Essential oils are highly concentrated and are not to be used internally. Essential oils if used externally should be used with extreme caution. Essential oils do not need to touch the skin to enter the body. Essential oils inhaled or in contact with mucosa can be rapidly absorbed into the body. The entry of the essential oil via the blood/brain barrier is very rapid, with plasma concentrations reaching their peak 18 minutes after exposure.[541] Essential oils can increase, decrease, or even stop uterine contractions.[542]
Methods and herbal dosages listed in this book are for educational purposes only. Using these dosages without consulting a physician or qualified health professional would be practicing self medication. Practicing self medication is dangerous and is not recommended. Please consult your health professional.
Each individual has unique characteristics and sensitivities that make it impossible to have a one-size-fits-all dosage. Some of the dosage adjustments a qualified herbalist might suggest follow.
The dosages in this book have been averaged from several sources and are calculated for an adult person who weighs l50 lbs. (68 kg); a person who weighs less or more would need to have the dosage adjusted to their body size. An adult who is sensitive to medications, would in addition need the starting dosage reduced by 50%.
Vegetarians and vegans are often more sensitive to herbs, especially estrogenic herbs. (Non-vegetarian consumption increases the amount of daily estrogens via animal products. Non-vegetarians become accustomed to higher estrogen levels.) A vegan or vegetarian would need to have the starting dosage reduced by at least 30%.
Younger people have organs that metabolize, utilize and eliminate herbs differently than adults. Generally, younger people are more sensitive to herbal medicines. For young women between the ages of 14 - 18, the starting dosage would need to be reduced by 30%. For young women under age 14, the starting dosage would need to be reduced by 50%.
A qualified herbalist would also adjust dosage to individual plant characteristics: Different batches of herbs will have differing amounts of medicinal components. The potency of an herb will vary depending on the growing conditions, genetic variability, gathering, storage, and preparation methods. A trained herbalist would, throughout treatment, monitor a patient’s individual responses to herbs and adjust dosage, as necessary.
Appendix H: Weights and Measures
Weights and Measures
1 ounce = 28.35 grams
1 fluid ounce = 29.56 ml
1 tsp. = 4.9 ml = 60 drops
1 Tbs. = 3 tsp. = ½ fl. oz. = 14.8 ml = 180 drops
½ pint = 1 cup = 16 tsp. = 48 tsp. = 8 fl. oz. = 236.6 ml
½ quart = 1 pint = 2 cups = 32 Tbs. = 106 tsp. = 16 fl. oz. = 473.2 ml
1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups = 64 Tbs. = 212 tsp. = 32 fl. oz. = 946.4ml
Ounces of Herbs to Kitchen Measures (approximate):
1 oz. powder = 3 Tbs.
1 oz. roots (cut and sifted) = ¼ cup
1 oz. leaf (cut and sifted) = 1 cup
Drams, Drachmas, Grains, and Minims
1 tsp = 1 dram = 60 grains = 60 minima
1 grain = 65 mg 1 Tbs. = 3 tsp. = 3 drams = 180 grains = 180 minima
1 dram = 1 drachma
Appendix I: Antibiotics[543]
Infection of the uterus is extremely serious and life threatening but fortunately very rare (approximately 1 in 100,000 in clinical abortion). There is no recommended FDA approved dosage of antibiotics used preventatively for abortion. Using antibiotics without reason can stimulate the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics can be secured before a self-induced abortion attempt or emergency medical services can be sought if a woman shows signs of infection after an abortion (See Post-Abortion Care and Resources).
Words to the Wise: Antibiotics should be used with physician oversight. Antibiotics can save lives, but can also cause negative side-effects. Some antibiotics can interfere with other prescription medications. Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills, so other contraceptive measures should be used during and for seven days after antibiotic use. Milk, zinc, iron, or calcium taken at the same time as antibiotics can interfere with antibiotic absorption. Antibiotics can affect drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (like warfarin, digoxin, theophylline, phenytoin, etc.). Alcohol must not be consumed during treatment with metronidazole and for 48 hours after, as this may lead to an allergic reaction in some individuals. Grapefruit juice should not be consumed while taking erythromycin, as this can cause dangerous heart arythmias. Allergic reactions to antibiotics can cause anaphylactic shock and death.
Antibiotics can interfere with the natural flora of the intestinal tract and disrupt body balance. Antibiotic use and disruption in beneficial intestinal flora, in scientific studies on mice, has been linked to the development of asthma and allergies.[544] To help prevent candida and other possible health problems when using antibiotics, eat foods with beneficial bacteria (like yogurt and miso) every day during the treatment and for one week following the treatment. Eating raw fruits and vegetables also helps to establish beneficial intestinal flora.
There are two antibiotic regimes for abortion. One regime is preventative, taken immediately after an abortion to help prevent an infection. The other regime is for when signs of infection are present. Different antibiotic regimes are recommended for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, as certain antibiotics have been found to be detrimental to a breastfeeding infant when passed through a woman’s milk.
Always carefully monitor temperature after an abortion and during antibiotic treatment.
► Preventative Antibiotic Regime:
► Non-Breastfeeding Woman Preventive Regime
(take with lots of water): … Take 100 mg doxycycline, two times a day on the day of the abortion.
► Breastfeeding Woman Preventive Regime
(take with lots of water): … Take 500 mg erthromycin, four times a day, for seven days.
► Antibiotic Regime for Symptoms of Fever and Infection:
Because the type of bacteria that is causing the infection is not known, a broad spectrum antibiotic regime is used. Continue to give the antibiotics for fever and infection until there has been no sign of fever for 48 hours. If fever is still present after 48 hours of starting antibiotics, seek immediate medical attention.
► Non-breastfeeding woman with signs of fever/infection:
▪ Take all three medicines (with lots of water):
• 3.5 g ampicillin, all at once, one time only.
• 100 mg doxycycline, two times a day.
• 400 – 500 mg metronidazole, three times a day.
► Breastfeeding Woman with signs of fever/infection:
All of the following antibiotics are generally believed to be safe for the breastfeeding infant; however it is better to take the doses immediately after a feeding. … Take these three medicines (with lots of water):
• 2 g ampicillin, initial dose, then 1 g ampicillin, four times a day.
• 80 mg gentamicin, three times a day.
• 500 mg metronidazole, three times a day.
▪ OR Take these three medicines (with lots of water):
• 500 mg ciprofloxacin, two times a day.
• 100 mg doxycycline, two times a day.
541
Jaeger W et al.,"Pharmokinetic studies of the Fragrance Compound 1,8-cineole in Humans during Inhalation,"
542
M. Lis-Balchin and S. Hart, “A Preliminary Study of the Effect of Essential Oils on Skeletal and Smooth Muscle in Vitro,”
543
Hesperian Organization,
544
Mairi C. Noverr, Nicole R. Falkowski, Rod A. McDonald, Andrew N. McKenzie, and Gary B. Huffnagle. “Development of Allergic Airway Disease in Mice following Antibiotic Therapy and Fungal Microbiota Increase: Role of Host Genetics, Antigen, and Interleukin-13,”