Hi All!
I've been reading all of your posts on the subject with a great amount of
interest.  I suppose it is time for me to speak up.
Herbs are medicines - absolutely, some of the most powerful wonderful
medicines available to man or woman!
I hear how frustrated you are with the lack of information printed on
labels etc. and I understand.  Most companies out there will tout the best
of the best about a particular herbal remedy and not discuss the possible
downsides - that's what marketing is all about.  It is the same with quick
foods at the grocery store - talk about what's good about a product, people
will believe it and buy it.  These are exactly the reasons why it is so
important to either contact a professional that has been properly trained
in the use of herbal therapies, or get a really well written book (or 5)
<grin> and start your own study.  I believe that there are far too many
"armchair herbalists" out there that can cause people harm with their
uneducated suggestions.  For example, a woman that I know of was having
problems with an extremely heavy period; she was told by an untrained
person to take "Motherwort".  Although this herb sounds quite a bit like
the remedy that should have been taken, its effect is exactly opposite.
Mugwort is what should have been recommended; it is for excessive menstrual
bleeding; Motherwort on the other hand is a uterine stimulant used to bring
on a delayed period.  Just one example of the dangers involved.  However, I
also need to note that herbals are wonderful, natural alternatives to
synthetic medications and artificial drugs.  Side effects caused by
prescription medications have been noted in recent studies as being the 4th
leading killer in the U.S.  So, I would always rather see a person,
especially a bf mom taking a natural remedy than something synthetic.  It's
just very important to make sure that you get the right information.  This
is why I have my 800# available to people.  I don't charge anything to
answer a quick question on a particular herbal, I just think that it is
important for people to have a resource where they can get their questions
answered.  However, I can't offer information to people who don't ask
questions.
As far as being unsure about what is really in a remedy, this is exactly
why I prepare all of my herbals by hand.  Many companies out there have to
use certain fillers etc. in their formulas, just to get the powders to go
through the machinery.  When a product is hand packed, you don't have that
problem.  It really is about finding a reputable source for the purchase of
and information on herbal therapies.
I'm thinking about the best way to make information available to people
interested in learning more.  Maybe a chat or a forum of some sort.  What
do you all think?
Please feel free to make use of my 800 line, if you're out of the country,
you can reach me at 520-634-0078, or be e-mail; also, in the next week, my
website will have a separate page for feedback and asking questions.
Wishing you health and wellness!

Tami Karnes,                            One With Nature
Certified Herbalist                     P.O. Box 1724
Sedona, AZ                              Sedona, AZ  86339-1724
[log in to unmask]                      (800) 230-5166
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   Check out my Web site at http://www.onewithnature.net
   offering a complete line of hand prepared herbal therapies
   free catalog available upon request
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