Health News

A herbalist has a holistic approach – that is, treating the whole person and not just the disease.

Although no two women are alike, similarities often emerge which include the need to correct biochemical imbalances, assist in the elimination of toxic waste and treating the inherited miasm.

We asked a herbalist to answer some following questions.

What is miasm

A miasm is the term alternative therapists give to a genetic weakness which is the foundation of a chronic disease. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, considered there to be three basic miasms (taints): psoric, sycotic and syphilitic (having their ancient origins from leprosy, gonorrhea and syphilis respectively.)

There is also a tubercular taint which is a mixture of psoric and syphilitic. From a homoeopathic view, these miasms have the potential to express themselves in various symptoms which are particular to the taint and each miasm can show an identifying pattern in the iris.

The herbalist explained that from a homoeopathic point of view, there are three main inherited factors which are the miasms discussed above. She said that someone back in the family tree may have had one of four things: tuberculosis, psoric, gonorrhoea or syphilis. Generations ago, these illnesses were treated with suppressive methods or left unresolved and there will still be a modified form of the disease present in the-family tree today.

This doesn’t mean that you are going to inherit these diseases, hut you will have a potential towards certain complaints. For instance, the gonorrhoeal (sycotic) taint bequeaths a tendency to pelvic discharges, inflammations and adhesions.

The inherited taint itself will initially be dealt with by herbs but finally with homeopathies of a very high potency.

Homeopathies are also used for treating thrush, bladder pain or infection, infertility, hormonal imbalance, Candida, imbalances in blood sugar levels, pain or other problems needing a specific focus.

She believes that in women with endometriosis the immune mechanism is possibly altered in a way which allows the implantation of tissue outside the normal area. Such an internal environment allows the hereditary weakness (defective immune mechanism) to come to the surface. Her theory is that it also might be likely that many women have retrograde bleeding at some stage of their menstruating life without consolidating it into a long-standing problem.

What type of woman do you see

As far as I am concerned there are three different types: many are post-endometriosis in as much as they have had surgery and are still unwell; there are those who have been diagnosed with endometriosis and who are either dissatisfied with the treatment or who want to investigate further before making a decision about what they should do — hormone therapy, surgery, get pregnant or whatever; then there are those who have a vague suspicion they have endometriosis but have been told they were either imagining it or needed a holiday and consequently have decided to investigate further.

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Biotin

Bean sprouts, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, liver, meat, nuts, oatmeal, pecans, poultry, rice, saltwater fish, soybeans and wholegrains.

Choline

Brewer’s yeast, cereals, egg yolks, leafy greens, lecithin, legumes, liver, peanuts, wheat germ and wholegrain cereals.

Coenzyme QIO

Beef, broccoli, cabbage, egg yolks, leafy greens, mackerel, milk, oily fish, organ meats, peanuts, salmon, sardines, sesame oil, soybean oil, spinach, vegetable oils, wholegrains and yogurt.

Inositol

Beans, brewer’s yeast, cabbage, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, grapefruit, lecithin, legumes, lima beans, molasses, nuts, raisin, seeds, oats, wheat germ and wholegrains.

Vitamin A (Carotenes)

Apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, dark leafy greens, egg yolks, endive, fish and animal liver, fish oils, lettuce, mangoes, mint, papaya, peaches, prunes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and yams.

Vitamin ÂI (Thiamine)

Beef, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, dulse, egg yolks, fish, green vegetables, kelp, lean pork, legumes, liver, milk, nuts, oats, peanuts, peas, rice bran, soybeans, spirulina, torula yeast, wheatgerm and wholegrains.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Asparagus, avocadoes, beans, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, Brussels sprouts cashews and other nuts, fish, leafy greens, legumes, lentils, mushrooms, parsley, spinach, sprouted seeds, wild rice and yogurt.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Almonds, bran, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, brown rice, carrots, dandelion greens, fish, leafy greens, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, potatoes, poultry, salmon, sardines, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, wheatgerm and whole wheat products.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Avocadoes, brewer’s yeast, cashews, cereals, egg yolk, leafy green vegetables, meat, pecans, rice-bran, royal jelly, soybeans and wheatbran.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Brewer’s yeast, cereals, dried beans, fish, legumes, liver, millet, nuts, oats, organ meats, poultry, salmon, soy beans, tuna, walnuts, wheat germ, wholegrains and yogurt.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Almonds, asparagus, avocadoes, beetroot, broccoli, endive, fenugreek, leafy green vegetables, legumes, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, oranges, parsley, soybeans, sprouts, walnuts and wholegrains.

Vitamin Â12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Found mostly in meats. Small amounts are found in alfalfa, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, leafy greens, meats, milk, mushrooms, oysters, salmon, sardines, sea vegetables, seafood, soy products, spirulina and yogurt.

Vitamin Â15 (Pangamic Acid)

Apricot kernels, brewer’s yeast, maize, oats, pumpkin seeds, rice bran and wheat germ.

Vitamin Â17 (Bioflavonoids)

Apple seeds, apricot kernels, berries, blueberries, buckwheat, cranberries, grains, legumes, lima beans, linseed, millet, mung beans, nectarines, peaches, plums, prunes, raspberries and young shoots of plants.

Vitamin  Complex

Blackstrap molasses, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, sprouted seeds, wheatgerm and wholegrains.

Vitamin Ñ (Ascorbic Acid)

Apricot kernels, avocado, blackcurrants, broccoli, brown rice, cabbage, cheese, citrus fruits, guavas, nuts, oatbran, parsley, peppers, pineapple, potatoes, rosehips, sesame seeds, strawberries, sunflower seeds and wholegrains.

Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopherol)

Avocadoes, barley, cold pressed oils, corn, cotton seed oil, liver, nuts and seeds, oats, soy, sunflower seeds and wheatgerm.

Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids)

Cinnamon, cold pressed oils, corn, linseed oil, mustard seed oil, safflower, seaweed, soy, sunflower oil sunflower seeds and tofu.

• Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA, Omega-3) – canola oil, flaxseed oil, hempseed oil

• Linoleic Acid (LA, Omega-6) – evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, hempseed oil,

lard, safflower oil

• Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA, Omega-6) – blackcurrant seed oil, borage seed oil

• Eicosapentaenoic Acid/Docosahexaenoic (EPA/DHA) – cod, haddock, halibut,

herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines

Vitamin Ê (Menadione)

Brewer’s yeast, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chickpeas, molasses, seeds soybeans, sprouts (especially alfalfa) and turnip greens.

Vitamin U (Methylmethioninesulfonium Chloride)

Cabbage.

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