Katolen Yardley - The Good Living Guide to Natural and Herbal Remedies

Copyright 2016 by Katolen Yardley

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jenny Zemanek

Print ISBN: 978-1-68099-157-4

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-68099-158-1

Printed in China

T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

Confirming my belief that everything occurs for a higher reason, the opportunity to write this book presented itself and developed at the perfect time. Thank you to the publisher, Abigail, and Jennifer Browne for the synchronistic unfoldments leading up to this book.

Lluis Amoros, this book is for you on the day of Sant Jordi, el da del libro y de la rosa. To my dear ones Rod Frew and Marcia Clingman: for your willingness to stay present and explore the unknown. To my dear friends, especially Rob Fisher and Sean Cook, for the opportunity for heartfelt sharing and moments of connection: your presence has been a consistent encouragement. To all my clients who have reciprocated stories, dreams, laughter, and fearsyour presence has enriched this journey called life. Thank you for continuing to teach me and for reminding me of the importance of connection.

Thank you to my mentors, teachers, and fellow herbalists both inspirations in their own waysChanchal Cabrera, FNIMH, and herbalist Rowan Hamilton, for fueling my minds need for philosophical contemplation and possibility. Christopher Hedley, with whom I apprenticed while studying in the UK, taught me the necessity of getting back in touch with nature and plants. When I was ill while studying abroad, he entered his kitchen and blended a valuable bronchitis syrup for me at a moments notice, thereby instilling the importance of accessible medicine for everyone.

Disclaimer

The information contained within this book is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it is not in any way a substitute for professional advice. If you have an ongoing medical condition, it is essential to consult your health-care provider before embarking on any self-treatment. Before implementing any of this information, each individual is responsible for weighing the risks and benefits. He or she may want to seek medical advice first and be monitored periodically by a doctor or health-care provider while employing these practices. It is the responsibility of the health-care provider, relying on the unique health history of each individual, to determine the correct dosage and treatment for any particular person. This information is for educational purposes only and does not convey or warrant, either expressly or implied, any guaranteed outcomes, promises, or benefits from this protocol. When harvesting wild plants, it is imperative that you identify the species correctly. Neither the publisher nor the author is responsible for any omissions or errors of any kind; nor do they assume any liability for injury and/or damage to persons or property arising from this publication. As new research and clinical experience are revealed, modifications with treatment protocols may be necessary. It is the responsibility of the reader to check the most up-to-date information regarding dosage, contraindications, and duration of use.

I NTRODUCTION

My passion for herbal medicine has spanned over twenty years, including incredible visits to the jungle to learn about exotic medicinal plants, adventures in third-world countries to observe different cultural and traditional health-care and spiritual practices, and climbing local mountains to discover medicinal plants growing in my own backyard. In private practice, my area of expertise focuses on digestive health, skin conditions, and female reproductive health issues; in addition, for close to twenty years, I have taught herbal medicine-making techniques in schools and to the general public. I have been in private practice as a medical herbalist since 1999, and both my clients and the plants I use continue to be my teachers.

Accessible and environmentally-friendly practices provide sustainability for our health and the planet. If a vision for a cleaner future exists for our planet, and if there is wisdom for improved ways of living life, then it is our responsibility to be a part of that momentum. A humble approach is to focus on the results we wish to see. For any change to occur in industrial practices and the contamination of our planet with industrial waste, we need to first recognize the intrinsic value of Mother Earth, her plants, and all species on this planet. Herbal medicine can be considered preventive medicine providing accessible medicine for many; it holds value through its ability to lower costs for the overburdened health-care system and for its contribution toward the ongoing stability of the planet. It offers us tools to maintain the fragile balance of our ecosystem and to remember our connection to all life on this planet. If herbs are used in a green, renewable fashion, then plant medicine can help ensure a viable future for the next generations.

I am writing this book as an herbalist, and my angle is to share the various ways and possibilities to incorporate herbal medicines into our daily lifestyleas food when available, as medicine when appropriate, and as a method and reminder of the accessibility and importance of sustainable practices for the health of our planet. It is my preference to use plant medicine and become familiar with plants prior to recommending them to clients. With frequency of use, confidence increases and misconceptions and hesitations diminish.

This book provides health and home remedies. It contains insights on how we heal, including an introduction to common herbs and foods that can be utilized for what ails us. There are numerous recipes for food, first aid, family health issues, and body care contained within these pages.

The use of plants for healing our ills is the oldest form of therapyplants offer vast capacities in terms of our healing and play a vital role in our remembering. Most importantly, this book is about connection. It is a tool to remind us of our lost connection with nature, which supplies both our food and medicine, and the importance of caring for Mother Earth which provides life on our planet.