I'm brand new to Lactnet. I've been "logged-on" now for a few hours.  Since
my first day on Lactnet is also the first day of WBW, I decided to post the
several thoughts which came to mind as I read the 11 digests I received. 
First, an introduction might be appropriate -- I am Teresa Brouillette-Wade
BS, UCLA-CLE.  I am also an "apprentice" herbalist.  I take a great deal of
interest in the posts (or any discussion) on herbs or natural, alternative
remedies - in general - and specifically in pregnancy and lactation.  

I'm intrigued by the post from Pam Wiggins about her 25 year old son whose
doctor (upon the urging of Pam) "prescribed" breastmilk for his undiagnosed
illness.  To me,  this is clearly a case of a person's body being starved
for natural (no additives), whole (unrefined-nothing removed-no isolated
components), organic (pesticide free) food - which is what breastmilk is. 
As an apprentice herbalist, I also understand that herbs can provide the
same kind of nutrition.

I think the biggest key to understanding the role of herbs (and breastmilk,
and other natural remedies) in the whole wellness picture is that they are
whole, natural food.  It is the sum of the parts which is important.  We
understand the concept that the bioavalability of nutrients varies with the
type of food the nutrient comes from.  Case in point:  both human milk and
cow milk have similarly low concentrations of iron but, the iron in human
milk is five times more bioavailable than the iron in cow milk.

We tend to forget the concept that our bodies are well when they are well
nourished.  When our bodies have ABSORBED all the nutrients, or "building
blocks" they need - they can effectively fight disease, eliminate waste,
build and repair cell tissue.  When our bodies do not have access to
adequate amounts of the right kinds of nutrients from bioavailable sources,
the body becomes stressed or weakened.  Elimination of waste or toxins
becomes more difficult and the body's efficiency in this process is
compromised.  When this occurs, illness follows.

There is plenty of research out there to support this theory as it applies
to human infants and the type of food they receive.  None of us have any
trouble accepting that "Breastfed babies are Healthier babies."  We
understand that not only does formula fail to provide key components such
as growth factors, enzymes and hormones.  It is also a source of allergenic
material in the form of non-human protein.  An antigen is any substance in
the body which does not belong there.  Breastmilk belongs in human babies
and prior to the age of about six months nothing else does.  Introduction
of any food or drink other than breastmilk prior to the child's digestive
system's ability to metabolize and it's immune system's ability to properly
screen, is an antigen.

As humans mature and age, their bodies have varying degrees of efficiency
in metabolism of nutrients.  The immune system also experiences
fluctuations in its ability to adequately protect the body from disease
and/or environmental toxins.  The sad reality of our modern world is that
toxins are all too present and that really nutritious food in not readily
available.  Our hectic lifestyle has us eating greater quantities of
processed, refined foods laden with pesticides and devoid of the full
complement of nutrition that nature intended.  It is no wonder that the
Center for Disease Control has recorded a 20% increase in hospitalizations
due to "undiagnosed illness" in the past five years.

These "undiagnosed illnesses" all have symptoms relating to the body's
compromised eliminatory function.  Symptoms include: asthma (the lungs
inability to eliminate waste and toxins through exhalation), eczema and
hives (the skins inability to  adequately eliminate toxins through sweat),
diarrhea (elimination of toxins via the intestines) and vomiting
(elimination of toxins via the gastro-esophogea route).  When these
symptoms are chronic and with no apparent cause, one can reasonably suspect
the body is having difficulty (to say the least) in eliminating toxins
which have entered the body in any number of ways.  The body needs to be
fed whole, natural, organic food so that it will have the maximum
absorption of the nutrients it needs to repair and build tissue and
function of tissue. 

It is with all of this in mind that I am not at all surprised that Pam's
son recovered after receiving human milk.  What we would all do well to
understand is that appropriate herbs could have done the same thing for
him.

Herbs are plants which (when grown and handled according to organic
standards) provide specific nutritional building blocks to the body for
specific  stresses/weaknesses, or processes it might be experiencing
(including the process of lactation).   These nutritional elements are
delivered to the body via the bioavailability which  whole food provides.  

I 'm delighted that herbs are mentioned so frequently on lactnet and
elsewhere.  Interest in herbs is certainly growing and with good reason.  I
urge all of us to continue to learn about specific herbs and how they are
used.  I hope that this lengthy post is helpful in getting you to be as
comfortable with herbs and natural remedies as we all are with breastmilk
and breastfeeding: nature's way.

Naturally and sincerely

Teresa Brouillette-Wade BS, CLE