187infl ammation.
Boneset is a favorite herb of mine. Perhaps one of the nicest accounts
of its bone-mending abilities is to be found in Tom Brown’s book Guide to
Wild, Edible and Medicinal Plants. He tells us that he broke his hand quite
badly and was informed by his doctor that it would take six to eight weeks
in a cast to mend. A Native American healer helped him. He pointed to
the boneset plant, showing him the new little leaves at the top that grew
separately, and then the lower leaves that grew together, almost as one.
“That,” he said, “is what the boneset will do for your hand!” Tom drank a
tea made from the fresh, larger leaves twice a day for the fi rst week.
During the second week he cut down to half a cup, twice a day. He felt an
almost immediate difference, a kind of tingling feeling, as if the knitting
process had started, while the dull ache and pain also went away and the
swelling subsided overnight. If it weren’t for the likes of Dr. Christopher
and Tom Brown and their links with the wise and knowledgeable Native
American healers, no one would be using boneset for healing bones.
Scientifi c analysis can fi nd no reason why boneset should heal bones, but
it obviously does.
My personal knowledge of boneset also goes back years, and I have
many stories of bones that have mended very quickly. In addition, I have
noticed in my family (which is not disposed to bone breaking) how
quickly it delivers calcium to the body. Weak, broken, and torn nails can
be made into strong ones, and growing pains can subside in hours.
Comfrey leaf used to be a favorite herb in Europe for mending bones, but
the recent public ban on its general internal use has meant that it is not
possible to use this plant in this way anymore. It can still be used
externally, however, and it is very effective as a bone-mending poultice or
ointment.
natural healing
Much benefi t can be derived from practitioners who are able to
manipulate, massage, and cajole muscles, bones, and joints into correct
positions. These include osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists,
and many other kinds of bodyworkers, from acupuncturists and
physiotherapists to yoga teachers. This sort of work is sometimes vital for
the well-being of external functions but also for the proper working of all
organs and systems as well as the neurological pathways radiating from
the entire length of the spine that service them. In fact, the well-being of
the spine alone is crucial, and much is rightly made of this concern in
yoga. It provides an ideal way to service and tune one’s framework and
internal organs at the same time.
A poultice made from turmeric rhizome is a handy kitchen option for