alma R. Hutchens The Herb Book, John Lust Herbs: Wonder Healers, Dr. Bernard Jensen, DC, Ph.D. The Secret Life of Plants, Peter Tompkins & Christopher Bird

Author, Klaus Ferlow, HMH, is an innovator, lecturer, researcher and writer. President, founder and co-owner of FERLOW BOTANICALS, Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., founded 1975 manufacturing/distributing organic toxin-free (zero-harm) medicinal herbal and personal care products to professional health & wellness practitioners and selected stores with holistic practitioners on staff in Canada and parts of USA since 1993. President of the “Hearts to Health Foundation” and Board member of Health Action Network, Burnaby, B.C. Copyright, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. HMH = Honorary Master Herbalist. Dominion Herbal College, Burnaby, B.C., est. 1926,

His educational articles have been published in Health Magazines, Women’s Magazines, Newspapers, Newsletters in Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and numerous websites around the world.

This information is offered for its educational value only and should not be used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease, contact your health care practitioner.

~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Alfalfa leaves, the latin name being Medicago sativa, is a plant origionally native to asia, but now is found growing abundantly throughout the world. Alfalfa is rich in isoflavone properties, coumarins, sterols, rich in enzymes including amylase, lipase and protase, containing Vitamin A, C, D, B6, and vitamin K and is said to contain 10 times more mineral value than the average grain.

Used traditionally as a tonic herb, meaning an herb which can be used long term to help build and strengthen the whole body and has often been used for conditions of wasting (anorexia) and a lack of vitality. Known as a support for both mental and physical wellbeing.

Traditionally used as a tea to promote strong bones and help rebuild decaying teeth. Rich in chlorophyll, alfalfa can be combined with the herbs: horsetail, nettle leaf and red clover for connective tissue support and is often used in conditions of arthritis. 

Known as a galactagogue, Alfalfa can be drunk as a tea to help increase the flow of breast milk in new mothers.

A gentle cleanser, Alfalfa has gentle diuretic and laxative properties and holds healing properties for digestive distress.

Due to its blood thinning properties, consult an herbal practitioner prior to using Alfalfa if using Statin medications or are taking blood thinners.

The dried herb, or leaves of alfalfa can be prepared as a tea through making an infusion and ingested, or used as a poultice or skin wash externally for the healing of wounds and abscesses.

 ~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Interested in creating a natural First Aid Kit for the summer months? Here are some MUST HAVE traditional herbal remedies to include in your first aid kit!

Natural insect repellents: Lavender, Tea Tree and Citronella Essential Oils all have insect repellent properties. For more information on using and applying essential oils click here.

A Sunburn Spritzer: dilute Lavender and Peppermint Essential oils (using 3-4 drops each) in ½ cup of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz over the burning skin frequently, then liberally apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn. For another recipe click here.

Minor kitchen or barbeque burns and scalds: Cool the burn with cold water then apply pure Lavender essential oil. Lavender works like magic for preventing blisters and minimising scarring of the burned area. Apply it directly to the skin frequently throughout the day.

Bites and Stings: A bee sting can be washed with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), or baking soda can be applied as a paste (mix with water) to the bite. The herb Plantain can be prepared as a tea, strained and used as a skin wash or a poultice for helping to ‘pull out’ venom from the bite. For instructions on preparing a poultice, click here.

Lavender Essential Oil applied to insect bites is cooling and helps to relieve inflammation caused by bites and stings; its antiseptic properties help to combat infection and of course its calming effects will assist with symptoms of shock and trauma.

Motion sickness and travel sickness: For people on-the-go consider using ginger capsules or prepare ginger root tea to help settle the stomach.

Poison Ivy: Try not to scratch, as it will worsen itch. Apply aloe vera gel to the area, bathe the affected area in apple cider vinegar diluted with water and apply Lavender Essential oil to the affected skin.

Minor cuts and scrapes: Marigold cream is used to promote healing and prevent infection from minor cuts, scrapes and open wounds, an excellent first aid treatment.

Arnica Cream applied frequently to problem areas for bruising, local inflammation and athletic injuries.

Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent topical application for sunburn.

