Are herbalism and homeopathy the same?
No, these are different healing modalities. Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is considered a valid, legal healing system in several countries, including Germany and the United States. It was devised by a man named Samuel Hahnemann, a German in the late 1800s who believed "like cures like." This meant that an illness with a certain symptom could be cured by something that causes that very same symptom. Hahnemann took items from nature (including herbs, animal matter, and minerals) and diluted them. Imagine making a large pot of tea and then taking a drop of that tea and adding it to a large pot of water. Then, take a drop of that dilution and add it to another large pot of water. Eventually there is very little, if anything, left of the original pot of tea. Could you find any chemical similarity between the dilution and the original tea? Hardly. But energetically there is something there: this is the idea behind homeopathy. Today, homeopathy is a very scientific healing system that is considered very safe. It is all based on symptoms, and it uses substances in addition to herbs, as well as poisonous herbs, in order to bring about healing.
This is very different from herbalism. Herbal therapies have been used for millenia, and indeed were probably the second form of healing, after water therapies. Using herbs means collecting plant materials--not animal or mineral substances. Plants cause various reactions in the body (some good, some bad) and these can be utilized for healing. Herbal remedies are not dilutions: they are concentrates. The herb in use will be selected based on its direct effect on the body or on the virus, bacteria, or fungus causing the sickness (as opposed to the symptom being expressed). Herbal medicine is very specific and acts in various methods (for instance, an herb can be an adaptogen, a vulnerary, an emetic, etc.).
For more information about homeopathy (which is NOT what Vineyard Herbs does), please refer to books or articles about Samuel Hahnemann or homeopathy.
What do you extract the herbs into?
Going by long-standing herbal tradition, we use a variety of "menstruums" to extract the herbal principles from the plant. Depending on the intended use and the type of plant, and the part of the plant used, we choose the specific menstruum. Listed below are the liquids we use as well as the reasoning behind it. Vineyard Herbs uses ALL NATURAL extract menstruums--never synthetic or harmful (like petroleum, lard, hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils, or isopropyl alcohol).
Water Water is the basis of all life, and as such should be the first remedy of choice if you or someone you are treating is ill. Bathing does wonders; hot-and-cold treatments help; drinking plenty of fresh water nourishes the body and hydrates all those living cells so they can function. In addition, steeping our amazing healing plants in water (for tisanes, infusions and decoctions) is truly the best way to glean the benefit from the plant and promote healing. The first thing I reach for when sick is a tea; herbs steeped in water are readily bioavailable to the body and quick to be distributed to all the body's systems.
Vegetable Glycerine We employ this byproduct of soap-making to extract certain plant materials. This is a food-grade liquid, GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia that tastes very sweet. It is safe and pleasant-tasting for children, which makes it a good children's syrup ingredient.
Vinegar We use vinegar (generally organic apple cider vinegar with the 'mother') to extract certain plants. This is an excellent way to pull the iron and other minerals out of dandelion root, burdock root, yellow dock root, among others. It also pulls minerals out of plant leaves, such as nettles, and in such a way that forms a beautiful salad dressing. As Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Vinegar, however, has a short shelf life and will keep reliably only 6 months or so. Stored in the refrigerator it will keep longer, especially if other menstruums such as alcohol are added. In addition to being a wonderful iron extractor, it pulls calcium out as well. Susun Weed suggests steeping bones in vinegar to release the calcium
Alcohol Strong plants and tough, fibrous plant parts require something strong to elicit the tannins, enzymes, bitters, herbal alcohols, resins, and other constituents from them. We use brandy and vodka (grain alcohol) for this purpose. Not only do alcohols pull from the plant the essential ingredients, but sometimes it is the only thing that will. Resins, for instance, are not water soluble, but they are soluble in spirits (brandy, for instance).
Oil For external preparations, use oil for making a salve, or simply by itself. Rubbing oil (such as olive, canola, sunflower, almond or jojoba) oils on the skin is nourishing and healing. Add comfrey, plantain or violet leaf to that oil and you've created a potent Wise Woman medicine. Vineyard Herbs uses canola oil and olive oil in its salves because these are thick enough to stand being made into salves or ointments, and they have a high heat capacity. To learn how to make a salve or tricks to keep them potent and effective, see the Salves page.
