Romani Roots

Healing Herbalism

DISCLAIMER

This page has been reproduced by kind permission of the author who has undergone natural and structured education in Herbalism and has successfully completed a course in Aromatherapy and its uses in massage.

The author wishes it to be known that their education in these areas has been of a GENERAL nature - dealing with various body parts and in conjunction with Chakras and Crystals. Therefore, because the education is of a GENERAL manner, further investigation is required when dealing with SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS, and Doctors advice should be sort before adminstering ANY Herbal Rememdies!

Although the author has no formal qualifications in these subjects, the education they recieved was with qualified teachers in both the professional and non-professional fields.

We strongly advise those who wish to pursue this subject to any greater degree first seek guidance and gain the relevant qualifications before administering to the public!

Romani Roots is not responsible for any misuse or misappropriation of the information held within this article.

The author would like it made clear that although thier written compositions may have been published on other websites, they are not affiliated to, are in no way connected to, not members of or involved in the adminstration of, those sites.

ROMANI ROOTS MAKES NO CLAIM TO THE ORIGIN OF HERBALISM OR ITS ASSOCIATED FIELDS AND FULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DIFFERENT BELIEFS EXIST . THEREFORE WE DO NOT CONDONE OR CONDEM ANY BELIEFS CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE.

A History of Herbalism

The first known written record of herbs was from a Sumerian herbalist of
2200 BC.

The Greek doctor Hippocrates listed 400 herbs/plants being used in the 5th
century BC, and Dioscorides, in the first century AD, had written about 600
herbs/plants which became the basis for many later works.

The most popular herbal writings ever was written by Culpeper in the 17th
century.

During the Dark Ages, superstition and belief gave magical properties to
herbs and rituals were devised to preserve the mystery and magic.

Man has also been aware of the effects of scent on the body, mind and
emotion from the beginning of civilization. Flowers were used to attract
love, food and protection. Fragrant herbs/plants were worn to heal the body.
The expensive plants/herbs/flowers were offered to gods and goddesses as
sacrifices, and the use of aromatic incense is recorded from the beginning
of history.

Worldwide, from ancient to modern times, different cultures have found uses
for herbs and oils, and myths, legends, folklore and medicines reflect
this.

From the Aborigine to the Mauri, from the Buddhist monk to Native American
Medicine man, from the Chinese Herbalist Doctor to the Western Alternative
Practitioners - plants, flowers and herbs are used to heal the sick, be it in
mind, body or soul.

Romani Herbalism

We, the Romani, have always had our own practitioner of natural remedies -
Patrinyengro/ Patrinyengri - often a wise woman of the tribe, taught from
childhood by the previous patrinyengri, and replaced them when they passed.
It was she who would offer herbals remedies for the entire body, physical,
emotionally and spiritually.

SO THIS IS THE HEALING Art OF HERBS - were physical,
psychological, emotional and spiritual ailments are healed
with teas, balms, oitments, and massage used in conjunction or combined
help deliver relief to those suffering, in what ever way they may suffer.

Herbal Safety

When taking any Herb it is important to remember the old addage "KILL OR CURE"!

Please consult a Doctor for possible contra-indications, allergenc reactions and/or if you are currently taking medication BEFORE embarking on any natural remedies - as they may cause illness/injury,interfere with the medication or aggravate some medications or medical conditions!

If you are pregnant certain herbs cannot be used, except in the case of cooking flavours, as they cause bleeding and contractions:

THYME, TARRAGON, SORREL, SAVORY, SAGE, ROSEMARY, PARSLEY SEEDS, OREGANO, LOVAGE, LAVENDER, LADY'S MANTLE, JUNIPER, HYSSOP, HOREHOUND, FENUGREEK, FENNEL, CLARY SAGE, CALENDULA (by mouth), BASIL, ANGELICA, ALOE VERA (by mouth), ANGUS CASTUS.

If you take any prepared herbs by mouth:

Age: Babies NOT UNDER 1YR and below 5yrs - TEAS ONLY 1 teaspoon / 5ml x 3 daily. Child 5yrs to 9yrs - Only one quater of an Adult dose. Child 9yrs to 14yrs - Half the Adult dose. Over 70yrs - Half the Adult dose.

Adult dose 14yrs to 69yrs: Teas - one mug x 3 daily. Decotion - 2 fl ozs / 50ml x 3 daily. Tincture - 20 drops in water daily. Syrup - 2 teaspoons / 10ml x 3 daily.

Herbal Teas

To make 1 large mug of herbal tea:

1 teaspoon dried/ 2 teaspoons fresh herbs.

