Not So Sure About This!

  It should come as no great surprise that I will reach for an herb before a pill.  While I have nothing against modern medicine, doctors or their vast knowledge, I still prefer to know exactly what I am putting in my mouth or applying to my body.  I will, however, listen to my doctor and take what he prescribes if he fully explains why I am to do this and if I fully agree that it is needed.   It has long been my thinking that the patients never ask enough questions about their health care.   I have been known to fully refuse to take some medicines that were prescribed as they were merely given to me to shut me up.  Nope, I want to know why I hurt, what is causing it, what the medicines are going to do to my body, how long it will take and if it is a permanent fix.  But, at the same time, I am leery of some of the so-called herbal remedies.  If you do not study enough, you are just liable to make things a whole lot worse.  With today's readily available "credible" information via the Internet, a lot of things are tossed out there that can cause major problems.  As I always say, check with your doctor BEFORE trying any herbal cure.  A lot of the information that is thrown at us is not accurate by far.  

  Just today, I made a discovery that probably should be tossed out there in the mix.  I have Gloriosa Lilies growing everywhere.  Staying true to the lore behind them, those things will take over the place if allowed.  The plants, though beautiful, are highly invasive and since I have been concentrating on the remodeling job, I have rather neglected the yard.  This afternoon as I strolled through the gardens, I was greeted by hundreds of the lilies in bloom.  Granted they were a bit battered by the rainstorm of the day but their bright blooms still brought a smile.  They always make me think of Pop and his gorgeous flower gardens that filled the yard.  Then a memory from Pop's great wisdom..."Don't eat any part of those lilies.  They are poisonous and could kill you."  Pop passed along all sorts of things that have come in extremely handy in my later years.  Not that I had an itching to munch a lily but it is good to know.  

  Curious, I did a bit of research on the Gloriosa Lily.  To my surprise, I am finding article after article that refers to the lily's ability to cure just about everything but baldness.  A lot of the sites claimed that "extract from the stems can kill lice"....alright, that may be ok if applied topically.  "The root heals snakebite"....huh?  I guess if you die, it was the snake's fault and not a poisonous tuber.  "The tuber heals cancer, cures leprosy and eases constipation."  Wow!  Why has the medical field not jumped on this one???  Then, one article claims that it has "great medicinal uses such as abortion, suicide and homicide."  Can any of those be filed under great medicinal uses?  Sounds sort of like just the opposite to me.

  I had to giggle when, in one article, a huge disclaimer banner rolled across the screen."This site is not to be held responsible if death occurs while following some of the remedies recommended here."  WAIT???? WHAT?????  Well, at least they covered themselves, I guess.

  So, it sounds like Pop was right about this lily.  DON"T EAT ANY PART OF IT!!!  Enjoy the beauty of the flame colored blooms and the delicate whorls of leaves but do NOT ingest any of it....and make sure you follow the advice of your doctor not some Internet wannabe herbalist.  Never..ever go out and grab a plant thinking that it is perfectly safe because you read about it somewhere. (And I am sure there are those who will contradict me but so be it.  My whole point here is to warn folks to use herbs and plants wisely, knowledgeably and carefully.  Reread that other site's disclaimer before taking a bite.  That should be warning enough!)  Thanks, Pop.  You are a lifesaver!