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Mountain Rose
Herbs...
By Andy Summa
 Dietary supplement sales, including herbal remedies, skyrocketed from $9.8 billion in 1995 to a staggering $15 billion in 1999. But Shawn Donnille, co-owner of Mountain Rose Herbs, expects sales to continue to climb.
The reason? Madison Avenue.
“We are currently experiencing an up-swell in aphrodisiacs and physical enhancement herbs,” Donnille said. “A barrage of vanity advertising and ‘this is how you should look’ billboards and magazine articles have created enormous insecurity with people’s sexuality and physique. This is when they begin to experiment with an almost mystical approach using exotic botanicals like Damiana, Yohimbe, Epimedium, Guarana and Muira Puama.”
Donnille said herbal medicine is ideal in a healthy, balanced lifestyle that includes good nutrition. But they can’t cure everything, though.
“Herbs (are not) a panacea or ‘cure all,’” he said. “Many people get really ill and practice herbal medicine expecting immediate relief when they really should evaluate their lifestyle and exactly what caused their illness.
“Don’t get me wrong. Herbs are great for immediate relief, but when you’re fighting against additional unhealthy extremes assaulting your physical, mental and spiritual well-being, it becomes more difficult to heal yourself properly with just herbal remedies.”
North San Juan, California-based Mountain Rose Herbs sells only organic herbs, something that Donnille feels is extremely important.
“It would be counter-productive if you consume herbs for health benefits, but digest chemical and pesticide residues,” he said. “Conventional non-organic crops require large amounts of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers which are directly sprayed on the crops or injected into the ground. This presents serious problems in the form of run-off from the farms which contaminates our ground water supply.”
Mountain Rose Herbs also sells natural body care supplies and essential oils. The company has been open since 1987.
Andy Summa is a freelance writer in Sugar Land, Texas. HERBS:
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Adapt with
Astragalus...
 Adaptogenic herbs are those that help you adapt to your environment, and with the chemical onslaught that we are
faced with in this day and age, anything to help us adapt will be of benefit!
Astragalus membranaceus root is an ancient restorative remedy, and is also known
as Huang Qi and Milk Vetch. Western herbalists recommend the root as an immune system stimulant.
At Herbal Hut you can buy loose astragalus to make your own restorative tea. Herbalists suggest that you put 2 teaspoons of the crushed, dried root in the bottom of a pan, cover it with 3 quarts of water, and simmer until the liquid has been reduced to about 3 cups. Strain and drink one cup three times a day.
Cautions: Pregnant women and those with immune system or other disorders should check with their doctor before taking herbs. |
