BACK TO ASK THE HERBALIST INDEX
ANSWERS FROM LORYHL:
QUESTION: I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia last year.  I have the occasional chest pain, breathing issues and of course acid reflux.  It was recommended that I take slippery elm (tea and caspule from) to help ease my symptoms.  The first day taking the tea, I started to feel more burning in my esophagus and around the hernia area.  Is there anything that I can do to help get rid of these problems?

ANSWER: First off, take a very close look at your diet. It is a long story, of how, most of the population of this country has acid reflux, due to the dead food we eat. It is corn syruped, over sugared, chemicaled and preservative full. Even if you eat, "healthy" unless you combine the foods properly, as you get older, it is likely you will get acid reflux.

I suggest you buy the book off of Amazon.com, “Food Combining Made Easy.”  Also, 1/2 hour before you eat, drink, 1/3 c of aloe vera juice, sip it to start with.  I suggest using our herbal blend, Soothe ( with tumeric added), at the same time, 1 tspn, in water, or diluted juice, 1/2 hr before eating, or during the day if you have more symptoms of discomfort. The herbs I am suggesting, will, soothe, calm, and reduce the inflammation of the tissues involved, and coat the digestive tract with mucilogenic properties from the herbs in the formula. Please read the downloads so that you can understand what you can do to alleviate your suffering and heal your body, if you are willing to do the work. It is likely the herbs won’t help you , or not for long, unless you learn how to feed yourself, in a way, that is caring for the hernia, and the digestive juices, that need to be there at the right times, for the right types of foods.  Most people also have a bacteria, in the gut, they are finding, that also is a problem, and doing the cleanse , with follow up on herbs to assist the friendly flora, will get rid of it eventually. You will know, as the body will feel whole, and no discomfort from foods.  It does take commitment to do this. We are used to getting a drug like Prilosec, that takes away the symptoms right away, but the problem is still there, in what and how we eat, now the symptoms are masked by the drug.  We look forward to being of service to you, if you have any more questions, or wish to order some of our blends. (downloads: gall bladder, life force, cleanse, castor oil, oil pull)

QUESTION: As a student here in Philippines, I am undertaking investigative report as one of our requirements in our subject Journalism 103.  In line with this, I request to grant us a permission to get your opinion about regarding my topic which is about the herbal medicines are suspect as an abortifacients which means substance that induce abortion. What can you say about some of the herbal medicines which helps for abortion. In this connection, I assure you that all information concerning this matter shall be handled with utmost care and confidentiality that in return I would to expect from you. I do realize that your kind consideration would help us to put more substance on our chosen area of study.

ANSWER: I do not study the abortion herbs, although I have come across them. If you want to do this study, I suggest you look it up on Wikipedia, or talk to a local Elder, who has knowledge of herbal folklore in your area,  I am a believer in saving the life of the fetus, unless the mother is at risk, so I do not promote the use of those herbs as a form of birth control.

ANSWERS FROM KAREN
QUESTION: I’m currently in my 23 wk of pregnancy and I don’t want this child.  I found
out I was pregnant late and I want to use an herbal remedy to kill the fetus.  I don’t mind going to the hospital to have it removed.  Can you help me at all?

ANSWER: No, I'm sorry. That's against my Christian beliefs and ethics. If you want to kill your baby, there are lots of other avenues available to you. Sorry.

QUESTION: I am pregnant right now and seek to use herbal methods to abort the fetus.  It has been approx. 13 weeks since my last normal period and 11 weeks since the date of conception.  What type of herbs would you most recommend for abortion, and what are the risks that are involved?  I appreciate any feedback.  Thank you for your time.

ANSWER:  I've answered this question before on the site, but I'll restate my position. I cannot legally or ethically recommend herbs for aborting your baby. It goes against my personal belief system. Not only that, it is very dangerous. If you are bent on doing this, there are plenty of legal, medical alternatives available to you. Sorry.

QUESTION:  Can you tell me anything about safe herbs to use for an herbal abortion? Or direct me to someone who may...

ANSWER:  Cannot and will not participate in anything like that. Besides being unethical for me and against my principals, it could be very dangerous for you. My suggestion is that you seek professional guidance. Look in your yellow pages under crisis pregnancy.

ANSWERS FROM DAVID
ABORTION
QUESTION: Is there a safe herbal preparation I could use in order to terminate
pregnancy?

ANSWER: I would not use herbs for this purpose. I feel it would be inappropriate, I am sorry. 

If you have read certain herbs have been used for this purpose that is correct; the problem involved is there is a short window of opportunity to use them. And, heavy doses are used which could harm you and the herbs involved will definitely harm the fetus and would have to be followed up by a formal abortion method if not successful in the first month because they are Teratogenic and Mutagenic.

I am not being judgmental simply answering your question, the choice as to abortion or life is yours alone.