Ocoee Miller wears an army-green shirt with cut-off sleeves over a magenta T-shirt with her sleeves rolled up around her strong, tanned arms. A teal bandana holds in place her shiny, silver hair. Inside Miller’s country home, a cool, dark storeroom contains her collection of dried herbs and herbal tinctures. Miller grows a variety of plants and herbs on her property outside of Lawrence, which she uses to make herbal medicine.

Herbal medicine uses plants and herbs, administered in different forms, to benefit the health and wellness of a person. Herbs can help treat issues such as nausea, anxiety, stress, colds, flu, sore throat, poor digestion, herpes, PMS, headaches, insomnia and bladder infections. Herbal medicine works to maintain balance in the body and correct underlying problems that cause illness. Herbs can also alleviate a variety of symptoms.

Civilizations have been using plants for healing since the Stone Age. Practically every culture, ancient and modern, has used plants for medicinal purposes. Over centuries, cultures have experimented with and learned the healing properties of plants including garlic, elderberry, lavender and echinacea. Native American, Egyptian, European, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures have used herbal remedies as far back as the beginning of written record. Today, Americans spend $4.2 billion a year on herbal supplements according to the National Nutritional Foods Association’s Web site www.nnfa.org.

Herbs can be taken as medicine in a variety of forms; capsules, tinctures and teas are the most common. Capsules contain the herb in a dried form. Miller warns that capsules are not a very effective way to consume herbs. There is no way to know the age of the capsule contents, and once herbs dry out they begin to lose their potency. A highly effective way to consume an herb is by taking a tincture of the herb. A tincture is made by soaking the herb in alcohol, which preserves its potency and healing power. Herbs can also be consumed as a tea.intentions of the source of information before trusting it. Some groups have Web sites with information about herbal medicine in addition to trying to sell their products. Think about the interests of the company before relying on their information.

Large bookstores like Borders Books and Music, 700 New Hampshire St., have multiple shelves dedicated to books on alternative medicine. Herbal medicine falls under this category because it is considered an alternative to conventional medicine, medicine that is administered by a medical doctor. Herbalist Ocoee Miller says that books written by herbal medicine practitioners with clinical experience provide the most accurate information on herbs. Miller suggests The Way of Herbs by American Herbalists Guild founder Michael Tierra as a leading resource of herbal medicine, noting that she has worn out several copies.

By using credible sources, you can learn about what herbs may help you. Treating yourself with herbs is not uncommon. However, you must use caution before you start taking an herbal medicine. Even though herbs are milder than prescription drugs, they are still a medicine and can affect the inner workings of the body.

Patricia Denning, a physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center, says that herbal remedies are not necessarily safe because they are natural. Denning says that herbs can react with other medications. Some herbs may also conflict with certain health conditions. You should seek advice from a medical professional to assure that an herbal medicine will not conflict with another medicine or health condition. Denning also says a pharmacist can advise on taking herbal medicine in conjunction with a prescription.

Lawrence has several professional sources for receiving herbal medicine treatment. Naturopaths and herbalists are both experts on herbs. However, a naturopath is a medical professional who is educated in treating health issues without the use of drugs or major surgery. A naturopath examines your health as a whole; your first visit includes discussing your physical history, lifestyle and nutrition. The point of the initial $125 consultation—subsequent appointments are $65—is so the doctor can get to know patients well enough to understand how their health is affected by their life.

Farhang Khosh, N.D., is one of three naturopath doctors listed in Lawrence. Khosh received a degree in molecular biology from the University of Kansas, then a graduate degree in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in the Seattle area, which is currently one of four accredited schools for natural medicine in the United States. Khosh encourages getting advice from a medical professional before starting to take an herb.

However, Khosh also says that self-diagnosis is common. Khosh says the most important aspect of self-diagnosis is making sure you have a good knowledge of the herb: its effects, problems it could cause and the proper dosage. Khosh refers to the Community Mercantile, 901 Iowa St., as the “number one place to seek information regarding herbal medicine,” adding that he recommends the store to all of his patients. Khosh says the staff in the wellness department at the Community Mercantile can answer questions regarding herbal medicine.

Another knowledgeable source on herbal medicine is an herbalist. As an herbalist, Ocoee Miller has studied the use of herbs for medicinal purposes for almost 30 years. Miller makes herbal medicine using herbs and plants that she grows, as well as herbs that she buys in bulk. With her extensive knowledge of herbal medicine, Miller has held numerous workshops at her property to teach others the methods of making herbal medicine. Miller also consults with individuals on a one-on-one basis. A session with an herbalist would include an in-depth discussion about your health as a whole, similar to a session with a naturopath. Although Miller does not hold professional certification, she has dedicated the latter part of her life to learning about herbal medicine.

