Warts: A Bumpy Road to Recovery

Best Single Herb: Reishi mushroom

Best Combinations: Reishi mushroom; pau d’arco

Other Helpful Supplements: Colloidal silver; vitamins A and D

Possible Causes: Virus; lowered immune system

Complementary Help: Externally use any of the following: tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, apple cider vinegar, castor oil (twice per day until gone)

Warts are actually caused by a virus. They can occur anywhere on the body, but they’re most commonly found on the hands. On the soles of the feet, warts are called plantar warts (denoting the plantar aspect of the foot).

Consult your podiatrist about plantar warts, although you might want to try some of these herbal remedies first before you have them burned away. Treat the source of the problem internally with herbs. Having them removed medically is only treating the temporary symptom and not addressing the core issue. I have seen many different external remedies work for ridding my clients of warts, and unfortunately, they are all different! I will give you some to try for yourself, and I will be grateful if you send me your letters on what works for you!

Let’s look at some herbs that may help you get rid of the source of your warts.

Warnings about the use of herbs

Genital warts are transmitted by sexual contact and may have to be frozen or surgically removed by your physician. See your doctor for genital warts because these are contagious and you may need to be treated medically.

Reishi Mushroom

The Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has also been referred to as the lucky fungus. This mushroom has become quite popular in the United States in recent years, but it has a long history as a sacred herb in the Orient. Reishi is used by Taoist monks, who believe that it enhances the receptivity of the spirit. In China, the herb is said to bring immortality.

This herb is used to help normalize blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, relax the muscles, numb pain, kill bacteria, reduce swellings, rejuvenate the body and tissues, tone the heart, stimulate the body and help it adapt to stress, boost the immune system, and aid in the fight against cancer, especially tumors. Nice to have this fungus among us, eh?

As you can see, Reishi is used for more than just warts, and you should see some beneficial side effects with the use of this mushroom. This herb is generally considered safe, but if you use it regularly and also use medications, use caution — the herb may inhibit the absorption of some drugs. Reishi contains polysaccharides, which are thought to help the immune system eat up free radical cells. This has made this mushroom popular in use with herbal and nutritional cancer-prevention programs. All these positive properties of this valuable fungus make Reishi a safe and effective herb for boosting the immune system and helping the body rid itself of warts. To help you get rid of your warts and boost your overall vitality and health, take six to 10 capsules of Reishi spread out through the day. This remedy can be taken in very large quantities with no toxic side effects. If you are fighting a serious illness, you can double or triple this amount. Work with a professional who can get you on a holistic program to help you if you are ill.

Mote Folk Remedies

So many herbal remedies exist to rid yourself of warts that I cannot list them all here, but I will give you some of my favorites that have been effective:

> Take four pau d’arco capsules twice daily, and take a pau d’arco tea, lotion, infusion, or poultice externally for six weeks.

> Break the stem of a fresh, blooming dandelion before noon and before dark. Apply the white liquid to the wart directly. Do this twice each day for 10 days, and the wart will fall off.

> Apply tea tree oil to the wart two to four times each day until the wart dissolves.

> Puncture a vitamin E capsule, and apply it to the wart daily. Cover the area with a bandage. (This has helped some within two weeks!)

> Apply castor oil each evening and each morning until the wart leaves.

> Take one teaspoon of colloidal silver twice daily internally, and add a dab to the wart twice per day for 10 days. (Do not take silver for more than 10 days at a time.)

> Soak gauze with apple cider vinegar, and apply to the wart overnight. The next morning, the wart will be gone.

I don’t know why some of these remedies work for some and not for others, but they are safe — and at least one of them should work for you!

Internally, vitamins A and D help boost the immune system and feed the skin, and these vitamins have helped many get rid of their warts. This is probably because vitamin A in particular has been shown to be low in those suffering from viral infections. Because these vitamins are stored in our body, be sure that you are not taking large doses for too long. Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for adults taking vitamin A are 4,000 to 5,000 IU (international units). If you are not working with an herbalist or nutritionist, you might consider taking beta carotene instead. Your liver can convert beta carotene to vitamin A for you when your body needs it.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

You can get your vitamin D from the sunshine; otherwise, an average adult can take between 200 IU and 600 IU daily.

