Leslie M. Alexander - Dental herbalism: natural therapies for the mouth

DENTAL HERBALISM

The authors have provided an excellent overview of oral conditions and relevant discussion of anatomy through this well-thought-out text. They also further provide non-pharmaceutical methods to prevent oral disease that complement traditional, well-accepted approaches for maintaining oral health. I commend both authors and would encourage the layperson and clinicians alike to read this text.

MICHAEL T. KOLODYCHAK, MPH, DMD, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON

The accessible and detailed information in Dental Herbalism is required reading. Whether you want to do it yourself or simply be more knowledgeable about how to support what your dentist is doing, youll find it here. A great book.

SUSUN WEED, AUTHOR OF THE WISE WOMAN HERBAL SERIES

Dental Herbalism takes holistic herbalism to a new level, applying it to the realm of oral hygiene. This book will make an invaluable contribution to integrative herbal medicine and a resource for all types of health practitioners.

MARY BOVE, ND, AUTHOR OF AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURAL HEALING FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Dental Herbalism empowers personal responsibility for dental health. It is rich with lifestyle and hygiene tips and reliable herbal references. For health professionals it offers a clinical depth that will serve as a resource for clinical herbalists and dental professionals alike.

MIMI PRUNELLA HERNANDEZ, MS, RH(AHG),EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN HERBALISTS GUILD

An essential guide to natural oral health, Dental Herbalism is full of useful adviceherbal and otherwise. I had never truly understood how important a healthy mouth and teeth were for health and well-being.

ANDREW CHEVALLIER, FNIMH, MCPP, HERBAL PRACTITIONER AND AUTHOR OF ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBAL MEDICINE

I fully endorse Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth.

REZA NASSIRI, DSC, FACCP, PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND ASSOCIATE DEAN OF GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

Dental Herbalism is an easy-to-read guide on oral health and herbal medicinals and is a must read for both patients and dental professionals.

MICHELLE HURLBUTT, RDH, MSDH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF DENTAL HYGIENE, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

This is an extremely informative, reader-friendly resource of natural remedies for the dental professional and their patients.

LISA E. STILLMAN, RDH, BS, FOUNDER OF DENTAL VOICE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Written in a comprehensive style that allows for effortless integration into todays practice of dentistry. Kudos to the authors for a job well done!

BETSY REYNOLDS, RDH, MS, ORAL BIOLOGY EDUCATOR

Dental Herbalism carves a unique place in the terrain of medical herbalism. It is thorough, drawing upon the expertise of senior practitioners alongside contemporary research. It is my go-to reference for dental care.

WILLIAM MORRIS, PHD, DAOM, LAC, COAUTHOR OF LI SHI-ZHEN PULSE STUDIES

Dental Herbalism presents us with valuable insight into a topic that has previously been allotted only a page or two in most herbals. It offers a truly holistic perspective of dental wellness thats sure to enrich both herbalists and dental professionals alike.

JIM MCDONALD, HERBALIST AND TEACHER

The in-depth knowledge and the practical approach to herbal oral care contained between the covers of this book will change the way you look at and deal with your mouth and teeth.

VATSALA SPERLING, PHD, PDHOM, RSHOM(NA), CCH

A rich and dynamic handbook to support everyday dental care for the layperson, it also offers intricate answers to complex questions for practitioners.

EMILY RUFF, HERBALIST AND DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA SCHOOL OF HOLISTIC LIVING

In honor of my mum, Carol Alexander, who continues to teach me about nourishing traditions... and in memory of my father, Jay Alexander, with whom I shared my first walk in a wood.

LESLIE

To Mason, the ray of sunshine that warms my heart.Thank you for being my infinite light.

LINDA (MOM)

As the authors of Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth, we take full responsibility for the educational information we provide our readers. We are not physicians. None of the information presented here is intended to replace professional medical care or provide diagnoses. We implore our readers to utilize, integrate, and assimilate the information provided herein in ways that support their own health and well-being.

If you read no further than this claim and take away nothing else from our work, then let it be this: it is indeed time to reclaim the health of our mouths. How this is accomplished is up to each one of us; here we offer but a few suggestions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many a person, knowingly or otherwise, has helped to shape this, our first book, and to each of you we extend our heartfelt thanks.

There have been questions, answers, discussions, rants, laughter, and help at each and every turn along the way. We have talked about extractions and distractions, food and drink, thoughts and feelings, and practical herbal choices. In particular, for their many and varied contributions to our work, we would like to thank Kim Alexander, Claudia Anders, Lois Barber, Hilary Benjamin, Mason Paul Bruce, Debb Burtnett, Michael Connett, Renee DAmico, Tereasa Dickson, Annette Eccles, Memory Elvin-Lewis, Fatemeh Ezoddini-Ardakani, Jo Feterle, Robert Glassgow, Adam Hammerlee, Sarah Hurt, Bashka Jacobs, Julie James, Katrinka Morgan, Will Morris, Valerie Nemenz, Lori Perry, Ethan Russo, Karen Spuck, Ariana Staruck, Bill Straub, Alan Tillitson, Randall Valentine, Michelle Vitali, and David Winston.

For prompt assistance with library materials and library access we are grateful to Jane Beach (director, Cooperstown Public Library), Cynthia Burton (reference librarian, Allegheny College), Tara Kanoti (librarian, Herb Society of America), Debbie Oaks (librarian, Franklin Public Library), Stuart Rodes (manager, Sherman Cohn Library, Maryland University of Integrative Health), and The American Botanical Council for their research assistance.

For giving comments on the manuscript and suggesting ways to revise and improve our work wed like to thank Carol Alexander, Mary Bove, Bill Hammerlee, Sonja Hunt, Richard Mandelbaum, and Leslie Williams. Each of you contributed to our book in too many ways to detail here.

We thank Leslie, Bill, KP, and Richard for their time, attention, and eagerness to write forewords to Dental Herbalism, helping us forge more links between our respective professions.

Our efforts were emboldened by the contributions of Ashley Laufer, our illustrator, who hopes to focus her work on medical/scientific illustration (). We are grateful for her images that help to embellish and shape our work. Of course, thanks to everyone at Inner Traditions/Healing Arts Press, most especially Laura Schlivek, Margaret Jones, Janet Jesso, Jon Graham, Kelly Bowen, and Jeanie Levitan, without whose interest and help this work would never have reached your hands.

As we discovered the enormity of our project we were buoyed by teachers, friends, family, colleagues, and strangers who responded to our queries with a joyful willingness to share information and ideas, to celebrate our successes, and to laugh (with us) at our mistakes. Each of you enhanced our journey, and we are in your debt.

Last and certainly not least, without the plants themselves there would be no