9 fl oz/ 250ml boiling water

Please remember in volume FRESH HERBS x 2 = DRIED HERBS x 1

You can use a special tea infuser, available from larger herbalist and alternative medicine outlets but a small teapot will suffice or if you prefer just add the herbs straight to the cup! But always pour the boiling water ON TO the Herbs, not the other way around. Cover the tea with a cover - a saucer is adequate for a cup or mug. The heat from the water draws out the useful components of the herbs and once it has been left for 15 mins, you can then strain the tea before drinking - although this is not essentil. You can add a lemon slice for extra vitamin C and/or honey for sweetness. Some people are allergic to these ingredients so you can replace them with orange and/or brown cane sugar. White sugar can be used but remember that it's not as healthy as the options already offered.

Common Teas:

Lavender FLOWERS - headaches, insomnia.

Rosemary LEAVES - fresh is best - headaches, digestion.

Camomille FLOWERS - Roman / German type - tension,headaches, stress, anxiety.

Elderflower FLOWERS - pale is best - calming, soothing.

Peppermint LEAVES - digestion, stomach claming, mouth refreshing, after-meal settler.

Lemon Balm LEAVES - mind calming, digestion.

Sage - cold symptoms, tiredness.

Fennel - digestion.

Thyme LEAVES - sore throat, coughs.

Feverfew - stress, migraines.

Ginger ROOT - (very small amounts) flu, coughs, colds.

Dandelion LEAVES - fresh & young - cleansing durectic - DRINK IN SMALL QUANTITY!

Cardamon PODS - 3 OR 4 - runny noses, sore throats.

Herbal Facial Steams or Inhalers and Baths

To make a Herbal steam of inhalent:

Large basin/bowl

2 pints / 1.2 litres boiling water

A large towel

3 tablespoons / 45 grammes of herb

Sprinkle the herbs in a large bowl of boiling water and place the towel over your head. Lean your head over the bowl and and steam/inhaler gently for 10 or 15 mins. For colds and congestion do this twice a day - morning and evening.

Facial steaming for deep cleaning of the skin: 3 tbsp Camomile FLOWERS - fresh. 3 tbsp Myrtle FLOWERS -fresh. 3 tbsp Lavender FLOWERS - fresh.

Steam Inhalers for chesty congestions:

3 tbsp Eucalyptus LEAVES -broken up & fresh. 3 tbsp Rosemary LEAVES -chopped & fresh. 3 tbsp Peppermint LEAVES - chopped & fresh.

To make a Herbal bath:

A warm bath of water.

3 tablespoons of a herb.

Either sprinkle the herbs into the run bath OR place the herbs in a muslin bag, tie and hang it over the hot water tap so that the water runs through the water as it enters the bath.

Bath Herbs: For RELAXATION - 3 tbsp Myrtle LEAVES - fresh OR 3 tbsp Sweet Majoram LEAVES - fresh OR 3 tbsp Lemon Balm LEAVES - fresh. For INVIGORATION - 3 tbsp Sage LEAVES - fresh OR 3 tbsp Rosemary LEAVES - fresh OR 3 tbsp Yarrow LEAVES - fresh.

Herbal Compresses, Poultices and Syrups

COMRESSES - Dip a pad of cotton wool or lint in a strong infusion ( a type of tea BUT with 2 or 4 tablespoons left in 9 fl oz of boiling water and left for 20 or 30 mins) and apply directly to the area in question. In more severe cases you can re-apply again .

Cold - sprains, muscular, pain, swelling e.g. CAMOMILE or COMFREY.

Hot - draws out infection and poison e.g HORSETAIL.

POULTICES - Make a strong infusion and drain the fluid away, then mash the herbs it into paste. Put the paste on a piece of gause and fold the gause over it, apply it straight to the problem annd wrap a bandage of towel around it to hold it in place.

The poultice must be left to cool alittle but placed still warm. Good herbs to use are combinations such as CALENDUAL flowers and BORAGE leaves.

SYRUPS - 2 or 4 tablespoons crushed/finely chopped herb to 1 pint water, simmer for 20 to 20 mins, then add honey/sugar/con. apple juice and simmer until it goes thick. Once cool put the syrup in a bottle and take 2 teaspoons in 3 fl oz x 3 daily. Syrups are very good for flu and colds, bad chests, coughing and cause sweating which helps the infection leave the body.

Good Herbs for Syrup ; ELDERBERY, WHITE HORSEHOUND, THYME and GINGER.

©2007

Herbal Balms

To make a herbal balm:

A good size sauce pan with a lid.

A heatfproof bowl (like Pyrex) to sit on top of the saucepan.

A cleaned dark brown/blue glass bottle that can hold 8 fl oz/ 225 ml or more.

8 fl oz / 225 ml of natural oil - NOT VEGATABLE OIL but Olive or Sunflower.

Herbal sprigs of 2 herbs are usual, gently rinsed in clear water and dried by shaking.

Put water into a sauce pan of about an inch or 2.5 cm deep.

