In this series, brantford.com takes a look at various natural alternative health treatments.

Part 1 / Herbs

After working as a retail pharmacy technician, Jennifer Pottruff decided to make a change. Hearing customer upon customer asking for guidance and answers at the drug store, especially in alternative medicines, she decided to explore the path of healing with herbal medicines.

Working specifically in natural medicine for the last six years, she says her family has been using herbal medicine for quite some time.

“My dad came here from Italy when he was six years old and my Nona [grandma] taught him different remedies. When I was a kid I remember seeing him cooking a pot on the stove with what I thought was grass inside. I thought it was gross, but looking back, he was just making a herbal remedy!”

Now a doctor of natural & homeopathic medicine, registered herbalist and certified colon therapist and part of the Registered Herbalists Association, Pottruff creates remedies for a variety of individuals at her clinic, Scent from Heaven Natural Health Centre.

“I like how gentle and individualized herbal medicine is. Every person will have a completely different reaction to a remedy, so instead of five people with headaches getting the same pharmaceutical for it, I can make a blend that will work for that specific person,” said Pottruff.

For example, Pottruff has created a blend tailored to the treatment of her daughter’s eczema and a remedy to combat the cold that is making its way through her family of five. She happily adds that both remedies have made a large difference.

With half her clients hating tea remedies and the other half enjoying them, Pottruff says that a major advantage of seeing a herbalist is their ability to create different remedies.

”There are many different ways to make the remedies. I can make it into a cough syrup, ointment or drops. It’s especially good for kids who hate the taste of different medicines, and extracts, extracts always taste gross.”

Pottruff says that many shy away from medical doctors and pharmaceuticals for a variety of reasons. A main one being that a doctor, who often has time constrictions, doesn’t necessarily have the option of delving into a person and discovering the root cause of a health issue, she said.

“Many will turn to natural healing because they don’t feel they are being heard. People don’t always get a chance to talk about what’s going on in their lives. Here, they can talk to someone a lot longer and discuss the symptoms. Also, the remedies are natural and not chemicals,” said Pottruff.

However, Pottruff points out that although herbs are natural and gentle on the body, people still need to be careful when using them.

“There are still possibilities of being allergic to specific medicines or not properly interacting with different medicines. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s perfectly safe,” said Pottruff.

She says that there are many different herbs that vary in strength, as not all of them are gentle and need to be used properly.

“It’s especially true for kids. How your body reacts also depends on your metabolism and what dosage you need, especially when it comes to kids. Gentler herbs are okay for things like first aid, but it’s always safer to see a herbalist first,” said Pottruff.

For someone who is beginning to explore the use of herbal medicine, Pottruff suggests seeking out books to learn more, especially to have a basic knowledge prior to seeing a herbalist.

Although herbalists are here to help patients, Pottruff says, ultimately, the individual is in charge of their own health.

“Herbalists guide people and help along by advising them of remedies to take. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to. We try to make the health plans and remedies as simple and as possible to make it easier. But, they’re in charge of their own health,” said Pottruff.

Examples of herbs for basic remedies:

*Please see a herbalist prior to using the herbs below

Peppermint – upset stomach, helps cough and cold

Hawthorne berries – good for the heart, good for blood pressure

Chamomile – stomach distress, calms nerves, fights infections, prevention of ulcers

Garlic – lowers cholesterol

Aloe Vera – minor burns

Echinacea - Colds and Flu

Flaxseed – Osteoporosis

Lavender – Anxiety

Licorice - Sore Throat

Next week - Part 2: Acupuncture