Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 Do any of the naturopaths or western trained herbalists know about using chaparral for uterine fibroids and cystic breasts? Thanks. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 Chapparal, being quite bitter, cold, and toxic, would be most appropriate for heat conditions, and the doses should be very small because of documented liver toxicity. I'd use it in small amounts in combination with other medicinals, especially blood movers, because of its great strength. It also seems to have strong blood-moving properties of its own. I learned to use this herb from a New Mexico herbalist, Senor Lujan, who used it successfully for rheumatic conditions by making herbal baths with the branches of the plant. It is also good for skin infections and insect bites. On Friday, December 27, 2002, at 11:56 AM, Julie Chambers wrote: > Do any of the naturopaths or western trained herbalists know about > using > chaparral for uterine fibroids and cystic breasts? > > Thanks. > > Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 thank you. I began to get that understanding myself after doing more research. The patient who asked me about it had received advice from a non-herbalist, an astrologist in fact. Now that was the good old days, when one never prescribed without a detailed understanding of the astronomical correlations to the disease process ;-) -- Greek, Unani, medieval western, Ayurvedic, and Chinese. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 , " " < zrosenbe@s...> wrote: > Chapparal, being quite bitter, cold, and toxic, would be most > appropriate for heat conditions, and the doses should be very small > because of documented liver toxicity. I'd use it in small amounts in > combination with other medicinals, especially blood movers, because of > its great strength. i agree with everything z'ev said about chapparal except to add that it is too strong to be used cavalierly for diseases like fibroids (it makes little sense to me for its use in fibrocystic breasts at all). It would seem to be similar to clear heat and toxin herbs in its nature and thus should be reserved for use when this pattern complicates this illness (which is rare, in my experience). It may have a reputation as a specific for some tumorous conditions, but I actually think it is more appropriate and was historically used for malignant tumors like breast cancer and uterine cancer, not benign lumps like fibroids. In malignancy, its antitoxin properties make more sense. this is a good example of integrating carefully. If I had not studied western herbology, I would not use this herb at all. and then I would always consider its nature beyonds its indications. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 I agree with everything you've said here, Todd. This herb should not be used routinely for fibroids or fibrocystic breasts. Using methods of combining medicinals in a prescription may allow it to be used in small amounts, as you pointed out, with discharge and toxic heat. We have to be careful with symptomatic use of herbs for medical conditions. Interestingly, according to Michael Moore, while some studies showed anti-cancer qualities to chapparal, some studies showed that it stimulated cancer cell growth. These days, I recommend it be used topically or in baths, rather than for internal use. It is very good applied to weeping sores that don't heal. I have in the past used Isatis Gold from Health Concerns for wind-heat attacks, which contains chapparal, and found it effective. Because of concerns with chapparal of liver toxicity, and concerns of specific interaction with Chinese medicinals, I tend to avoid its internal use now. On Friday, December 27, 2002, at 01:49 PM, < wrote: > i agree with everything z'ev said about chapparal except to add that > it is too > strong to be used cavalierly for diseases like fibroids (it makes > little sense to > me for its use in fibrocystic breasts at all). It would seem to be > similar to clear > heat and toxin herbs in its nature and thus should be reserved for use > when > this pattern complicates this illness (which is rare, in my > experience). It may > have a reputation as a specific for some tumorous conditions, but I > actually > think it is more appropriate and was historically used for malignant > tumors like > breast cancer and uterine cancer, not benign lumps like fibroids. In > malignancy, its antitoxin properties make more sense. this is a good > example > of integrating carefully. If I had not studied western herbology, I > would not use > this herb at all. and then I would always consider its nature beyonds > its > indications. > > todd > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 thank you. I began to get that understanding myself after doing more research. The patient who asked me about it had received advice from a non-herbalist, an astrologist in fact. Julie had written: > i agree with everything z'ev said about chapparal except to add that it is too > strong to be used cavalierly for diseases like fibroids (it makes little sense to > me for its use in fibrocystic breasts at all). It would seem to be similar to clear > heat and toxin herbs in its nature and thus should be reserved for use when > this pattern complicates this illness (which is rare, in my experience). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 Will, say what you say, but an astrologist should not be prescribing medicine! I know you were tongue-in-cheek! Julie Now that was the good old days, when one never prescribed without a detailed understanding of the astronomical correlations to the disease process ;-) -- Greek, Unani, medieval western, Ayurvedic, and Chinese. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 , Julie Chambers <info@j...> wrote: > Will, say what you say, but an astrologist should not be prescribing medicine! > > I know you were tongue-in-cheek! > > Julie > Culpepper was an astrologist... rh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2002 Report Share Posted December 27, 2002 OK, but he was also a physician and a practicing herbalist! No mean to hurt feelings here! Julie > > Culpepper was an astrologist... > > rh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2002 Report Share Posted December 28, 2002 , Julie Chambers <info@j...> wrote: > Will, say what you say, but an astrologist should not be prescribing medicine! I think the point was that doctors always used to study astrology. alchemy also. the cosmic sciences of their day. but i agree, astrologers without medical training should not prescribe anything. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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