Pour the oil in to the bowl and then add the herbs - don't forget to press them well down!

Put the bowl over SIMMERING water and put the pan lid over the bowl. Leave it for about an hours buDON'F FORGET to check it refularly so that the pan dosen't boil dry! When the herbs are reduced take the bowl CAREFULLY, using golves or cloth, off the pan and let it cool. Strain the oil off usinf a small strainer or muslim cloth into a jug, preferably NOT plastic, and then into the bottle. Place the bottle in a dark place/container and leave for 4 - 6 WEEKS before using.

Good mixes of herbs:

Lavender FLOWERS & Rosemary - aching muscles.

Majoram & Myrtle LEAVES - mind calming.

Peppermint LEAVES & Camomile FLOWERS - stomach tightening/cramps.

Herbal Ointments

To make a herbal ointment:

Solid suacepan.

Cleaned dark brwn/blue glass jar with a sealing lid (metal clasp/screw).

A heatfproof bowl (like Pyrex) to sit on top of the saucepan.

A metal whisk.

2 tablespoons / 30 grammes Beeswax or Cocoa Butter,

4 tablespoons / 60 ml Herbal Tea - for example: Camomile, Elderflower or Comfrey.

4 tablespoons / 60 ml natual oil - NOT VEGATABLE OIL : Olive or Sunflower.

Pour enough water into a pan to cover the bottom - about an inch / 2.5 cm and leave simmering. Put the Beeswax / Coaca butter and herbal tea into the bowl and put it over the pan. Whisk these until the wav / butter is completely dissoved. Then whisk, strongly and quickly, the oil into the wax, a few drops at a time until you have added it all. Take the bowl off the pan and contiue to whisk in the same way. As the oils cools it will start to thicken and this is when you should pour it into the jar. Once it's cooled seal the jar with the lid and keep it cool (preferably in a fridge / coolbox).

The ointment will only last for a month at the most, and then YOU MUST THROW IT AWAY - please dispose of it carefully as this "off" ointment can be detremental to the health of human and animal alike!

Herbs in Essential Oils

Essential oils are made by different methods, dependant on the plant and it takes a vast quanttity of that plant to produce the essential oil.

I reccommend that prepared oils be bought form a reputable Herbalist of Alternative Medicine outlet - as a number of the more popular "brands" are often of little if any beneficalry use due to the quantities of plant within them.

Essential oils are useful in Aromatherapy, and you can burn certain oils to aid in well being - but please check with your supplier as to the suitability of an oil.

Remember that oils must be DILUTED in a carrier oil such as Grapeseed. - wether for burning or massage.

With regard to massage - massage techniques are important when massaging yourself or others. To massage in the wrong manner and direction may infact injure rather then aid - Please seek eduction from a reputable person before attempting massage on yourself or others.

Care and aftercare for Essential Oils and Massage

If you have had a massage you should be told to follow aftercare rules such as these:

Try not to bathe until the next day - its better for the body not to exhale
until the oils have taken hold and offers a more fuller benefit.

Avoid applying anything else to the skin - body lotions, make-up etc, until
the next day.

Avoid strenous exercise and rest for 24hrs after, were able, due to the feeling of tiredness. The circulation is busy eliminating toxins and it uses energy, It is possible
that you may have a headache, diarrhea or nausea but this should pass and
you'll feel better within a few days.

After massage the excretory system is stimulated and you may find that you
need to go to the toilet more often. Lost liquid should be replaced (hence
my previous warning on drinking plenty of water). Mineral water or Herbal
teas are fine - but leave tea, coffee or alcohol as these are diuretic and
will dehydrate you further.

Avoid heavy meals - eat light meals only for the rest of the day.

Be observant - you will be in a relaxed state and your reflexes WILL BE
SLOWER, so be particularly viligant when driving etc.

DO NOT exposure yourself to strong sunlight and sun beds - some oils are phototoxic and you WILL BURN very quickly. Avoidance of both is recommended for at least 2/3 days afterwards.

With regard to the use og essential oils in massage:

It should be noted that sometimes, though rarely, unpleasant symptoms may occur as a direct result of massage. This occurs because the body is releasing toxins from the body as a direct result of massage .

These symptoms can take the form of previous ailments like headaches - however these symptoms are normal and a sign that the massage has ntiated the correct bodily response and lasts only a short while.

This is why drinking water etc is so important as this flushes the toxins out of the
body fully and if the advice, given belowin the aftercare section, is administered most , if any, symptoms may never occur or will disipate shortly afterwards.

Once the toxins are eliminated from the body the massaged person does FEEL THE BENEFIT and only a feeling of tiredness may persist afterwards which is quite normal!!

But patrina kater ruhkendar, avendar kater kodo vesh te le purden hi po o kodo baval!