Now that August is here, many homeschooling parents are busy planning for the upcoming school year. I have been there! Pick and choose which curricula fit. Decide which topics to cover. Search online sources to decide which one to buy.
And I also realize that I don’t have enough money to buy all the luxury options that are available and that I want to use.
These are difficult times we live in. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet right now. As a homeschooling parent, the school curriculum can seem like a luxury.
With the rising cost of living, including healthcare, learning herbal medicine may not seem like a necessity, but now more than ever, herbal medicine is highly relevant to our lives.
Over the past few years I have seen my beloved passion evolve from fringe knowledge into mainstream consciousness and with it the capitalist base of people trying to sell exotic herbs because at the end of the day it is all herbal medicine, which often makes herbal medicine too expensive and seems too expensive. of range to learn and practice about.
But did you know that it is entirely possible to learn herbal medicine on a budget? We’ll get into that in a moment.
But first: why use herbs?
Herbal medicine, or the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, is considered “alternative medicine,” when the reality is that herbal medicine is the original form of human healing.
Today, at least 85% of all pharmaceutical products are derived from plant-based ingredients. That means that 85% or more of all medicines available today are thanks to a plant.
Although many pharmaceutical products are derived from plants, usually a few individual components are removed from a plant and synthesized to become just a trace of the original plant. This means that medicines are often stronger than herbs, but this is not without consequences.
Take willow bark or meadowsweet, for example. These plants contain salicylic acid, the main component of aspirin, which was once extracted from these plants but is now made from crude oil.
Salicylic acid in the form of aspirin is known to cause problematic side effects, such as stomach bleeding and ulcers, because that compound has been isolated and removed from the other compounds in the plant.
However, when using Willow, the salicylic acid is buffered by the other ingredients to help prevent and combat stomach bleeding and ulcers. It is even known to help cure these problems.
Plants are not only gentler and protective for the body, but they also remain resistant to bacterial strains. Have you ever heard of someone taking an antibiotic, but it failed and had to take a stronger antibiotic because the bacteria became resistant to the drug? When taking an herb that is an antibiotic, this does not happen.
And while we can have a reaction to an herb when we take it, just as we can have a reaction to a pharmaceutical drug when we take it, the chance of a strong reaction is much lower and often goes away quickly when you stop. taking.
Medicines can have stronger side effects and cause stronger reactions, taking the body much longer to process them.
Herbs generally do not react well with each other, although this can happen. But it is less common than when someone takes 3 or more drugs.
Another reason to choose herbs is the costs. Medicines can be extremely expensive, while herbs can be free if you know where and when to find them in nature.
Which brings us back to the topic of herbal medicine on a budget.
Are exotic herbs necessary?
Early on I alluded to the fact that like everything else in our society, people try to take advantage of herbal medicine, making exotic or foreign herbs sound better than the plants growing around us.
The truth is that the plants that grow around us are often better suited to us than those foreign herbs.
First, they are generally more plentiful and easier to find. And in the herbal world it is often said that plants come to you when you need them. I’ve seen this many times over the years, lamenting the fact that a certain plant wasn’t growing near me, even though I really had no use for it at the time, just to get a piece of it in my head appear. backyard right when I needed that plant.
Likewise, they have adapted to the same environment as you, so the natural biome is familiar to your body, making it easier to accept and use.
And while there is a time and place for exotic or foreign herbs that local herbs can’t help you with, even the most basic and simple herbs can often be quite effective.
Another good reason to focus on local plants is that you are guaranteed fresh herbs harvested at their peak rather than herbs harvested in bulk, regardless of whether they were ready to be harvested (or had been harvested long before must become). ), may have been sprayed with chemicals to keep insects out, and most likely sat on a shelf after months of drying before ever being shipped to the supplier, then left on the shelf for several more months before being sold to the consumer .
So while marketing may make these exotic herbs sound like a wonder plant, the truth is that local plants can be just as effective, if not more so, than herbs imported from all over the world.
Herbal medicine that won’t break the bank
So how can you teach kids herbal medicine without breaking the bank? It can seem very overwhelming to try to teach a subject that you may already be learning about, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
The easiest way to start using herbs is to learn about the plants growing in your backyard. Whether it’s your literal backyard, or a local green space, plants are popping up everywhere and many of them have medicinal value.
The first step is to identify the herbs. I suggest using several sources to reference and verify. There are several plant ID apps on mobile phones that can be a good starting point. In addition, look for some identification books at your local library, or ask them to order them for you if they are not available locally. Search for titles such as:
Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
Peterson’s Field Guides (regionally based)
but also be sure to look for plant id books specific to your region, preferably written by authors local to your area.
Once you think you have positively identified your plant, post it in a plant identification or herb group on social media and ask if everyone agrees that it is what you think it is.
Once you have a list of a few plants growing around you, you’re ready to get started!
Not sure what to study? You can download mine for free herbal profile template to give you ideas of what to look out for and learn more about.
You’ll want to read more about your plants and/or watch some videos where reputable herbalists talk about them. I don’t recommend simply searching online for information as what is written about them may be right or wrong. It is better to use herbal remedies from herbalists who have spent years studying and learning about the plants. Many herbalists such as Rosemary Gladstar, Matthew Wood and Gail Faith Edwards offer great herbal books. I have also written a few herbal books that you can find in my shop here. Many of these books can also be found through your library lending system.
By working with plants growing in your backyard and borrowing books from the library, you can create a very simple, budget-friendly curriculum.
Need more structure?
If you find this too overwhelming, please consider becoming a member Herb Club. For just $10 a month you can access dozens of herbal classes, many of which are easy to find nearby or easy to grow from seed.
In Herb Club, not only do you get a copy of the revised original ebooks, but you also get comprehensive curriculum ideas for all age levels, as well as video lessons that teach you about the plant through identification, botany, stories, drawing, tutorials and more.
When you become a member, you automatically have access to all available classes, so you can choose what works best for you and your family.
There is no obligation to remain a member and you can cancel your membership at any time. Annual and lifetime memberships are also available that offer more savings.
Teaching herbal medicine does not have to be expensive and can be a rewarding and enriching part of your children’s education. In addition to teaching your children about the uses of the plants that grow all around us, you’re also empowering them to take charge of their health and giving them tools they can use throughout their lives.