ABOUT “CAT:”

Cathy (Cat) Farneman has been using medicinal plants for over twenty-five years.  She started growing specific medicinal herbs in her garden in 1973.  She began collecting medicinal herbs from the countryside for her own use and making herbal medicinal compounds about ten years ago.  This quickly grew into sharing these herbal “medicines” with family and friends. Cathy grew up in Southern California and has lived in most of the western states.  She and her husband, Hal, travel all over the west collecting medicinal herbs, often hiking far into the desert, into forests, or onto mountains to get away from roads and other polluting sources in order to gather the plants.  They have established an herbal trading network in order to get herbs from areas where they cannot always travel.  The process of preserving the collected herbs, extracting the medicinal properties and making useful herbal medicinal compounds is presently one of the major focuses of their lives.

Cathy learned about using the medicinal properties of herbs from several seminars, training courses and classes, as well as from reading over 40 books on this subject.  She has been fortunate to have several herbalists and “medicine” people give her hands-on training in these practices.  Having spent most of her childhood up in trees, Cathy has found a special affinity for plants and nature, especially a deep connection with medicinal plants.

Cathy and Hal attend Primitive Skills Gatherings in several states where Cathy teaches a twenty-hour course on Medicinal Herbs. This course includes instruction on identifying and collecting medicinal plants, preserving them, and making medicinal compounds from them.  In the process of sharing useful information, Cathy also learns about medicinal herbs from areas of the country and world that are unfamiliar to her, thus ever expanding her knowledge and use of medicinal plants.

ABOUT THE “HERBAL MEDICINES” AND PRODUCTS SHE PRODUCES:

Cathy first started with herbal teas.  Then, as stronger medicinal properties were needed, she learned to  use an alcohol extraction method called tincturing.  From there she expanded into making herbal oils and salves formulated specifically for the various special needs of her family.  For example, when Hal needed some medicine to combat a persistent case of athlete’s foot, Ultra Salve was created.  Most of the combination herbal tinctures, such as “Cold and Flu Tincture,” came about from taking doses of several different tinctures at once to control symptoms and fight a microbial  infection of some sort.  After researching the effectiveness and possible contraindications of combining these herbs, she finally decided to mix the desired tinctures together to create a “remedy” that was easier to take. Today, Cat’s herbal medicine cupboard is quite full of a variety of different herbs and several types of medicinal compounds, as well as “alternative” medicinal helps such as Ear Cones, Sinus Powder, and some products that are more cosmetic in nature, such as Lotion Bars.

Most information on medicinal herbs comes from oral and written traditions of use among people over the centuries.  Many uses developed long before we had modern pharmaceutical medicines available. Many of today’s pharmaceuticals are based on synthesized versions of the healing properties found originally in medicinal plants.  Extensive testing of medicinal herbs has been done in Europe and Asia and much of the information we have today is based upon the results of that testing and use.  Statements about the use and effectiveness of herbal medicines are based upon personal use and experience. No claims are being made about healing or about what experience you might have with them. Caution should be exercised when using herbal medicines and if you are under treatment for a specific ailment you should consult with your medical professional before using herbal medicines.

The effects of medicinal herbs are more subtle than most pharmaceuticals.  The healing properties of medicinal plants are, for the most part, meant to kill the invading organism and reduce the symptoms to relieve stress to the body so that the body can heal itself.  They often help to reduce the toxic effect of disease, which aids in the healing process.

TINCTURES:

One exception to the alcohol tinctures is SUPER CIDER–STAY WELL TONIC, which is an apple cider vinegar extraction.  It is meant to strengthen and “feed” the body to help keep it well.

SALVES:

Additionally, these salves have essential oils of herbs which have aromatic properties that can be used to relieve sinus pressure and chest congestion, thus opening nasal and breathing passages when infection symptoms have congested them. The aroma is also soothing and relaxing.  Uses for the other salves and balms are described on the labels.

EAR CONES (also called EAR CANDLES):  Ear coning dates back to ancient times. It is reported that the spiral of the burning cone and the smoke in the ear canal work together to draw out physical and emotional debris and stimulate circulation to the ear and upper lymph system which brings about the body’s natural healing abilities. Herbs added to the melted beeswax also work their healing powers.  This is a very relaxing and non-invasive procedure. Remember, this is a home remedy. No claim is made for any cure for any disease. User must assume full responsibility for Ear Cone use.