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3. Give 2–4 glasses of water immediately (milk can be substituted).

4. Induce vomiting immediately by giving 1–2 tablespoons of salt in a full glass of warm water, or a tablespoon of mustard in warm water, or have the patient place index finger far back on tongue and stroke from side to side. Vomiting should also be induced after each dose of the antidote. Caution: With strychnine, strongly caustic, or corrosive poison, do not induce vomiting.

5. Give patient the Universal Antidote (see below).

6. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Do not interrupt the above procedures.

UNIVERSAL ANTIDOTE

If the nature of the poison is unknown, give repeated doses of 1/2 ounce (15 Gm) of the following mixture or a like mixture, stirred in half a glass of warm water:

• Pulverized, activated charcoal (burnt toast as an alternative)—2 parts

• Tannic acid (strong black tea as an alternative)—1 part

• Magnesium oxide (milk of magnesia as an alternative)—1 part

Never give oils, fats, or alcohol.

Tannin (tannic acid powder or common black tea) precipitates most alkaloids (as well as certain toxic glycosides and many metals). But remember that this precipitate redissolves in the acidic gastric juice, so it should be given with alkaline substances, such as sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, milk of magnesia, or the like, which neutralize acids, and then they should be removed by vomiting or with a stomach pump.

Iodine in the form of Tincture of Iodine diluted, or Lugol’s Solution (iodine with potassium iodide) may be given as a general antidote. But this precipitate redissolves in the alkaline juices of the intestines, so it must be hurried through the bowels by means of a purgative if it is too late to remove it by vomiting or a stomach pump.

Activated animal charcoal (or vegetable charcoal as an alternative) absorbs and obstructs alkaloids. This may be used if quickly removed from the stomach before re-solution takes place.

All individuals have their distinctive way of doing things. Some folks put lids back on, some won’t; some tuck their shirttails in, others don’t; some do the dishes right after meals, while others let ’em soak. Medicine-making-wise the principles and instruction I have put forth in this handbook are pretty much how I do my thing. This how-to-herbal is a crystallization of what I have learned to date from sundry teachers, fused with the manifest magic of my salvaged blunders, and that which I have sensed or channeled, much of which popped into my head as a breezy “wow, that’s a hell-of-an-idea.” Certain folks may interpret some (maybe all) of what I have put forth in these pages as merely fond retrospection of brief psychotic episodes from which I have returned, or at least partially returned. Milking this compliment all I can, I will savor my particular madness by clarifying that my castles-in-the-air come fully endowed with lush gardens, talking plants, wizardly critters, and quaintly equipped kitchen-labs; the enchanting wonderment of all this invoking me to visit and water and attend to them regularly.

As to the pathway of my particular education and experiences in herbal medicine-making, it has been a winding road. At times I’ve jogged pointedly along its course, asking questions and making notes; and yet, often I’ve simply dilly dallied with Dandelions and watched the Mullein blossoms charm the bees. Any attempt to list in systematic fashion just who or what taught me this and that, would be very difficult indeed, for the evolution of my insights and methodologies progressed in a curlicue fashion rather than in any discernable linear sequence of research and events. Suffice to say the approaching list of highly talented, visionary beings touched, taught, and influenced me in one way or another, over and over again; and with warm heart, I give them my sincere appreciation and full credit for their profoundly creative work. At the same time, I probably should also ask their forgiveness if it appears that I have misinterpreted their teachings, or that I have gnarled