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By Root 864 0

disturbed prostate glands in males, or to soothe and shrink hemorrhoids and cysts in anyone. Boluses are also employed to deliver herbs directly to rectal mucous membranes which readily absorb them into the bloodstream. This can elicit the same systemic effect as herbs that have been taken orally. In line with this, it is important to note that a bolus is an excellent means for administering fever-reducing and other soothing and nourishing herbs to infants and young children who can’t or won’t take them orally. (A number of piqued children opt for the oral method the next time around.)

While we’re in this discussion, I’ll insert the concept that enemas and vaginal douches are extensions of the bolus. Designed to deliver a single liquid dosage, they are an equally efficient delivery system to administer herbs “underneath” for local and systemic action.

Medicinal herbs used in boluses can be strong astringents, such as White Oak bark, used to contract, firm, and strengthen tissues and to reduce secretions and discharge; demulcent and mild astringents such as Comfrey root or Marshmallow root used to relax, soothe, protect, and heal tissues; antimicrobial tonics like Goldenseal, Echinacea, and Chaparral, used to prevent and allay infection while toning body tissues; and/or distinct tonic herbs such as Saw Palmetto, which is often used with Echinacea to soothe and tone an infected or otherwise disturbed prostate gland.

These active herbal agents are suspended in a solid base designed to melt at body temperature or in a base that will dissolve and disperse when in contact with body tissues. The two main types of bases used for making boluses are cocoa butter and a gelatin-glycerin mix. The cocoa butter is most appropriately used when dry herbal preparations are to be administered and the gelatin-glycerin mix is well used when one wishes to combine liquid preparations with a base. It is worth noting that the glycerin will extract moisture from tissue. Therefore, please note that if it is used frequently, it can cause a drying of the mucosal membranes, possibly provoking mild inflammation.

THE FORMING MOLD

Enthusiasm about preparing herbal boluses (hey, some folks get excited about collecting old hub caps) can prompt an all-pervasive search for bolus-forming molds. From thimbles to fountain pen lids, you may find yourself haunting supermarkets, hardware stores, flea markets, garage sales, closets, kitchen drawers, kids’ (those you’re not even related to) toy boxes, the car’s glove compartment, etc., for potential molds. If you do find yourself involved in this odd quest, I suggest you keep it a private pursuit; go about your search telling no one what you are looking for or why you want it … It’s simpler that way and avoids a lot of talk.

I have found numerous potential devices that I won’t bother to list. Suffice it to say, some of them panned out, most didn’t, but I’ve learned to enjoy the hunt. All in all, my initial technique, which is rather standard knowledge, remained the simplest and probably the overall best. Meanwhile I’ve moved on to other challenges, but the exhilaration of the hunt lingers, and my eyes remain alert for “the perfect bolus-shaping mold.” It’s not like bolus consciousness is my main event, you realize. I seek the burning bush and contemplate the sound of one hand clapping too, like all the other deep and spiritual guys.

Therefore, a quick and efficient method for making a shaping mold:

1. Roll aluminum foil tightly around a fat pencil, a magic marker, the handle of a large wooden spoon, whatever, depending on the diameter of the bolus you want. The width of your small finger is a good size approximation.

2. Leave a substantial portion of the pencil (or whatever shape-giving device you use) sticking out of one end of the foil wrap, so that once you are finished rolling it up you can still grasp it and pull it out of the newly formed tube. Indulge heavily in abundance by wrapping the foil around the implement a number of times to supply a sturdy wall to work with.

3. Close off one end of the tube