Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies. David Hoffmann
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Through the mouth the world of taste opens to us, itself a doorway to discrimination. The voice, generated in the throat, facilitates communication. Through the eyes light is revealed to us, and also the doorway to divinity.
This interaction with the outer environment, and the close connection between these organs through the continuous layer of mucous membranes they share, explains many of the conditions which may occur. It is possible to simply say that a bacterial infection has occurred, or that an allergy reaction is due to a particular grass pollen, but this is a very limited way of looking at symptoms. The systemic roots for a reduction of innate resistance must be sought, as must the cause of an immunological sensitivity.
There is a strong connection between the respiratory system and the ears, nose and throat. A beautiful example of the body’s synergy and self healing is given by the way that mucus is dealt with by the mucous membranes. Part of the function of the mucus is to trap particles and protect the underlying membranes from invasion. The mucus is disposed of by the ‘mucociliary escalator’. The cells lining the nose and throat have little hairs on them called cilia. These beat in one direction, moving material inexorably downwards towards the oesophagus and thus into the sterilising stomach. The lining of the bronchial tubes have cilia that move material upwards to the same fate. Under healthy conditions this works perfectly. However, if there is a change in the consistency of the mucus the mechanism cannot operate efficiently. Much of the herbal treatment of mucous conditions is therefore based on changing the consistency of the mucus; the cilia will do the rest.
Herbs for ears, nose, throat and eyes
As most of the diseases that manifest in this system stem from problems with the mucous membranes, we usually have to deal with catarrh and infections. Whilst we have to remember that these conditions can only be treated in the context of the whole body, certain groups of remedies are especially indicated. For any catarrhal problem, astringents and anti-catarrhal plants should be used, but herbs rich in volatile oils can also be very useful. As there is often a microbial involvement, anti-microbials should be considered, as should alteratives to aid the lymphatic system in its defensive and cleansing work.
Especially suited for use in this system are Balm of Gilead, Boneset, Echinacea, Elder Flower, Eyebright, Eucalyptus, Golden Seal, Golden Rod, Hyssop, Marshmallow Leaf, Peppermint, Poke Root, Sage, Silverweed and Wild Indigo.
We are most familiar with the ears’ responsibility for hearing, but besides this perception of sound waves they send impulses to the brain that tell which way up we are and also information about the movement of the body in the three dimensions of space. To fulfil all these functions, the body has evolved an architecturally beautiful structure that facilitates these complex activities in a miraculously efficient way.
It is beyond the scope of this book to explore problems of the inner ear. We shall concern ourselves with conditions due to infections and catarrh that are within the field of home treatment.
Infections
Infections of the middle ear often originate in the throat and spread via the eustachian tube. The most important herbs to use are anti-microbial remedies like Blue Flag, Echinacea, Garlic and Wild Indigo, which are also anti-catarrhal and alterative, with Echinacea being the most useful one in all infections of ears, nose and throat. The herbs rich in antiseptic oils may be useful but are more indicated in throat or nose complaints. The lymphatic tonics such as Cleavers and Poke Root have to be considered, as should the anti-catarrhal and mucous membrane tonics Elder Flower, Golden Rod and Golden Seal.
The appropriate herbs should be combined into a tea (except maybe for Golden Seal, which because of its bitter taste often has to be given as a powder in capsules, particularly for children). Whilst this internal treatment will be effective, in cases of earache there can also be the need for an external treatment. An earache can be very painful, particularly in children, and can cause much distress, but there are a number of ways to ease such pain.
Earache
The quickest way I know to relieve earache is to use Pennywort juice. Collect some of the round leaves of Pennywort. It grows in walls and on rocks in many places and may be found quite easily. (More than one herb has the common name of Pennywort. This one is unmistakable as the stem goes down from the centre of the round leaf). Crush a couple of leaves in a sieve and collect the expressed juice. Put a couple of drops (which have to be at body temperature) of this green juice into the painful ear and plug it with some cotton wool.
Mullein oil can be used in the same way, as can warm Almond oil or the tincture of Lobelia. If none of these are available, make a strong infusion of Chamomile, Yarrow or Hyssop and use a couple of drops in the same way.
While any of these remedies will relieve the earache, we have to remember that the infection itself which is causing the pain also needs to be treated.
Mastoiditis
A not uncommon condition is an infection of the mastoid process, just behind the ear, which may produce an abscess or a boil that affects the outer or middle ear. This condition should be treated in the same way as boils, as a systemic infection (see the chapter on skin).
Deafness and hearing problems
Deafness may be due to neurological causes or due to a catarrhal blockage of the middle ear. Such blockage can be successfully treated with the approach described for nasal catarrh. A build-up of wax in the outer ear canal can also contribute to deafness and should be removed by a competent practitioner.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition in which one hears a noise within the ear. It can be caused by catarrhal congestion, but regardless of the cause it may be treated effectively by the use of Golden Seal or Black Cohosh, taken as a tea or in capsules over a period of time.
The nasal passages are lined with mucous membranes. They constantly produce some mucus, to protect the underlying membranes from drying out and to remove and sterilise any irritant that enters the nose when we breathe. This natural production of mucus can be stimulated by various factors and lead to problems of excess mucus, such as catarrh and colds. The reason can lie in external irritants, like tobacco or petrol fumes, dust particles or bacteria, but most commonly stems from internal problems, from a state of internal build-up of toxins due to an inappropriate lifestyle, particularly an inappropriate diet (see the section on mucus-free diet in the chapter on the respiratory system under congestion). If this is the cause, the body will use the mucus of the upper respiratory tract as one of its vehicles for waste removal. The first step in a treatment of such conditions is to examine one’s diet. In all the following suggestions for herbal treatment it is assumed that a diet low in mucus is followed.
Catarrh
As already pointed out, nasal catarrh may be the result of systemic factors and can also involve infections and allergies. To treat this sometimes intransigent problem