R – The Master Book of Herbalism
Posted by Morrighan on June 1, 2000 at 1:56 am | Last modified: October 13, 2006 1:59 amBy Jodi Lee
Originally published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)
Author: Paul Beyerl
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing
ISBN: 0-919345-53-0
Published: This edition published 1996 – Copyright is Paul Beyerl 1984
Pages: 415
In the Introduction to this massively informative book, the author states -
“It is far from complete, being the first attempt at taking my own, personal herbal which I have assembled through these years and making it available to the general public.”
If this book is not complete (and I seem to recall seeing a new, updated version at Phoenix Publishing), I would dearly love to sit at Mr.Beyerl’s knee and learn what is not included in the book. From abdominal pain to wounds, Aconite to yarrow, potions, lotions, oils and balms – it’s covered in the book. Sections are marked for easy reference, and there are may tables of correspondences to cross reference bits of information. Even crystals and stones to work with the herbs are covered.
I was amazed. I have to admit that after reading other herbals over the last few years, I was expecting much the same information as the rest – and this book is definitely above the rest! It is easy to see that Mr.Beyerl put a great deal of time, love and experience into this project, it shines through. His usage of both Anglican and American English with variant spellings of words adds such character to this book….it’s like stepping in and out of a time machine, seeing the healer of the past blended with the healer of the present.
Section 4 (beginning on page 171) is the Dosage Guide for The Remedial Herbal. I begin my excerpt with paragraph four, and although I cannot list every herb he has described with their respective usage and dosage, I will pick one or two from each alphebetical listing and include them here.
**NEVER take any herbal remedy without the supervision of a Doctor or Homeopathic/Holistic Practitioner**
Infusion
Strong
1 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 20 minues
Moderate
2/3 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 20 minutes
Weak(tea)
1/2 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 15 minutes
Decoction
Strong
1 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 10 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Moderate
2/3 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 10 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Weak(tea)
1/3 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 8 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Poultice
1/2 ounce herbs
1/2 cup boiling water
steep 20 minutes
Ointment
1 ounce herbs
16 ounces fixative
heat on & off 24 hours
Wash
Strong
1/2 ounce herb
1 pint water
steep until lukewarm
Moderate
1/3 ounce herb
1 pint water
steep until lukewarm
* * *
Aconite -
Internal use; in extreme emergency only; moderate infusion. Administer no more than 1/2 cup while awaiting emergency medical assistance and report herbal dosage to medics.
External use: decrease amount of herb to 1/2 ounce and macerate into ointment. Apply once or twice daily.
Anise -
Internal use: all conditions: moderate infusion, as needed.
External use: antiseptic: use commercial oil, dilute in three parts fixative oil, use as needed. To clean fresh wound, use pure oil.
Balm -
Internal: moderate infusion, as needed not to exceed one pint per day.
Benzoin -
Internal: use commercial tincture, administer as needed via vaporizer.
External: use one part tincture to two parts sterile water, use as needed. If you must use the herb, make a weak decoction.
Catnip -
Internal use, for all conditions: moderate to strong infusion, depending upon taste. Take as needed.
Cloves -
Internal, for the stomach, etc: weak infusion as needed.
External, for toothaches, pain: apply commercial oil being careful to avoid skin.
Dandelion -
Internal: moderate infusion of leaves, or moderate decoction of roots. Take 1/4 cup three times daily, and monitor condition for aperient effects.
External: fresh juice applied as needed is best; strong wash may also be used as needed.
Docks -
Internally for diarrhea, etc: moderate decoction of root. Internally for liver, etc., weak infusion of ground root. Take no more than 1/3 cup three times daily.
Elm, Slippery -
Internally: strong decoction, use as needed.
Externally: strong decoction or poultice, as needed.
Eyebright -
Internally: moderate to strong infusion, taken as needed. Do not continue for more than four days.
Fennel -
Internally: weak to moderate infusion, as needed.
Feverfew -
Internally: moderate to strong infusion. Take as needed, but monitor for aperient effects.
Garlic -
Internally: moderate infusion, as needed.
Externally: use fresh juice as needed.
Golden Rod -
Internally, moderate infusion as needed. Monitor for aperient effects.
Externally, poultice ointment or fresh herb as needed.
Hawthorn -
Internal use for all conditions: moderate infusion, 1/3 cup three times daily.
Hyssop -
Internal use, all conditions: moderate to strong infusion, taken as needed.
Ivy -
Internal use, avoid berries: moderate infusion, 1/3 cup daily, not to exceed three days.
External use: make liniment at same strength as ointment strength, and use as needed.
Kava Kava -
Internal use: decoction at mderate strength, take 1/2 cup three times daily, and monitor system for effects. Lower does if necessary. Discontinue after three days.
I am leaving off here, as I am running out of word space (grin). However, I will be working on seperate pages for the articles, and will continue on and post the URL in the discussion board at a future time. Do go and find the book though, it is an excellent reference!
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
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