July 2009

Dear Friends,

We are excited to be able to offer Cryptolepis extract!  Please visit http://www.woodlandessence.com/herbal.htm to place an order through Pay Pal. 

Forest Blessings,

Woodland Essence

Information about Cryptolepis

This exceptional vine grows in Africa, where it is harvested for its yellow root, and used for fevers, as an anti-malarial and for a host of other diseases, including jaundice, and hepatitis. 

It is a good reminder for those of us using herbs from around the world, where the wildcrafters in their small villages gather the medicine plants that can help those of us in the west, that it takes time to travel to the sites where the plants grow, to harvest, prepare and dry the herbs in a clean, dry area, to package the herb and then walk to the next village, where more wildcrafters from other villages are bringing their herbs.  From here the herbs are taken to a larger city where the middle-person purchases the roots and prepares them for shipping, first dealing with customs of the country.  The roots are then shipped to the US where they go through our customs and into the hands of the herbal company.  From there the roots are shipped to the herbalist preparing the extract, which takes more time to be ready for the individual consumer.  In the case of Cryptolepis it becomes quite a journey from the African deciduous and rainforests to you.

* During times when Cryptolepis is not available, there is an alternate herbal formula that can be used.  The formula consists of two herbs; Artemisia annua ( Sweet Annie- leaves) used for the prevention and treatment of malaria and parasites, and Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Root), a cooling bitter that is used as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.  The dose is ¼ to ½ teaspoon in water 3-4x/day.  See “Mahonia/ Artemisia Formula” under Featured Extracts on the website if you are interested in ordering. 

Precautions

Do not take Oregon grape root if you have chronic diarrhea, a duodenal ulcer, or excessive stomach acid, as it could make these conditions worse. Also, do not use if pregnant.