Plantar warts: Zap Away Essential Oil Blend, contains potent antiviral essential oils Cinnamon, Tea Tree and Lemon. Protect the healthy skin with cream before applying this essential oil directly to the wart. Keep away from the eyes and do not ingest. Traditional Home Remedies for stubborn warts include: applying the milk from the fresh Dandelion stem directly to the warts. Home Remedies for plantar warts: apply and tape crushed garlic or the peel of a ripe banana to the problem area, replacing daily or use a mixture of castor oil blended with baking soda applied to the growths for several months, may help clear up the issue.

 ~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

Spring is the time to harvest nettles, always an adventure in maneuvering between those unassuming young nettle shoots, with leaves so fresh and lush and just so innocent looking in their growth. I remember -an understatement -from experience, the importance of wearing thick gloves, heavy jeans and long socks, socks that cover the ankles entirely, lest the sting of the nettle leaf should find its way the minutest area of open skin creating immediate swelling, tingling and numbness…Nettle Rash…ahhh yes, the joys of harvesting fresh herbs…  

Not a pleasant experience, but one which I have embraced through my hands-on work with plant medicine. In my experience, the topical reaction from fresh nettle leaves will last anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days -depending upon the surface area and intensity of the sting.  As with all of my personal experiences with plant medicine, this is yet another learning experience and I remember citations from ancient herbal texts traditionally using Nettles leaves to relieve the pain of arthritic joints, a procedure administered by brushing fresh nettle leaves topically over arthritic joints, producing a ‘counter irritation’ to help temporarily eliminate the pain of arthritic joints - would it work? Yes! Would it be pleasant? NO!!

You might ask, why go through the trouble to harvest a plant covered with such unpleasant stinging hairs? Well… overlooking the immediate discomfort of possible (and likely) skin-to-skin contact with fresh nettle leaves. The fresh shoots and stalk, when picked in the spring make a delicious vegetable, that can be steamed like spinach (and seasoned with braggs amino acids or lemon juice) or can simply added into soups, omletes and quiche. The sting of the hairs is de activated when cooked, steeped as a tea or when dried, thus fresh nettle leaves can be conveniently made into tea and also eaten safely, once cooked. As the plant matures, the older leaves and stalk become very woody and are not as tasty, thus to be ingested as food, the nettle leaves needs to be picked when the leaves and stalk are young, ideally harvested from shoots no larger than one foot out of the ground.

Traditionally Stinging Nettle (Latin: Urtica dioica) is known as a master plant, as the saying goes… “if you don’t know what else to do for a health condition, then use nettles”. Known as an alterative herb, or blood cleanser, Nettle leaf gradually supports the return of optimal health of the whole body, improving the body’s ability to eliminate waste matter, tonifying the tissues and organs, while providing the body with essential nutrients for vitality.

Nettle leaf is a blood purifier which supports the function of the liver and kidneys and provides support for all stubborn skin conditions such as teenage acne, psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. It combines well with Red Clover, Cleavers and Burdock root for skin ailments or can be purchased, mixed in our Clean Green Herbal Tea Blend used for cleansing and detoxification.

An excellent source of chlorophyll and packed full of minerals including vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium and silica. Nettle leaf is an excellent addition to the diet for conditions of anemia and depletion and can be consumed internally as a tonic herb for long periods of time for individuals who are recovering from a long illness.

An anti inflammatory and containing anti histamine properties, nettle is often used in combination with other herbs such for seasonal allergies, to alleviate the itching and irritation of hives and itching skin.

A gentle diuretic and mineral rich anti inflammatory herb, Nettle leaf can offer benefit for symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. Useful for clearing uric acid buildup from the body, Nettle leaves can also be ingested for symptoms of gout.

The root of stinging nettle root is used medicinally for urinary disorders associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including nocturia, frequency, dysuria, urinary retention, and irritable bladder. 

As a topical application, stinging nettle leaf can be brewed as a tea, strained, and then used as a scalp rinse for promoting healthy hair, treating seborrhea, oily hair, and hair loss (alopecia).

A great herb for women’s health, nettle contains properties used to decrease internal bleeding and traditionally is used with Red Raspberry leaf for heavy menstruation, drank as a mineral rich nourishing tea during pregnancy and consumed as a galactagogue (which promotes the flow of breast milk in breastfeeding mothers).

