# 31 Winters Itch and Herb Thoughts

Doing my last post as regards “winters itch”, and laying out the herbs that would contribute to a “normal “ condition, triggered thoughts from long ago. Scared and fearful were the first ones to come up. The reading about how dangerous doing health things on your own was another. As I ventured into the world of herbs it became more and more scary and confusing. Some herbs were listed as toxic and poisonous, and could cause serious health conditions and even death. So there I was, a complete newbie to herbs reading all the information that I could find, about and on herbs. One difficult part was how does one test the validity of so called “poisonous” versus “safe” herbs. Often it boiled down to, if it didn’t kill you, it was safe to use! Did not want that trial and error method at all. So after much seeking, and not finding much to go on about herbs, I finally came across a book called “Back to Eden” by Jethro Kloss. This book was the eye opener that I needed. Over 600 pages of reading was read and reread, over and over. Have worn out two copies so far. Reading of Back to Eden was my key to the use of herbs for food and medicine. I found this book a beautiful source of solid advice to better health. The second eye opener was the book “School of Natural Healing” by Dr John R. Christopher. Needless to mention the original copy became well worn and had to be replaced. Of course this was only the beginning of my journey into herbs.

More on that journey another time.
Currently I use “ O” and “OO” size capsules. Bought a capsule machine later to encapsulate the herbs as hand stuffing was tedious. It was some-what humorous when I would purchase three or four bottles of the lowest priced vodka for making tinctures, the frequency of vodka purchases caused the friendly store owner to inquire where my tavern was located. Also, I taste every herb I purchase out of curiosity and to do a crude check for any allergic reaction. Some taste nice, others are bitter, and some will pucker your whole body into a ball of unbelievable “oh no”. Can use of herbs be dangerous! Some what like yes and no is my answer, about as dangerous as crossing a busy intersection, if one is not careful. If one were to check out the many posts on my Razors Edge, you may find some of great interest health wise.
http://anotherlookatit.blogspot.com/2007/01/razors-edge-index-1-to-93.html

# 30 Talkers Thoughts About Winters Itch

When I first became aware of what is referred to as "winters Itch", I never looked at it as a big problem to anyone. How wrong that thought proved to be. Searching the net showed 127,000 hits. Sheesh, what a revelation while reading many of the hits. People are in pain and agony. Every kind of healing professional is mentioned as being contacted and being of very little help. The list of medications, salves, ointments, over the counter products used that had no relationship to an itch, and ice, floored me in how desperate many people are for some, or any kind, of relief. One site had over one thousand comments on and about what was tried to relieve itching. Many had have the problem for decades. Some have it only at some times. Others have it seasonally. Some products work for a few but not for others. Some used medication that slightly helped the itch, but caused other problems. Whats going on here I questioned. Seems that no one has any positive method to eliminate the winters itch situation. So I asked myself, what would I do if I were in a similar situation! My thoughts were many and varied, but here is what I came up with, that I would try, to eliminate the itch. I do realize that at this point, I am some what aware of "what does not help on a permanent basis"from what was read on posts.
Even reread some of my prior posts, from when I first became aware of the magnitude of the winters itch situation.(see posts # 14, # 15, and # 16) to refresh my memory.
http://waysofahealer.blogspot.com/2007/02/17-healers-blog-index.html
So to me, only a thorough whole body system seems to be a possible solution, and I would use an herbal method. This thought is based on all the failed or partial relief received, comments that I read about online. All the herbs listed here, I've used many in one way or another or still use for those occasions I want or need to use for a purpose. If anyone else were crazy enough or desperate enough to even think of doing the same as I would, don't. I'm some what experienced with using herbs for my needs. I'm not allergic to any of them, some are very potent, and need to be researched by users to become aware of the possible down side, in their use.
Would encapsulate some, others into extracts and make some salve. Under similar conditions but otherwise lacking experience, I would seek answers through a professional for some degree of safety. I calculate some what, that it would take about three months, to be completely rid of the the nasty winters itch. Would probably see periodical flareups, due to the body's way of storing excess and/or necessary substances. Some of this storage, is perhaps foreign to the body and gets released in many and various ways, and becomes active again, over and over, until the stored substances within the body are cleared away. This could account for the relapses, perhaps due to seasonal changes, weight changes, relationships, coupled with dietary habits.
In my # 28 post, on this blog, I mention a book "Resurrection", that from an unusual approach to health, just might be your "missing health link". Of course none of this might assist any but me, (we are all different) as my approach to correcting winters itch, would be, (or any other difficulty) a "spirit, soul and body" based protocol. Would probably use a vitamin/mineral product, along with cod liver oil and flax seed oil doing this crazy process.
The formulas shown are from my herbal library, and I've not used these as a formula as shown personally, but have used many in a formulation for other uses.
Anyway these were my thoughts on how I would approach winters itch, if I were subjected to it.

( added on at 7:30 pm)
Would start the "detox my body" protocol slowly. Doing an intense protocol on a body that may be compromised, energy and immune system wise, could some what back fire on you.
See:
http://anotherlookatit.blogspot.com/2005/08/herxheimer-effect-is-what.html

Normally I go full ahead with most protocols, a detox is an exception.
Need to NOT over do the detox until you see how your body responds to a detox. I would go slow with this for at least two weeks, and gradually increase my dosage.
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Clean and Detox my body:
Dandelion root - Yellow Dock - Sarsaparilla root - Echinacea - Licorice root - Cayenne - Kelp-
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Detox and Nurture my body:
Red Clover - Chaparral - Licorice root - Oregon Grape root - Prickly Ash bark - Buckthorn bark - Kelp -
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Liver clean and tune up : Dandelion root - Cascara Sagrada bark - Licorice root - Celery seed - Cayenne - Wild Yam root -
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Nerves and Glands tune up :
Goldenseal root - Gentian root - Chamomile Flowers - Blue Vervain - Dandelion root - Yellow Dock root - Skullcap - Wood Betony - Kelp - Cayenne - Saw Palmetta berries -
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Skin Disorders correction:
Chaparral - Dandelion root - Burdock root - Licorice root - Echinacea - Yellow Dock root - Kelp - Cayenne -
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Tonic for ongoing use:
Sarsaparilla - Siberian Ginseng - Blessed Thistle - Fo-Ti - Gotu Kola - Saw Palmetto berries - Licorice root - Kelp - Stillingia - Alfalfa - Cayenne -
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Herb regular and latin names:
Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa),
Blessed thistle (Cerbenia benedicta),
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Buckthorn bark (Rhamnus frangula)
Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
Cascara Sagrada Bark (Rhamnus purshiana)
Cayenne (Capsicum annum)
Celery seed (Apium graveolens)
Chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chaparral (Larrea divaricata)
DANDELIN root (Taraxacum officinale)
Echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea)
Fo-Ti (Polygonum multiflorum / ho-shou-wu)
Gentian root (Gentiana lutea)
GINSENG Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis)
Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle asiatica)
Kelp (Laminaria, Macrocystis, Ascophyllum)
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Oregon Grape root (Mahonia aquifolium)
Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Sarsaparilla Root (Smilax officinalis)
Saw Palmetto berries (Serenoa repens-sabal)
SKULLCAP (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Stillingia (Stillingia sylvatica)
Wild Yam root (Dioscorea villosa)
Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Yellow Dock root (Rumex crispus)