My husband Gavriel and I make the herbal products from plants that we either grow for this (no chemicals!), gather out in the woods around our house, or sometimes pick from gardens of friends (who also grow organically). The Homeopathic remedies are made from O.T.C. (commercial) Homeopathic remedies and a solution liquid, except for the Arnica Oil, which we make ourselves from wild arnica flowers that are picked for us fresh in the Colorado mountains by a dear friend. Until we get final word from the F.D.A. on how we must word our information to you, we would encourage you to get competent Medical advice for your health situations. If using homeopathics, we suggest that you get a good book to start, as there is much to learn about this wonderful treatment method. Better still would be to find a Homeopath. The National Center for Homeopathy has a very useful site. You can also ask me for a booklist recommendation if you are interested. Thank you, Lisa Goldstein.
Arnica Oil
This is the most successful of all of the things we make. It is quite remarkable for joint and muscle pain. For either new pain (from over use), injury/trauma, or older chronic pains. All are often greatly reduced after a few minutes when this is rubbed into the area. Bruised areas heal in days with arnica. Arnica flower medicines have been used for this, all over the world, for hundreds of years. I steep them in peanut oil, then add other oils that are good for the skin so that the oil absorbs well into the skin (sweet almond, sunflower, sunflower, avocado, canola, olive, grape seed, sesame oil, apricot oil, and well as fresh hypericum oil).
You can order Essential oil scents of: patchouli, lavender, rosemary, citrus blend, tangerine, or lemon-lime, or Fragrance oil scents: woodsy musk, musk dusk, rose musk, country spice, peachy-almond, freesia, almond, George’s Lust, cinnamon bun, vanilla, gardenia, rose, lavender and rose, jasmine, freesia, floral blend, lilac, orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose geranium, tropical rain or green forest (the most popular).
Available in 2 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., and 16 oz size bottles.
Bugg Away
Finally a safe, but effective insect repellent! It even has a nice smell to humans. Oil based so a little goes a long way and lasts a long time. Works on most kinds of biting insects. Safe for most children. It is oil based so avoid getting on your clothing.
Available in 2, 4, 8, and 16oz. bottles
Comfrey Salve
This is the best stuff I’ve ever used for healing up the sore nipples that some women get when getting started with lactation. It is also super to help heal almost any red, dry skin irritation: sunburn, diaper rash, psoriasis, bed sores, sore baby bottoms, even the itch of poison ivy and bug bites. A little goes a long way. It is made from fresh comfrey leaves, vegetable oil and a tiny bit of vitamin E to keep it fresh. Some herbalists feel that comfrey should not be used on the skin for longer than a few weeks. But usually a few days of treatment is all that you should ever need.
Available in 2, and 4 oz. plastic jars.
Green Goddess Butt Balm
This silly named liquid is great for the topical treatment of hemorrhoids, a common problem in pregnancy and after birth. The best relief is to use it chilled. Made from fresh plantain leaves, witch hazel and spring water.
Available in either 4 oz. and 8oz. bottles, or in jars of cotton balls saturated with soothing stuff, ready to use.
Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories
Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories - This is what your great grandmothers did for vaginal yeast infections. They didn’t have access to the creams we have but they did have something simple that worked VERY well. They had boric acid, it changes the Ph of the vagina, making it less hospitable to those nasty yeasty overgrowths. Usually inserting one before bedtime takes care of the problem. If needed, you can use them 3 nights in a row and works better and with far less mess than those expensive creams. They come 20 capsules to a package, and will stay fully useful for years.
Herbal Tinctures
All available in 1/2 and 1 oz. bottles. Sometimes certain herbal tinctures get sold out, and we will not have more until the next season the plants are growing again, then I have to tincture them, wait & strain it out before I have more to pour up in bottles. Please be patient if I run out. Thank you.
Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)- This tincture was made from a huge set of plants that my friend Jacquie grew on her mountain-top. I use it to help stubborn placentas to separate after the birth. Usual dose: 1-2 dropperfuls in 1 oz. water, (repeat if needed). In rare situations placentas need surgical assistance to be removed. Postpartum hemorrhage can be a life threatening emergency.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)- Used as a calmative for stomach trouble, often helps pregnant nausea, when nothing else seems to help. If the person is not helped with their dehydration get medical attention.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)- Usually used alternating with Blue Cohosh to help make labor contractions more efficient. It usually cannot be depended on to do this unless the pregnancy & baby are ready. It tastes like dirt and I feel that the Homeopathic form seems to work better (called Cimicifuga rac.).
