Herbal Legacy Articles

By Katherine “Kat” Drovdahl MH, CR, DipHIr, CEIT - Oregon

Book review by Christopher Publications

Have you ever wondered how much herb or essential oil you can use or apply to the creature members of your family? Or wish you understood more about husbandry practices for your pets, poultry, exotics or other farm stock? Wonder no longer. You CAN learn how to be an excellent creature herbalist! Kat, a lifetime pet, livestock, poultry and horse owner, has demystified the area of animal herbalism by carefully taking the beginning to advanced creature owner as well as those new or advanced in the world of herbs or essential oils and applying these to the benefit of your beloved companions. Careful thought is given in this book to lay a clear foundation for you, so that you can learn not only what you might do in easy to very difficult (even ‘incurable’) situations, but also WHY you are doing so, in order to help you grow in your confidence and skill as an herbalist. Kat also shares when you should consider calling on your veterinarian. How to use this book with your human family is also considered. She discusses herbs, essential oils, Dr. Christopher products, and her company’s products to give you opportunities to work with what you might have on hand. So whether you are a do-it-yourselfer, like using products, or are somewhere in between, this book can be a helpful resource.

A Vitalistic approach is taken which will help you assess the cause of the situation you are facingso that you can do much better than just try to cover up symptoms. You will learn how to assist the body to heal itself whatever the problem’s cause may be. Spiritual, physical, environmental, and emotional aspects are all considered as you seek to help your creatures to abundant wellness. Kat shares many easy to follow stories of actual experiences in order to help the reader understand the body’s process as it moves towards wellness. Twenty eight chapters and 515+ pages cover many topics, including herbal foundations, husbandry, supplements and feed, dosage, methods of herb or essential oil administration, creating a garden for use with your creatures, breeding, preparation & gestation, creature midwifery, raising baby animals to their greatest genetic potential, parasites, exhibiting creatures, poisons, senior or failure to thrive creatures and several chapters on different systems and organs in the body and their care. You can obtain your copy right away from Christopher publications. http://www.christopherpublications.com/APELH.html

Kat’s hope for you is that through this book you and your creatures will be fully, fully blessed.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the MH ladies in The School of Natural Healing office (Jo, Mishelle, Doreen and Yvonne) and David Christopher MH for their support and encouragement while working on this project. All of you are such a BLESSING! Thank-you!!!

Kat Drovdahl is a Master Herbalist graduate of The School of Natural Healing. She also is a Certified Reflexologist, a Diplomate of Holistic Iridology, a Certified Equine Iridology Technician and has International Certification in Aromatherapy. She and her husband are ‘owned’ by their LaMancha dairy goats, guardian dogs, a barn cat, some poultry and their Norwegian Fjord horses.

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New to Christopher Publications: Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech

This is a book for the beginner to advanced herbalist who wants to make his or her own herbal preparations.  It takes the question out of how much herb do I use, or what menstrum should I use for a particular herb?  It has easy to understand instructions to help anyone in making herbal medicine. Over one hundred herbs are covered explaining the part of the plant to use, dosage and practical uses

Making Plant Medicine is an easy to read book with personal stories of the author who thoroughly explains how to make herbal tinctures, glycerites, oils, ointments, vinegar extracts and more.

“My goal in writing this medicine making book and formulary is to share the healing ways that have become a way of life for my family.  I have endeavored to give people a complete and reasonable guide to understanding the simplicities and the intricacies of making herbal extracts.  My recommendations are based on my experiences as a global wanderer and village herbalist and upon my long association with the physics of herbal extraction.  My choice of herbs, formulas, and extraction techniques are the result of my experience as a gardener of herbs and as a student of Western herbalism.

I believe that the herbs grown by our own hands in local gardens provide the strongest medicine we can possibly make and dispense to heal.  When I take this medicine or give it to my family and friends, I know exactly what plant it is, where it came from, how the extract was made, and what I want it to do.  I have an unshakeable faith in the medicine, and this provides a strong foundation for healing.  May your medicine be of the garden, and may it be of benefit to all. (Pg. 6-7)”  

For anyone who is interested in making his or her own herbal medicine, Making Plant Medicine is a must-have.

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New to Christopher Publications: FAVES, by Melissa Chappel

Melissa is a whole food chef extraordinaire. Her raw desserts, full of flavor, sweetness and health, are what has made her so popular. Melissa began as a personal chef before acquiring her own commercial kitchen. She also teaches the public through workshops on how to improve their lifestyle by using “energy’s secret”, fresh fruits and veggies in their diet.

Over the years she has perfected many recipes that have emerged as her favorites contained in her book FAVES. FAVES includes salads, main dishes, smoothies, salsas, dressings and sauces. The recipes are light and refreshing using common ingredients that can be found at your local market. They are also fast, easy to make, and taste great!
Melissa has managed to include her touch for teaching in this cookbook as well. Mixed among her recipes are sections called “Guess What?” where she educates the reader about the foods being eaten…

“Guess What? Cultivated carrots, which are different from wild carrots, are known to have first been grown in the 900’s in Afghanistan and the surrounding area. Until the 1500’s carrots were never orange, but more exotic colors like purple, yellow, red and white. In the gardens of ancient Rome, they were used as an aphrodisiac and in some areas, they were used as part of a concoction that prevented poisoning. I bet when you were a child, you were told that eating your carrots would give you better eyesight?…..”

Get more fresh food into your life by trying this collection of tried and true recipes.

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