Witch Hazel Instead of rubbing alcohol for liniments, I prefer Witch Hazel. It acts virtually the same, drawing out properties from plants for a strong external rub or disinfectant, but it does not have the laboratory's chemical structure that isopropyl alcohol does. Instead, it is a distillate of the bark of the tree Hamamelis virginiana. It is much stronger than a tea, and as such is ONLY to be used externally.
What is the shelf life for your products?
It depends on the type of product and what sorts of preservatives are used. Vineyard Herbs uses only natural ingredients (not chemical or synthetic preservatives) and these have various effects on shelf life.
For instance, our salves are made with oils, plant extracts, and beeswax. That's it. That's why they are so good for your skin. But we don't add synthetics, so the salves will not last forever. We guarantee one year shelf life, but it's very possible that with proper storage (cool temperature and dry air) you will realize 2 or more years of shelf life. A salve is too old if it smells musty or if the texture is no longer creamy but rubbery and dry.
Herbal vinegars often have so much water content in them that they will last about 6 months. This is typical of most herbal vinegars you will find at Farmer's Markets and stores. Check you vinegar for mold floating near the top (any sediment at the bottom is probably normal and does not indicate spoilage). Vinegar based tinctures will turn metal lids blue or black and will gum up in the inside of the lid; this means they are too old.
Herbal teas (dry bulk teas) stored in our tin canisters will keep fresh and usable for at least one year, probably more. Keep them away from heat and wet areas (do NOT store them above the kitchen stove!). Generally, dried herbs lose their potency after a year. Use them and enjoy them!
Last, herbal tinctures, concentrates, and extracts are all alcohol based. This means they have an extremely long shelf life--even 10 years or so. Many of my tinctures prepared with vodka or brandy are still viable and strong after 10-12 years. Again, store them in a dark place with a tight lid. They should smell of the herb used, and of a bright, rich alcohol smell. Be careful with syrups prepared with sugar: they tend to keep a long time, but best store them in the refrigerator. Shake well as sediment settles at the bottom; otherwise, enjoy them knowing they are beneficial for a long time.
Do you sell wholesale?
Yes, Vineyard Herbs sells its popular teas and salves wholesale. We do not sell our liniments, syrups, lotions or tinctures wholesale at this point. Please contact us to discuss wholesale options and to obtain a price sheet.
Do you make custom medicines or teas?
Yes, we create custom medicines and teas based on a person's individual request. Please refer to our Custom Order Page. We ask for one month's notice, partly due to the fact that we try to prepare our medicines with fresh, local plants. Custom tinctures are made in 4 oz bottles and begin at $40. Custom teas can be ordered singly (one tin or more). Large groups (such as schools) that request custom teas with custom labels are asked to give a two month notice.
For any custom formula, please refer to our Do Not Use list of at-risk plants. These include ginseng and goldenseal, as well as other plants listed by United Plant Savers as threatened or at-risk. Thank you for your help in protecting these plants by not ordering products with these ingredients.
Vineyard Herbs is a member of United Plant Savers.
Where do you get your herbs?
Holly Bellebuono practices the ancient skill of wild-crafting, whereby she locates wild plants, identifies them, harvests the medicinal part, and prepares them in formulas. She also grows a few herbs organically, and she barters with local gardeners for what she doesn't grow or wild-craft. Roughly 85% of the herbs in Vineyard Herbs tinctures, syrup, liniments, and salves are grown or harvested by Holly. We also purchase dried herbs from reputable sources for our teas, for the simple reason that we do not own or operate a drying facility, and without such a facility all the herbs will mold when the attempt is made to dry them. Our teas, however, are very high quality and the blends are formulated by Holly and prepared in small batches.
