Alternative Healing

[LaDaya]

I have an interest in Herbal healing and was wondering the best way to get into it. I have several books on herbal remedies and alternative healing but wasn't sure what else I could do to help me learn and get experience. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

[Aventurine]

My suggestion? Clearly label your -all- herbs when you plant! ;) When I first started my herb garden, I forgot to label the St. John's Wort and, being the blond that I am, accidentally pulled it a few days later - thinking it was a weed.

- Aventurine

[LaDaya]

I want to start a garden but unfortunately at this time I live in a small apt with a roommate who has a big dog. So at this time I can't have a garden but I do plan to move in the next few months and hopefully I can find a place affordable that has enough room where I can start a garden or even a few potted plants.

[Aventurine]

Originally posted by LaDaya
I want to start a garden but unfortunately at this time I live in a small apt with a roommate who has a big dog. So at this time I can't have a garden but I do plan to move in the next few months and hopefully I can find a place affordable that has enough room where I can start a garden or even a few potted plants.

A friend of mine had the same space problem. Her solution was hanging plants - she bought large plastic plant hangers and planted three to four herbs in each one, hanging them in front of her windows. They're up high, so they don't take up much essential space.

- Aventurine

[Amora]

If it's herbal healing you're interested in try looking into your family's past for "old fashioned" remedies. I lucked out that way when I found out I come from a family of fortune telling gypsies and my great Grandma had some really cool remedies. If finances allow you could also try traveling to other civilizations where shamans and professional herbal healers still practice. Someone my mother just met is an Herbalist and she travels to some country (can't remember where) but there she stays with a practicing shaman for a few days at a time and she swears this is the best way to learn.

Hope I was of some help!!!

[mythril]

I sympathise with u laDaya.

I also have a large amount of info but i would prefer to be taught by someone who has been using herbs and such for years

[LaDaya]

I have books galore on healing both with herbs and other methods... the problem is I have trouble with growing plants because of the living situation.. I will have to talk to my roomie see if the hanging plant idea will go with her. Anyway, I don't know my dad's side of the family very well but I do know that I can't even mention anything about herbal remedies, paganism, alternative healing, witchcraft, or anything remotely similar without getting a good ol' fashioned sermon on devil worshipping. So they are out. And my mom's side from what I know a generation back they were into mysticism and all that but they are all dead so I can't talk to them and the younger generation is same as my dad's family. So I don't have anyone I'm related to that is into any of this. I don't have the money to travel and I'm sure there has to be someone in the city of Houston that practices herbal remedies and such without charging a great deal because of my finances but I can't seem to find them. I had a hard enough time trying to find a study group to help with the studying and practicing part of my chosen faith. So I have the books and I want to learn but I want to have some interaction from someone experienced so I don't accidentally poison myself or someone else with one of my homegrown concoctions.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

I understand your problem. It takes years to learn herbal healing, I recently took a quick class on it, just like an overview. Some midwives know alot about that, My teacher's did.It looks like when you get sick or whatever just mix something up and see how it works. I know where you kind buy herbs to ingest in Houston. I'll look it up and post it. I think its almost impossible to grow alot more than the basics in your home so I think your best bet is buying them.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

OK looked it up om yahoo yellow pages, I love it, its so quick.

Wild Earth Herbs
2611 Grant St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 524-0388
http://www.wildearthherbs.com

They are near the Magick Cauldron, if you know where that is. and it looks like they have a website, I didn't know that I'll have to have a look at it. You can ask there if they know of any teaching programs. The restaurant next door is very good too.

[LaDaya]

Yes, I know where the Magick Cauldron is. I go there fairly often. I will go check this place out when I have money to go. Thank you for the site.

[belladonna23]

LaDaya,
Your question was kind of broad, and I don't really know how to answer it without rambling, but if there's anything I can do to help, I'd love to. I've only begun to learn the magickal properties of herbs the past year or so, but I have been practicing herbal/ homeopathic healing- on myself, not professionally ;) - and might be able to help you find answers to some of your questions. Either post them here, or feel free to send me an e-mail!

[LaDaya]

Thank you. I don't really have any specific questions right now. I am still very new at this and have been trying to learn a little more about herbal and alternative healing. Right now, I don't know the questions I need to ask but as I figure them out I will let you know. Thanks again for the offer.

[aquinnah]

a woman who works with me is an herbalist and can be reached at www.Timelessremedies.com. Her name is Bek and her site may be helpful. If you e-mail her she can give you more resources than I can. Keeping it green.... Aquinnah

[idusty88]

You will be a very lucky person if you can find a local teacher of herbology; I wish you that luck.
I have seen ads for distance learning courses in Herbology in the back of magazines like Natural Health, but I don't personally know which may be good and which might not be so good. Here is an article on the subject: http://www.consciouschoice.com/herbs/herbs115.html .
One reputable place to get info from is the Herb Research Foundation at: http://www.herbs.org/ . I find the stuff there to be very good and up to date.