Parasites: Dealing with Uninvited Guests

Best Single Herb: Wormwood

Best Combinations: Elecampane, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), spearmint, turmeric, ginger, garlic, clove, wormwood (Artemisia absinthium); cascara sagrada; black walnut

Other Helpful Supplements: Acidophilus; food enzymes with hydrochloric acid

Possible Causes: Poor stomach acid; problems with the drinking water; transfer from food or pets

Complementary Help: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly; cleanse the bowel; avoid sugar

Parasites are organisms that live off a host (you) that do not contribute to the welfare of that host. Basically life-suckers, parasites are linked to a myriad of illnesses, and parasite infestation can be very damaging to the system. Several different types of parasites exist, from microscopic organisms to large intestinal tapeworms. Because most of you will be terribly grossed out by this topic, I’ll spare you the gruesome details. However, I think that everyone should be aware that more of us than you might think have parasites.

In this section, I’ll also make you aware of some of the signs of infestation, and I’ll give you some preventative measures to take. Then we can get on with the herbal remedies.

Parasites can be transferred through contact with the following contaminated items:

• Animals
• Feces
• Meat
• Soil
• Vegetables
• Water

Parasites can enter our body via the mouth or through the skin.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

Think of bugs and parasites as nature’s undertakers — they invade only when conditions are ripe. Keep the body clean, digestion strong, and tissues oxygenated so parasites cannot take a foothold.

How can you tell if you might have a parasitic infection? Here are some things to look for:

• Sudden, unexplained illness
• Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
• Diarrhea, intestinal distress
• Vomiting, nausea
• Grinding teeth, especially at night
• Sugar cravings
• Abdominal bloating
• Lowered immunity
• Insomnia
• General body aches, pains, weakness
• Liver problems, anemia, cirrhosis

These ailments can be caused by a host of things (no pun intended!) but are common among my clients who suffer from parasite infections.

Warnings about the use of herbs

Avoid sugar when dealing with a parasite infection. Sugar is a favorite food of parasites, and you will need to starve the party to get rid of them for good.

When utilizing herbs to kill off a parasite infection, get some guidance from your holistic practitioner and herbalist because the process can sometimes take more than a month — and sometimes several months — to complete.

Try this regimen that my clients have followed with success:

1. Take your parasite-killing herbs (examples are given in the table at the end of this chapter) for 10 days, and avoid eating sugar, meat, cheese, and bread.

2. Replace these foods with lots of rice, steamed vegetables, tofu, beans, salads, and other wholesome foods.

3. Then, continue on your clean diet and discontinue the parasite-killing herbs for 10 days. (You can continue on your food enzyme supplement with hydrochloric acid for protection.)

4. After this 10-day rest period, resume taking your herbs for another 10 days. This will ensure that you have killed off any eggs that may have hatched from the first batch of the nasties.

Don’t be discouraged if you have to go through this process for another month or so — it will depend on how strong of a foothold the buggers have on you. You can also increase your garlic intake to speed up the process.

Wormwood, Would You?

In case you’re out in the bushes identifying different herbs, let’s clear up a common problem in identifying or labeling sage. There is the herb sage, and then there is the herb sagebrush. Sagebrush is commonly referred to as just sage, for short, but sage and sagebrush actually come from two separate families. Sagebrush is part of the Artemisia family (also referred to as the wormwood family). We’re going to talk about the wormwood or Artemisia family here for its usefulness in fighting parasites. This family contains three different herbs, and all are quite different.

Let’s get this wormwood, sage, sagebrush thing straight:

Wormwood is a common name for the herb Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia frigida, or Artemisia tilesii. This is the herb we will discuss for its effects on ridding the body of parasites.

Mugwort is the common name for the herb Artemisia vulgaris. This herb is also used to fight parasite infections and can be used together with wormwood for enhanced effect.

Sagebrush is the common name for the herb Artemisia tridentata and is the common, bush-like herb you see in the mountains, deserts, and plains of North America. We’ll talk a little more about this common plant here, too, because it’s one of my favorites. This herb has been used for respiratory ailments and many other conditions of the body. See the following photo of sagebrush taken early in the spring to help identify this herb.

