Hi Everybody:
  Here'e my .02 about herbs. In my capacity as medical liaison to the local
nursing mothers' support group, I have received many calls about herbs,
homeopathic tinctures and other treatments that people can do themselves.
People think when they are taking things that they can buy over the counter
that it is safe; it isn't. Herbs, homeopathic remedies, flower essences, and
essential oils are all medicines. They deserve to be treated with the respect
and seriousness of any medicine.
    My suggestion to the mothers that call me is to self-treat for conditions
that are short-term...I wouldn't want to see a doctor for every cold and ache
or pain that I get. I want the right to self treat. But if someone is seeking
treatment for a chronic or long-term condition, as, for example St. John's
Wort for depression, I recommend seeking the help of a qualified, experienced
herbalist or naturopath or other health care professional. A long-term
condition always benefits by a number of opinions. If a mother is calling me,
saying she is depressed....how is one to know if she is anemic or hypothyroid
or a single mother with three kids and no help? So recommend contact with a
trained professional, rather than self-treating.
     The other element of depression is that it can be a symptom of a life
incompatible
with one's soul. The depression is a messenger. At a conference once, someone
tossed out the fact that as many as 70% of women in the US are depressed at
one time or another. That is a horrendous situation. What about our lives
makes us down? What is wrong with our society that so many women are down?
       Warmly, Nikki