Western Botanical

Botanicals, also known as herbs, are plants, trees and flowers that are found throughout the world, even in your very own backyard.  Botanical medicines can be found in the form of oils, alcohol/glycerite tinctures, teas and dry (pill form) herbs where the active (medicinal) ingredients or the medicinal part of the plants are isolated.

Although botanicals are natural substances, they can have very aggressive results when taken in inappropriate doses.  Many pharmaceutical drugs are invented or created based on the actions of an active ingredient found in a plant, flower or tree.  

The process of selecting specific herbs and then the specific parts of those herbs for their therapeutic actions is quite involved.

At CINH, when treatment with botanical medicines is indicated, the below process is completed in order to identify the most effective and therapeutic medicine possible.

Creating Medicinal formulas

1. Consider which herbs are most appropriate for the particular health problem.
2. Identify which herbs will work best for healing each stage of the disease.
3. How will each herb harmonize among the other herbs they are blended/taken with.

Creating a Medicinal Herbal formula

1. 1st Cornerstone: The specific primary herbs govern the formula.  
   1. It comprises up to 70% of the formula.
2. 2nd Cornerstone:  It supports the primary herbs.  These herbs are supportive and nourishing.  
   1. Soothes, buffers; 15-20% of the total formula.
3. 3rd Cornerstone:  Made up of the action or catalyst herbs.  They get things moving.  
   1. Stimulants, Eliminators; 10-15% of the total formula.