Sage does not belong in the Artemisia family at all — its Latin name is Salvia officinalis, and it’s used for sinuses, the bladder, mucus membranes, sore throats, and nerves.

Growing up in Colorado (and now living in Idaho), I have been surrounded by sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) almost everywhere outdoors. I love its bittersweet smell and have harvested it for use as incense. The plant burns easily, and with an incense holder and a piece of self-igniting charcoal, you can burn the fresh herb for quite a while. Use sagebrush for a psychic cleansing for your environment and self. When moving into a new home that was previously occupied or buying a previously owned vehicle, a smoky sagebrush cleansing will help purify others energies and makes the space feel cleaner.

Artemisia tridentata, commonly known as sagebrush and sometimes called sage.

The sagebrush is the silver-green, somewhat fuzzy plant you see in the Western high deserts and plains of North America. Next time you watch a cowboy Western movie, notice the sagebrush that is always growing abundantly in the dusty, rocky ground. Pick some for its wonderful smell, and remember its differences from the other herb: sage.

Now back to the other Artemisia family members that specifically have been used as verimfuges (parasite killers) and anthelmintics (parasite expellers).

Herb Lore: information related to holistic health

Having the opportunity to be involved with a tribe of Lakota Sioux Native Americans helped me see what a useful and revered herb sagebrush is. Women added a pinch of it to soups and stews; fresh sprigs were added to the flames of the sweat lodge fire; and the medicine man always cleansed the energy of each person who entered the healing ceremonies with the smoke of burning sagebrush. Sometimes when flesh offerings were given, the medicine man would pick some sprigs and immediately dress the wounds with the leaves; the application stopped bleeding immediately.

Wormwood is a plant that may have received its name because pests are repelled by it. You can take wormwood internally but only in small doses; this herb can kill and send unwanted parasites from your body, and it may work specifically well for roundworms and thread worms. You will usually find wormwood mixed with other herbs in combinations because too much of this herb can be toxic to the system. Parasites aren’t the only pests that dislike this herb — mice also are repelled by it. In fact, it is said that writers and authors in the days of old used to add the juice of the wormwood plant to their ink to protect mice from chewing on their papers! (Isn’t it funny how times have changed? Now authors couldn’t survive without a mouse!)

Terms related to herbs or holistic health

A verimfuge is a term used for an herb that has properties that push parasites from the body. This term has been used interchangeably with anthelmintic, parasiticide, and antiparasitic. An anthelmintic is a term used for an herb that has properties that kill parasites. This term has been used interchangeably with verimfuge, parasiticide, and antiparasitic.

You can also use dried wormwood to make sachets for protecting your closets and sweater drawers from moths. Try wormwood as a tea or decoction, and apply it externally for use as a topical insect repellent and to combat lice, scabies, and itchy skin.

In folklore, the dried herb of the wormwood plant was used to protect a person from spells given by the evil eye. So, it seems, wormwood has been used for a long time to rid unwanted things from our body and from our environment.

Other Herbs to Evict Unwanted Tenants

Many herbs can be used safely in combination or separately to fight parasitic infections and to protect you from them in the first place. For protection, take a food enzyme supplement with hydrochloric acid before every meal, especially when eating out or traveling. Food poisoning is usually caused by bacterial infections, but parasites can be contracted the same way — either way, hydrochloric acid should kill them both!

Here’s a list of well-known herbs that kill and rid the body of parasites:

• Wormwood
• Elecampane
• Mugwort
• Spearmint
• Turmeric (a spice used in cooking — especially in Indian curries)
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Clove
• Cascara sagrada
• Black Walnut

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

If you and your physician cannot pinpoint the exact cause of your ailments, consider a parasite infection.

Any combinations of these herbs can serve as an internal fumigation for your parasites! Not all of these are safe for use if pregnant or nursing, so see the contraindications listed back in “Herbs Are Not Just for Hippies Anymore,” before utilizing these herbs.