Holly learned how to wildcraft by following around elderly mountaineers in the deep woods of rural Appalachia, especially in the North Carolina mountains. Older men and women who had grown up with wild plants and wild medicines showed Holly how to identify plants and collect their roots, berries, bark, leaves and flowers, and what to do with them. Many of these traditions are being lost, but young herbalists who are dedicated to preserving these old ways (and this valuable knowledge) do well by listening to these "old-timers" and making a point to remember and record this vast quantity of botanical knowledge.
Are all of your teas based on Martha's Vineyard?
Yes, each of our popular herbal teas is labeled with a "hand-crafted on Martha's Vineyard" label and name. These evocative names are perfect for visitors to take home from the island and therefore make great additions to store shelves and restaurants here on Martha's Vineyard.
How can I book Holly for a lecture?
Holly has lectured and taught for a variety of audiences in the past 12 years. She has been a guest teacher at small classrooms, including those of Watauga College in North Carolina, The Polly Hill Arboretum and a variety of elementary schools and nature camps; and a guest speaker for the Nursing Programs at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and the Watauga County Hospital. She has also lectured for larger venues, including Appalachian State University and The North Carolina Herb Association Fall Conference.
Holly is a passionate speaker and brings to life the relationship between people and plants, both past and present. She combines factual knowledge of herbs and botany with world folklore and mythology. This makes for a vibrant lecture that is a combination of modern herbalism and armchair travel!
Topics include:
1) Herbal Tonics
2) Appalachian Herbs and Folkways
3) Extraordinary Women in Herbalism (Ancient and Contemporary)
4) Lemon Balm: The Powerhouse Healer
5) Making Teas, Tonics and Cordials: The Single Secret Formula
6) Creating Herbal Salves
Holly's fees, plus expenses, for all conference engagements are negotiable. Please contact Holly to arrange a vibrant and lively lecture for your event.
Do you schedule herb walks on private property?
Yes, Holly schedules herb walks on privately owned land, for the owner's benefit. This is a very popular service and allows the owner to learn about the edible and medicinal plants right outside his or her front door. Holly provides a detailed written botanical inventory along with a personal walk-about on the property. It takes about an hour-and-a-half; for the owner(s) (up to three people) the fee is $60. Additional friends and family are welcome at $20 each.
Holly requests a notice of at least one week prior to your preferred herb walk date. Very large properties (more than 2-3 acres) will accrue an additional $60 per half hour.
How did you train?
Holly trained as a medicinal herbalist with a variety of teachers. The best, of course, were the plants and plain-old trial and error. Many of Holly's best mentors and teachers were "old timers," elderly men and women of the Appalachian Mountains who walked with her across acres and acres of mountains, streams, hillsides, woodlands and meadows, explaining the old philosophies, identifying plants not commonly used anymore, and giving their "old-timey" names--often names not heard anymore. This folk knowledge is crucial to keeping alive the heritage of herbalism.
Holly also studied and received a certificate through David Hoffmann, a world-reknowned herbalist from Wales and California. She has attended many herbal conferences, including Medicines From the Earth, International Herb Symposium, North Carolina Herb Assocation Fall Conference (Holly was a speaker), and the Women's Herbal Conference.
She received a Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a Master's of Public Administration in Environmental Policy from Appalachian State University.
Do you take apprentices?
Over the years Holly has taken on apprentices, but not very often. Because Holly operates out of her home, it is difficult to arrange a set schedule which can accommodate both the students and Holly's family. She has mentored high-school aged students (locally at Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School) and anticipates that the summer of 2009 will see a greater opportunity for taking on apprentices.
If you are interested in pursuing herbalism, are very flexible with your schedule, are planning to be on Martha's Vineyard Island or you already live here, and you are available to help at the West Tisbury Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the season, please contact Holly to discuss the possibility of an extended apprenticeship or unpaid internship. Many schools will willingly accept this internship for credit, as detailed classes, literature, hands-on experience, business and entrepreneurial training, botanical identification, history, mythology, art, economics, wilderness survival skills, and more are included in this internship, which can last anywhere from 3-9 months depending on the needs of the student.
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