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) - Again used as above, to help with labor contraction efficiency. Blue and Black Cohosh can be either given alternately or combined. In Homeopathic form this goes by the Botanical name Caulophyllum thalictroides.
Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) - Very useful for after-birth pains and menstrual cramps. Do not start it until about 8 hours after birth, use uterine massage first. The uterus will need to clamp down on its own well first, so the bleeding is reduced. Use 1-2 drops under the tongue as needed. Also good for belly upsets.
Catnip (Napeta cataria) - A classic cure for colic, but the most common use for this one is to help with better sleep! This is the remedy to use when you lie in bed and your body is exhausted, but your brain won’t shut off so that you can get some sleep! One of the nice things about catnip is that you wake up refreshed, not hung over in any way. Use 2 drops under the tongue, repeat in 5 minutes, if not asleep by then.
Colic Mix - This is a combination of the classic digestive-calming herbs: catnip, chamomile, peppermint, and fennel seed (this last one, the best for "lower end” gas problems). Usually 4-6 drops in a teaspoon of water is all that's needed. Good idea to use hot water and wait for it to cool, so that most of the alcohol evaporates out when using for babies. Repeat as needed. Also good for belly aches on older than baby aged folks, use 2 drops under the tongue, or 8-15 drops in 1 oz. of water, as needed.
Cramp Mix - Made with the best anti-cramp herbs that I have: chamomile, catnip and ironweed (Vernonia glauca), they seem to work better in unison than they do individually. Great for after birth pains (wait at least 6 hours postpartum to be sure the uterus stays hard to avoid the risk of excessive bleeding). Also really wonderful for menstrual cramps. Usually 3 drops under the tongue is all that is needed, repeat if necessary. It will usually work within a few minutes.
"Drops of Light" - A recipe that I learned from famous Naturopath Dr. Bill Mitchell, is used for mild to moderate depression. They have become very popular as they change one’s perspective rapidly. Made from the roots of: wild yam, licorice, black cohosh and horseradish. Use 1-2 drops under the tongue. The name was suggested by a customer. This is not a substitute for professional care, but can be very useful when needed.
Iron Weed (Veronia glauca)- this tall majestic plant’s blooms mean that summer is over for me. But the blossoms are a wonderful rich purple color. It also helps with uterine cramping, so I have included it in my Cramp Mix but also available by itself if you want some.
Mullein Leaf (Verbascum thapsus)- these fuzzy leaves contain a plant form of theophylline (the powerful bronchodialator), so a few drops of this tincture usually helps to make breathing easier within minutes, for colds & respiratory difficulties.
Senecio aureus - This is the one that I learned from Susan Weed, the Master Herbalist. You only use the blooms for this tincture. Is is a powerful female hormone regulator, whether you have terrible cramps, bad symptoms from menopause or you want to use it in labor to amplify contractions. If you are using it as a hormonal regulator it will take a while, as it works to correct the imbalance. Usually it is used for 3 months (taken only in the last 2 weeks of the menstrual cycle) and then not needed for a year or more. Best to avoid getting pregnant when taking Senecio to be on the safe side. If used to amplify contractions, you'll use about five drops under the tongue. Contractions will usually become stronger within minutes, repeat as needed. --Do not use this plant if you have liver disease, or are possibly in early pregnancy, as it is unclear if it could be harmful in these conditions.
Sleep Mix #1 - Most of the time catnip is all that is needed when people have trouble sleeping, but sometimes, for some people, it is not enough. I encourage folks to try the catnip first, then if needed, use a sleep mix (made from catnip, hops & valerian). Sleep mix may make you feel a little groggy in the morning. Catnip, by itself, doesn’t do this. Use 2 drops under tongue, or 4-6 drops in a little water, if you don't like the strong taste of the valerian.
Sleep Mix #2 - This recipe uses camomile instead of the hops, for those who prefer it. There is a possibility that long term use of hops can increase the symptom of some depression for some people. Please be sure to ask for which recipe you want when you order.