Measles: No Measly Solution

Measles (Rubeola or Rubella)

Best Single Herb: Boneset

Best Combinations: Echinacea, golden seal; boneset; safflowers; liquid chlorophyll; marshmallow, fenugreek; slippery elm; yarrow

Other Helpful Supplements: Beta carotene; vitamin C

Possible Cause: Exposure

Complementary Help: Thyme fomentations; garlic and catnip enema; Oregon grape used externally; eucalyptus diffused in a room

Measles is typically a childhood illness, caused by a contagious virus. The symptoms include a rash that lasts about three to five days, a cough, a fever, and sometimes small red spots with white centers on the inside of the mouth.

This illness usually lasts a short time, but you should take care of yourself for at least a week after you recover to ensure that you avoid further complications from the illness. An inner ear infection or other ailments of the respiratory tract can sometimes follow a measles outbreak. Read the section “Allergies Bee Gone,” to find some great herbs that will help dry up sinus passages. Also see the section “Colds: A Cure for All Seasons,” for some herbs that will soothe an irritated throat. For some herbs to recover from measles right now, read on.

Were You Vaccinated?

Most of us already have experienced measles in childhood, whether we were vaccinated against it or not. However, exposure to this usually mild infection, through exposure to someone contagious with the measles, will usually ensure lifetime immunity so that you don’t have to experience the problem again.

The vaccine against measles is not necessarily 100 percent protection against the virus, nor is it necessarily the reason for the eradication of the disease. Here are some interesting facts:

• The death rate from measles declined by 95 percent from 1916 to 1958. Note that this occurred years before the introduction of the vaccine.
• More than 95 percent of measles cases have a history of vaccination, according to Dr. William Atkinson of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• In Hungary, between December 1988 and May 1989 there were 19,000 cases of measles; 77 percent of these cases were found in people age 17 to 21 who had already received the live measles vaccine.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

If you have been exposed to the measles in any way whatsoever, you should begin taking your herbal remedies right away. You’ll boost your immune system and lessen the severity of your symptoms if and when you do catch the disease.

Whether you were vaccinated against measles or not, you can still utilize the same herbal remedies to help you recover. Let’s take a look at an old remedy, boneset.

Boneset, for Bone-Breaking Aches and Pains

The herb boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) got its name back in the days of the Civil War, when it was used against the flu named breakbone fever. The muscle aches and pains were so severe with this flu that folks believed their bones would break! Boneset helped ease these fever-related pains and earned its name as it did so. It is said that boneset was also used in place of quinine during this time to fight malaria. You can still use boneset to fight the discomfort of the measles and other illness such as the flu.

Boneset works as a diaphoretic (it pushes out fever) and an expectorant (it pushes out mucus); it also resists bacteria and viral infections and helps reduce the muscle pain associated with fevers. Make boneset into a tea or decoction and drink warm to help with fever. The energetic effect seems to change with this herb if taken in a liquid form. For instance, herbalists will tell you to take boneset warm for its diaphoretic effect (making you sweat to break a fever). But if you are chilled and shaking with a fever, boneset is more effective taken as a chilled tea or infusion. Of course, if you take the herb in a pill form or mixed with other herbs, you bypass these specifics.

Warnings about the use of herbs

Boneset is also an emetic, which means that too much can make you sick. Take only small amounts of this herb at a time, or take it in combination with other herbs historically known to help with colds, flu, and other respiratory ailments.

Other herbs to boost the immune system that are safe for children as well as adults include echinacea and golden seal, safflowers, liquid chlorophyll, marshmallow and fenugreek, slippery elm, and yarrow. Beta carotene and vitamin C both can boost the immune system as well.

Make a fomentation of thyme and apply topically to the rash or use for a sponge bath to help break fever. Garlic and catnip enemas are helpful in fighting infections in little ones and also help reduce mucus in the system. In addition, you can swab Oregon grape onto internal mouth sores to aid in healing.

The essential oil of eucalyptus diffused in a room can help protect others from airborne viruses spread by the coughing, infectious person.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

If estrogen levels become too high during the follicular phase, women may experience PMS. The liver is responsible for filtering out excess estrogen — consider milk thistle to aid liver functioning. Also avoid fats in the diet, which can raise estrogen levels, avoid sugar, which can affect the blood sugar and make you irritable, and avoid salt, which can make you retain excess water.