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ART OF SIMPLING

A simple is a common health-enhancing plant.

A simpler is one who knows how to use these plants … an herbalist.

The simpler:

• Uses local herbs, recently harvested.

• Uses only mild nutritional herbs with generous amounts of pure water.

• Uses these simples consistently over a long period of time.

• Cleanses the body, promotes healthy circulation, and creates a mild rise in temperature with baths and saunas to promote sweating.

• Uplifts, appreciates, and focuses on the individual’s health.

One can always rely on this simpler’s art to support health and heal ills.

CAPSULES

Capsules are used as a vehicle to deliver herbs in their dry form. They are useful for administering herbs in the following circumstances:

• When the herb is to be taken in small amounts, such as 1/2 to 3 Gm. An ounce is approximately 30 Gm.

• When the herb is intensely bitter or otherwise abominable tasting (like Saw Palmetto) or contains a lot of mucilage. The flavors of mild-tasting herbs don’t need to be hidden in a capsule, and when possible they are better taken as a tea. These tonic plants (Red Clover, Nettle, Red Raspberry) usually require a larger dose to give a desired effect than is ordinarily provided by capsules.

• When an herb or herbal formula is to be taken regularly for a long period of time.

• When the whole herb can be taken including the woody material.

• As an excellent way to administer tinctures that have been infused in lactose powder (see “Lactose Powder Infusion,” below).

• Capsulated herbs are very convenient to take, especially when traveling.

Drawbacks of using capsules

• You don’t taste the herb, which, granted, can be quite merciful (like when taking Saw Palmetto. Did I mention that already?). However, this is a disadvantage when taking herbal bitters, as many herbalists believe their effectiveness depends on a neurological reflex triggered by actually tasting their bitter flavor. When put into a capsule this beneficial action may be lost or greatly diminished.

• You don’t know what you are getting unless you fill the capsules yourself. (Of course this can be said about any type of commercial herbal product.)

• Short shelf life.

• Most capsules available on the market are made from gelatin. I have found that some of these capsules dissolve well and some don’t. There are those that can travel the full length of your gastrointestinal tract from its oral commencement to its anal conclusion without dissolving, which with some pharmaceutical drugs probably does one a tremendous favor, but it’s better that the capsules with your herbal preparations dissolve and release their contents while in the stomach. Check this out first before purchasing any quantity of empty capsules by first sucking on one for a while to see if it dissolves easily.

Some capsules on the market are made of plant starch or cellulose and tend to break down quite quickly. In my experience, these are less commonly used, more expensive, yet more efficient. In place of using capsules one can wrap powdered herb in edible rice paper cut to an appropriate size.

Capsule size

Small “0” capsules are best for children (if they’ll swallow them), or for administering very strong herbs such as Goldenseal, Wormwood, Lobelia, or Cayenne. Larger “00” are more suitable for adults.

1 ounce of powdered herb will fill about 60 “0” caps or 30 “00” caps. One “00” cap holds about 1/4 teaspoon dried powdered herb.

Preparing the herb

Powder the herb finely so you can give a more concentrated dose, and so it is easier for the body to assimilate. If possible, powder the herbs as you use them rather than buying powdered herbs. Powdered herbs which have sat on store shelves deteriorate quickly and lose their effectiveness. Also, unless you know an herb quite well by smell or taste, it is nearly impossible to be sure that you are getting the herb you want when it is merely seen as a powder. Most green powders look similar; so do most brown powders, tan powders, yellowish powders, etc.

Procedure for filling capsules