Tension Headache Mix - I took my three favorite herbs for skeletal muscle tension, and put them together for help with tension headaches: Skullcap, Hypericum & Motherwort. Usually 1 to 2 dropper fulls are used in an ounce or so of water, ans sipped. Results are usually within about 20 minutes, repeat as needed. I used to have headaches sometimes part way through conferences, mental overload I guess. If I put a dropperful of this in a pint of water & sip all day I do not get them.
Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa) - I have had some pretty amazing results with this plant when used for stopping premature labor, and threatened miscarriages. You know that some can’t be stopped, no matter what you do. Be sure to get medical evaluation if you think that these things are happening, as often help early in the situation is the most useful. Waiting too long for care may be too late to help. Most of the time 2 drops under the tongue when contractions are felt is all that is needed, often works well enough that things stop after 1 or 2 doses. Do not delay with making contact with medical care if your results are not this quick. Do not use past 36 weeks of pregnancy, or the chance of a prolonged pregnancy may exist. This is my husband Gavriel’s pet plant, he finds it wherever he goes. He’s even found some 100 year old roots in the woods. This is becoming an endangered plant, so use with respect, and reason.
Yellow Root - This is a very strong tincture, with dramatic results. It helps with nausea, morning sickness of pregnancy, vomiting, motion sickness and sour stomach and indigestion. This quiet little plant grows wild beside the creek, down the hill from our house. The intense yellow of its color is evident in the tincture. Usually one drop under the tongue is all that is needed. Repeat when & if you need it. A ½ oz. bottle will last you a very long time, so don’t bother with a whole ounce unless you are a midwife and will need that much over the years (or have a big family).
Homeopathics
All available in 1/2 and 1 oz. bottles.
Arnica - Amazing stuff for tissue trauma, bruising, swelling injuries due to giving birth or otherwise.
Aconite - Used especially for situations of emotional upset or fear, panic, fear of tests, also symptoms of sudden onset, like sudden earache or cough.
Apis - For bee or insect stings and hives. Be aware that medical emergencies need to be treated medically but you could use this on the way to medical care and often reduce the discomforts of the problem.
Carbo. Veg. - To reduce exhaustion, both mental and physical.
Ledum- For the itching from bug bites, also to help puncture wounds to heal well.
Kali. Bichrom. - Usually helps sinus trouble within minutes.
Kali. Mur. - Usually helps stuffy nasal congestion situations quickly.
Rhus Tox - Used for poison ivy and oak, can help to heal it up. My sons would use it if they were going to be exposed to poison ivy to keep from getting it (take a few drops 2 times a day for this).
Surgical Repair Mix - It has Arnica (for tissue damage), Hypericum (for pain), Symphytum (for soft tissue repair) and Staphysagria (for help after surgery). People really like the way it works. Repeat as needed, for relief and to assist the healing of tissues. Take 2 drops under the tongue.
Homeopathic Remedy Birth Kit - The kit contains 4 remedies made by Washington Homeopathics. The pellets are very tiny so there are about 70+ doses in one small vial. They come in a small baggie with basic directions and the remedies are: Arnica (for tissue trauma or swelling), Aconite (for panic or fear), Carbo Veg. (for exhaustion or need of oxygen) and Caulophyllum (to help labor progress) and all are in 30C potency. These little kits are $18 plus postage as listed on the order form.
Books
I travel some and lecture to groups, here are two of the books that are often used at these lectures.
Childbirth Class Book - This is a book that I've compiled over 36 years of teaching childbirth classes. It’s now over 125 pages, in a loose leaf notebook. Information about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation and more, with useful suggestions, and birth class format lessons. It.s the book I use in my own childbirth classes, a combination of what I’ve learned in over 48 years of helping women have their babies. The book is $35.
Herbals and Homeopathics in Women's Health and Infant Care - I originally put some of this information together for a workshop I did in Dallas TX for the ACNM Convention in May of 1995, it was expanded for the 1st US Waterbirth Conference in Greensboro, NC in 1996, then more has been added over the years. It’s now 80 pages of information about herbal and homeopathic solutions to problems in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation, infant care and menopause. It comes in a looseleaf notebook for $22.