Miller says using herbs can give you vibrant longevity and robust health—her youthful appearance proves this. As a teen, Miller first noticed plants being used for medicinal purposes while living in Greece in the ‘50s. Miller traveled with friends to small islands where she says housewives would cure their families’ illnesses by using a plant pulled from their garden. About 30 years ago, Miller started learning the ways of herbal medicine. One of the first herbal treatments she discovered was during her time as a beekeeper. Miller found relief from painful bee stings by applying a plantain leaf to the injury.

Herbal medicine can treat common annoyances such as premenstrual syndrome or nausea, as well as reoccurring illnesses, such as bladder infections or herpes. Herbs can also help alleviate symptoms of everyday problems, such as stress, headaches or indigestion. Herbs are also known to prevent illness and to tone the organs, both ways to maintain positive health.

The herbs listed below are known to treat each of the health issues. These herbs are not guaranteed to fix any specific health problems. Multiple sources refer to the medicinal properties of each herb, making them “well-known” to help certain issues. Khosh advises learning everything about a specific herb before you begin taking it, especially making sure it will not conflict with other medicine. The references below are only to give you an idea of how different herbs can treat health issues.

Colds

Herbs can help prevent the common cold and flu, illnesses that students battle regularly. Echinacea is a mild herb that is commonly used to strengthen the immune system. After having reoccurring colds this winter and feeling the effects of my exhausted immune system, I started taking an echinacea tincture five days a week, for a couple of weeks. Echinacea strengthened my immune system and I haven’t been sick since.

Echinacea is also used as a last-minute cold-fighter. After waking up feeling sick, Lawrence resident Bri Hodge took an echinacea tincture throughout the day and drank several cups of lemon balm tea. Hodge says she felt better the next day, attributing her immune boost to a tincture made with echinacea called Herbal Resistance. Echinacea is known to increase the number of white blood cells that fight bad bacteria in the body and boost the immune system.

Another herb known for its antibiotic properties is garlic. Raw garlic can fight infection and treat cardiovascular diseases like high cholesterol and low blood pressure. Garlic may be useful in preventing cold sores resulting from a herpes virus.

PMS

Vitex agnus-castus, or chaste berry, can be taken on a daily basis to help alleviate symptoms of PMS. Taken consistently, vitex can help regulate your cycle, decrease mood swings and breast tenderness. Motherwort can relieve menstrual cramps and discomfort. Seek advice before taking if you use oral contraceptives.

Headaches

Matthews has also used gingko biloba to improve circulation when having a headache. Another herb that’s known for its migraine-relieving properties is feverfew, although this herb is known to have complications with blood-thinning drugs. In The Way of Herbs Michael Tierra suggests making this headache-relieving tea using equal parts skullcap, valerian, rosemary, chamomile and peppermint.

Nausea or motion sickness

Ginger is commonly known to calm nausea and motion sickness. Ginger root can be found in drinks, teas, candy and cookies.

Indigestion

Bromelain, found naturally in pineapple, can help aid digestion. Cayenne pepper, peppermint and dandelion are three of the numerous herbs that can relieve poor digestion.

Stress and anxiety

Chamomile (Roman or German) and passionflower are known to aid in stress relief. A tea made with these calming herbs may help you chill out.

Bladder infections

Biochemistry senior Laurell Matthews found success in herbal medicine for a problem that had been bothering her for almost six months. After having reoccurring bladder infections, Matthews researched and found that the herb nettles could help her problem. After taking nettles for three months, Matthews was not having the same frequency of infections as before.

Herbs can have many different medicinal properties. For example, chamomile is said to benefit multiple issues such as, gingivitis, asthma, skin problems, cuts and scrapes, insomnia and stress.

Herbal medicine is only as effective as living a healthy lifestyle. “Herbs cannot make up for putting crap in your body; herbs will not overcome stupidity,” Miller says. Miller emphasizes that students need to eat a balanced diet—which we should all be familiar with at this point—and recommends getting a crock potmeals. She also emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep and receiving ample amounts of sunlight. Miller avoids eating canned, “dead” food, which lacks necessary nutrients that occur in fresh “live” food.

For herbal medicine to work properly one must first follow a somewhat—we all have our vices—healthy lifestyle. Eating right, getting sleep, and exercising are three aspects of maintaining good health. Herbal medicine will work its best when used in conjunction with good health habits.

Patience is a virtue when it comes to herbal medicine. Because herbs are generally mild, they may not provide immediate results. Herbs can be beneficial because they can change the way the body works, like strengthening your health. Some herbs should be taken for months to achieve positive effects.

Lawrence resident Brett Ramey says when it comes to medicine, our culture is used to “quick fixes.” Ramey, who works in Ocoee’s garden weekly, emphasizes that people have to take care of their bodies before herbs can work their best.

The dynamic practice of herbal medicine is ever changing and always strengthening with research and studies. Using herbs for medicinal purposes can be a rewarding and empowering, putting you in control of your health.