Hi Birdboy, "Also we learned about milk thistle and its protective properties on the liver during amanita mushroom poisonings, but the professor never said what part of the plant was used. I am looking for the plant on the trade page, but I would like to know what part to use. I'm assuming small amounts taken as a tea would just have good general liver benefits." I buy Milk Thistle in capsules at the grocery store. Using it in capsule form is said to be the most effective use of this product. "The active ingredient, or liver-protecting compound in milk thistle is known as silymarin. This substance, which actually consists of a group of compounds called flavonolignands, helps repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also keeps new liver cells from being destroyed by these same substances, reduces inflammation (important for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and has potent antioxidant effects. Most milk thistle products are standardized preparations extracted from the fruits (seeds) of the plant. Most preparations are standardized to contain 70% to 80% of flavonolignans (silibinin, silychristin, and silydianin), collectively known as silymarin. " Here's a link about Milk Thistle: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/milk-thistle-000266.htm As an aside to naysayers who claim only an MD can treat diabetes, my stepmother had a severe case of diabetes and was able to modify her diet and exercise (over two years) to the point that she now is back to the "pre diabetes" stage of health. Her MD, previously against using anything "unverified" is amazed and constantly asking what she did. Will it work/is it for everyone? No. Is it possible to alter one's habits to the point of reversing "un-curable" disease? YES!!! Regarding beans: I don't know what secondary compounds are found in beans, but it's the soluble fiber in the beans that make them effective. It does depend on the type of bean you are ingesting, not all beans are equal. You can achieve the same benefits by drinking psyllium husk or eating other foods high in soluble fiber. Here are a couple of links that may be interesting: http://howtoprevent-heartdisease.com/fiber.php http://www.aaccnet.org/cerealfoodsworld/samplepdfs/CFW-51-0016.pdf http://www.medicinenet.com/fiber/page3.htm http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=408538&showpars=true&fy=2004

Many of our medical people have not yet accepted that exposure to many of the poisons sprayed on land that is "conventionally" farmed can cause chronic health problems even though they recognize they can cause acute health problems. Exposure to more then one could cause a symbiotic relationship that is not healthy. That some people are more susceptible to adverse reactions to these poisons is also a known and if that person is exposed to more than one of these potential allergins can cause even larger problems. Unfortunately the only way to find put if a person is suscetible to any substance is to expose them to that substance. While an allergist can, and will, test someone for these types of allergies it will only be done if there is good reason to suspect there is a need. So alaria121 if you are still able to please update us on what, if anything has been found.

betzie, Despite my stupidity on assuming all sage is edible, I've been reading up on herbs for a while now. All herbs are plants, but not all plants are herbs. (Yeah, you probably knew that, but wanted to start at the beginning. LOL) I've read four books, and two magazines on herbs in the last year, and none of them have the same list for what they consider "herb," so, apparently the line is foggy. The definition seemes to be "plants with more then one purpose." The ones I was asking about were the culinary ones! Some of the others that I know about (and knew were poisonous) serve other purposes: Tansy was and can still be used to keep ants and other insects from even wanting to come into your home, if planted near the steps. It was also dropped on colonial floors and windows, because of it's pine smell, to freshen up the closed up winter home, before deodorant was invented. Indigo was used for purple dyes. Matter of fact, many plants under the heading of "herb" were used for dyes -- both for clothing or painting. Aloe is good for burns, and I'm sure you can start thinking of other purposes folks use plants for, besides spices. Frankly, I was surprised when someone told me that lily-of-the-valley was poisonous. I didn't know it was considered an herb, and never considered eating it. Now I know not to eat it. LOL Now, it's hard to answer your question specifically, because some books call roses "herbs," because you can eat the petals and rose hips (not the stemans, pistons, or rest of the plant), while others don't list them at all. Some daylilies are edible, and one kind of marigold (pot marigold) is edible, but the rest aren't. And then the whole thing gets very blurry, when you realize some plants that are considered poisonous are consumed anyway -- elderberries! (Apparently, only a problem if you drink too much, but what is too much?) I was also surprised to find out my brother served us something poisonous for dinner, years ago -- pokeweed! It was delicious and grows as a weed around here, but reading up on it, I no longer have the guts to try it. The rhubarb stems are edible, but nothing else. It's all very confusing. Back in the olden days (last year) before I knew some herbs that I assumed were for cooking are poisonous, I also tried lavander on pizza -- yummy! Had it again tonight! (Don't know if it's poisonous or not, but hasn't killed us yet. Then again, we don't eat a lot, and we ate Russian Sage for a couple of years, too. Maybe, I'm not the one who should list the edibles. LOL) I do suggest reading books about herbs. It's been fun! I've learned how to make dried wreathes for soups or Christmas. I've also learned more uses for herbs besides the Simon and Garfunkel herbs (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme. ;) ) Now, if garden centers and nurseries would be kind enough to realize that some of us (me!!!) are simply naive, and actually tell us that the plants called "sage" are poisonous. LOL

Pretty kitty Liz. The story of the bat reminds me when we had the antiques mall in the school building, it was not unusual to be standing behind the register waiting on a customer in the evening and to see a bat swoop down from the up stairs and the customers would never notice. The bats were bad too about setting off the alarm at night and we would have to drive all the way into town and check things out. The police would always give us a call and go there. They were nice about it. Anyway glad the snake didn't bite anyone. Sue