[MPWG] Can't say whether size matters or not, but knowledge matters

Mon Nov 2 15:54:45 CST 2009

Thank you for the replies, I should have been more specific.

To clarify

What I object to is that plants get labeled as a ----- plant. For example St
John's Wort - the anti-depressant plant. We know it does enhance mood in
some people but primarily its traditional use is for improving liver
function, as a healer etc.

To label a plant an 'aphrodisiac' is to diminish it to drug-like status like
'Viagra'.

If there is a real endocrine dysfunction or other sexual issues then the
treatment approach by a holistic practitioner reflects that person's
particular health scenario. 

To label a plant as this or that reduces its unique contribution to healing.

To give a more precise example:

Avena sativa was advertised here as the herbal 'Viagra'.

Well it isn't - what it does do is provides a source of bio-available silica
that is an important constituent in ALL connective tissues and especially
for the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerves. As a part of its effect on
the whole body it also improves erectile function as well as being calming.
To just focus on the erectile function diminishes its extraordinary effect
on the whole body. Not only that but it is how to use it. Tinctures will not
do it but a decoction will. And further it is about the quantity used in the
decoction and how much is consumed. 

I recently wrote a paper on 'The Plant/Person Relationship in Healing' that
explored the many facets of a plant's unique expression and how each of
these contributes to healing. To reduce any plant to one or two actions
perpetuates the linear reductionist view that is used in the hope of
bringing something virtually unfathomable into our comprehension. 

Ka kite,

Isla

Isla Burgess

Director

International College of Herbal Medicine

18B Sirrah St

Wainui, Gisborne, New Zealand

#6468630048

#6468630046 Fax

www.HerbCollege.com

isla at HerbCollege.com 

  _____  

From: Beth Judy [mailto:beth.judyjudyjudy at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, 3 November 2009 8:38 a.m.
To: Terressentials
Cc: Isla Burgess; pankaj oudhia; mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Can't say whether size matters or not, but knowledge
matters

Well said, Diana. I appreciate Isla's concern. "Aphrodisiac" can be a
popular hook that in the end, helps put herbs, in many reasonable people's
minds, on that shelf labeled "quackery." But clinically they can be as much
a godsend as remedies for any other illnesses.

Thank you. 

-- 
Beth Judy
www.floradelaterre.com
406-728-2977

On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 12:22 PM, Terressentials
<terressentials at mailworks.org> wrote:

Hi, Isla.

Am I interpreting your email correctly to understand that you believe
that we should not use this forum to discuss herbals that have the
potential to stimulate sexual desire?  If this is not your opinion, then
please excuse my misunderstanding and disregard this email.

However, if this is your opinion then, with all due respect, I beg to
disagree.  While I do agree with your premise that sexual desire
involves not just physical health and well-being, but also how a partner
in the relationship is being treated and respected, at times there is an
underlying physiological imbalance that an "aphrodisiac" might be able
to correct.  Sexual desire, along with the ability to enjoy sex and
experience sexual fulfillment are normal physiological functions, and I
believe that healers should be able to use all available methods to help
their patients achieve full and normal functioning of their bodies so
that the individual can have balance -- good health and peace of mind.

Over the years, I have heard from many women of a wide range of ages --
30's, 40', 50' and up -- who suffer from endocrine malfunction with
decreased energy and libido.  Many are depressed because of their lack
of energy and because they have little or no sexual desire.  If there is
real endocrine dysfunction and not just a situational or behavioral
problem, then adjustment of diet -- foods and herbs -- should be
investigated.  If there are herbs that are being safely used to help
women (or men) with this condition then I, for one, would welcome
learning more about them.

I would like to say, however, that I am not speaking of using herbals
for ego-boosting, vanity or purely recreational purposes, I am speaking
of herbals as treatments for legitimate clinical diagnoses of endocrine
malfunction or problematic menopause issues.

Kind regards,

Diana Kaye

----- Original message -----
From: "Isla Burgess" <isla at herbcollege.com>
To: "'pankaj oudhia'" <pankajoudhia at yahoo.com>,
mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 19:50:36 +1300
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Can't say whether size matters or not,      but
knowledge matters

Nga Mihi to all,

As a medical herbalist with a clinical practice spanning 30 years I find
myself 'reacting' to the idea of a plant or drug being used as an
'Aphrodisiac'.

The need for such a plant (or drug) is many layered and multifaceted.

It involves not just physical health and wellbeing but how a partner in
a relationship is being treated and respected.

I am not sure that this Discussion Group is a vehicle for this type of
discussion.

Ka kite,

IslA

Isla Burgess

Director

International College of Herbal Medicine

18B Sirrah St

Wainui, Gisborne, New Zealand
#6468630048

#6468630046 Fax

www.HerbCollege.com

isla at HerbCollege.com

 _____

From: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:mpwg-
bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of pankaj oudhia Sent:
Sunday, 1 November 2009 6:40 p.m. To:
mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org Subject: [MPWG] Can't say whether
size matters or not, but knowledge matters

Dear Group Members,

     The new documents in series titled "Excerpts from my field diary
     (July 2009 onwards)" are now online. Please visit these links.

Art of using Aphrodisiac

Traditional Agricultural Knowledge, Dhekna Booti and Pest Management

http://www.pankajoudhia.com/newwork11.html

Updated versions of old research documents

http://www.pankajoudhia.com/newwork12.html

Keep talking and let me guess the herbs you are taking

Combination of Six types of Medicinal Rice and its use as "Panacea"

http://www.pankajoudhia.com/newwork13.html

Let's form task force under leadership of Dr. M. Mahadevappa and
experts like him

Can't say whether size matters or not, but knowledge matters

Reap actual benefit from tree plantations: Example of Gardi

http://www.pankajoudhia.com/newwork14.html

Pankaj Oudhia

[Give me space, I will enrich your knowledge.]

 _____

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