Wormwood and Other Poisonous Herbs to Avoid

Fortunately, many people are turning to all natural cures for cancer as they learn of the sometimes health-destroying effects of chemotherapy and radiation. How does one choose a book on alternative medicine? There are good and bad ones on the shelves for sale. It's a good idea to consider books written by an author or authors who have personally overcome cancer totally depending on natural medicines and, preferably, who suffered from the same type of cancer you are looking to battle. However, even in what I would consider the best books, I've read advice to use poisonous herbs such as wormwood, mandrake, jaborandi, lobelia, mistletoe, and pennyroyal. Unfortunately, sometimes that advice was not accompanied by proper warnings.

Some of these potentially toxic herbs do have their place in natural treatments, but those such as wormwood should usually be totally avoided. Artemesia absinthium, the botanical name for wormwood, is also called "green ginger" and "old woman." The entire plant is used and sometimes recommended in the treatment of parasites. While it is most effective against worms, it is also effective against good health and may cause you to have to make a trip to the doctor. Simply put, wormwood is one of the world's poisonous herbs (Jethro Kloss, Back To Eden [Loma Linda, CA: Back To Eden Books Publishing Co., 1988], 230-231). The oil of wormwood can be put in liniments to treat sprains, lumbago, and bruises, but it is a very bad idea to consume it internally.

Back To Eden, a fairly good book covering natural living, whole foods, and herbal medicines in the treatment of a variety of health problems, also cautions against the careless use of mistletoe, another of the Earth's toxic herbs. The berries are poisonous and should never be eaten. Mistletoe can have an adverse effect on the heart and really should not be taken unless you are under competent medical supervision. Following the author's promotion of veganism for a lifetime even for babies and children has also caused some people health problems.

Jaborandi leaves also figure among potentially harmful herbs that have wonderful medicinal properties, but should be used with great care by someone who has a good understanding of the effect it can have on the body. One such effect is its ability to provoke profuse sweating. Some do not agree with labeling jaborandi as one of the poisonous herbs because it can be safely taken to treat certain health problems such as the common cold and asthma. It even halts hiccoughs in some individuals. Other herbs to use with great care and caution include: mandrake, lobelia, and pennyroyal. Unfortunately, far to many people think of herbs as weak medicines; they are not and must be respected for the strength they have. They compose the natural "pharmacy" provided by God that played their part along with organically grown wholesome foods in keeping man alive and well long before there were any medical doctors. They will still do the same if man would only use them.