Like most herbal teas, any leftover cold tea can be fed to both house plants or garden plants to help them grow, trust me, they will show their appreciation the next day by showing off their extra shiny leaves.

 For a refreshing tea blend, combine nettle leaf with some peppermint leaf and just a pinch of stevia leaves. Steep for 15 minutes, strain and enjoy 3 + cups daily as a general adult dose.

To purchase dried Nettle Leaves click here!

For more reading on the Stinging Nettle plant, visit the HerbMed site and insert ‘Nettles’ into the search engine at the bottom of the page.

 ~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

So you are interested in incorporating plant medicine into your lifestyle and are wondering where to begin…

For individuals who are just beginning to use herbs medicinally; preparing and drinking herbal teas are excellent first steps in familiarizing oneself with plant medicine.

When preparing an herbal tea for medicinal use, there are two types of preparations: infusions and decoctions.

Herbal Infusions

Herbal Infusions are similar to preparing a pot of earl grey tea. Simply pour boiling water over the herbs and steep, strain and drink. This process is used for preparing the more delicate and aromatic parts of a plant, such as the flowers, leaves, fruit, and aromatic seeds. An infusion is best when preparing an herbal tea for its high nutritional (mineral and vitamin) content.

General Adult Dosage: The general measurement for an adult when preparing herbal teas is 1 tsp. of the herb for every cup of water, steep for 15 minutes, strain then drink 3-4 cups of the tea daily.

Method 1. Place the herbs in a container with a tight fitting lid and pour freshly boiled water over the herbs. Cover the container and allow it to steep for 10-20 minutes. The length of sitting time depends upon the chemical constituents in the plant.

Method 2. Let the tea steep overnight and reheat in the morning. Never use a microwave to heat the water or reheat a tea, instead gently reheat on the stove. Storing the tea in the fridge and reheating or storing in a thermos in a convenient way of keeping the tea hot for hours.

Herbal Decoctions

Decoctions are generally used for the extraction of chemicals from heavier plant material (roots, barks, nuts, and non-aromatic seeds). A decoction is more concentrated than an infusion and used to pull out mineral salts and bitter principles of the plants.

Method 1. Bring the water to a boil, add the herbs, cover and simmer gently over low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and drink.

Method 2. Add the herbs to cold water, place over low heat and slowly bring to a boil. Simmer gently over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, keeping the lid on. These herbs can be reused 2 or 3 times before discarding.

Important Tip: Always use glass or enamel containers and do not use microwaves, aluminum or cast iron pots as they will affect the quality and effectiveness of the prepared medicine.

For more information on herbal medicine, preparation and home use visit my website by clicking here and for ongoing encouragement, health tips, recipes and up to date information on herbal medicine, sign up for my newsletter Taking Charge of Your Health.

For individuals inclined to avoid all those anonymous ingredients NOT listed in commercial toothpaste, here is a simple recipe which provides cleaning power with anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties for healthy gums.

• Baking Soda     -2 parts
• Licorice Powder - 1 part
• Peppermint Essential Oil - 3 drops
• Myrrh gum Powder - 1/2 part
• Comfrey Root Powder - 1 part
• Plantain Leaf Powder - 1 part
• Green Clay Powder - 2 parts
• Sea Salt -1/2 part

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Drop in the essential oil, mixing well. Label. Store in an airtight container away from direct heat. Sprinkle powder onto a wet toothbrush and brush teeth as usual.

For more information on herbal medicine, preparation and home use visit my website by clicking here and for ongoing encouragement, health tips, recipes and up to date information on herbal medicine, sign up for my newsletter Taking Charge of Your Health.

A great way to enliven dry skin, try these simple yet effecting facial masks.

1. Add 1/3 cup fresh parsley, a handful of fresh peppermint leaves and honey into a blender. Mix in enough water (or used chlorophyll liquid instead) to form a thick paste. Apply to the skin as a mask, avoiding the eyes. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing.

2. Peel a ripe avocado and mash till smooth. Apply to the skin. Leave on for 15 minutes. Avocado in rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients of benefit for dry skin. Rinse off, leaving your skin soft, smooth and supple.

Cover your eyes with chilled, sliced cucumber for a soothing effect.