HERBAL SOURCES AND PRODUCTS

"The ten most popular herbs"

Echinacea Garlic Ginseng Ginkgo Goldenseal Ma Huang Psyllium Siberian Ginseng Saw Palmetto Cascara Sagrada

In the United States there are many indigenous raw herbs that are turned into commercial products. Besides those that are cultivated, many grow on roadsides, or in parks and woods.

The photograph at right shows bulk herbs packaged for sale as teas to treat diseases or mild ailments. These are some of the 350 bulk herbs sold at the Waldo Flea Market in Florida at the House of Herbs.

The seller may make any claims he wishes about what these herbs may do for a person as long as there are no "disease claims" as defined by DSHEA. Using the word arthritis in labeling of herbs may be a violation under DSHEA.

Herbal Terminology

*Decoction: A tea made from boiling plant material, usually the bark, rhizomes, roots or other woody parts. Natural dyes are often made this way.

*Infusion: A tea made by pouring water over plant material, usually dried flowers, fruit, leaves and otehr parts, then allowed to steep.

*Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with the desired amount of glycerine, alcohol or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is then starined from the plants for medicinal use.

*Liniment: Extract of a plant added to either alcohol or vinegar and applied topically for therapeutic benefits.

*Poultice: A therapeutic topical application of a soft, moist mass of plant material wrapped in afine cloth.

*Essential Oils: Aromatic volatile oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers an dother parts of plants.

Photos by Jon M. Fletcher, Gainesville Sun