Herbal Magic offers a directory of magical herbs (both rare and common) alongside 36 spells using herbs to amplify casts for attraction, enchantment, trust, friendship, fortune, and success. The plant kingdom is one of the oldest magical tools in existence. Known for millennia to have beneficial properties for both physical and spiritual well-being, many species of plants have been incorporated into the spiritual and healing practices of cultures around the world. These magical herbs are considered incredible gifts by shamans, green witches, hedge witches, and every wild woman and wild man. This guide introduces the magical properties of plants, how to use them, and how to source them, including detailed step-by-step instructions on how to blend them seamlessly into magical recipes to harness their intrinsic powers. Tips for the budding witch cover: Uses for both common and rare magical plants Connecting with nature through the process of growing your own plants Herbal magic lore and herbal magic spell tools Tea recipes that can enhance your psychic abilities Spells for attractions, trust, fortune, and friendship Work with the energies and properties of magical plants to connect deeply with the earth and all the greenery in her dominion and magnify the power of your magic spells. The Mystical Handbook series from Wellfleet takes you on a magical journey through the wonderful world of spellcraft and spellcasting. Explore a new practice with each volume and learn how to incorporate spells, rituals, blessings, and cleansings into your daily routine. These portable companions feature beautiful foil-detail covers and color-saturated interiors on a premium paper blend. Other titles in the series include: Witchcraft, Moon Magic, Love Spells, Knot Magic, Superstitions, and House Magic.

Phytopharmaceuticals and Herbal Drugs: Prospects and Safety Issues in the Delivery of Natural Products explores the delivery aspects of plant-based drugs, providing insights into formulation constraints associated with plant-based drugs, the development of novel delivery systems based on polymers or lipids, and how combining natural products with technological advancements in drug delivery is making large strides. Some of the best-selling drugs for the treatment of diseases like cancer, ulcers and malaria are either natural products or their derivatives, all of which are covered in this comprehensive resource. This book will be useful to researchers working in plant-derived medicines and the development of their delivery systems, including sections on their derivatives and analogs that represent over 50% of all drugs in clinical use. Active ingredients originated from plant resources generally exhibit compromised desired effects limited by issues such as stability, solubility, molecular size, bioavailability and toxicity.

For twenty-four years, Llewellyn's Herbal Almanac has provided enthusiasts of all skill levels with a wealth of practical ideas on growing, using, and benefiting from nature's most dynamic plants. This impressive guide is packed with valuable information, including gardening resources, hands-on project ideas, and dozens of helpful tips and techniques. Discover a wealth of innovative herbal ideas that span gardening, cooking, crafts, health, beauty, history, and lore. This year's edition also includes profiles for mustard, elderberry, bay, and summer savory. Whether you are interested in herbs for stir-fries, no-cook sauces and marinades, foot baths, natural-made dolls, or Victorian houseplants, this wonderful almanac has something to delight your herbal practice.

The health benefits of a plant-based diet are well-known and scientific research now shows that plants have a positive effect on the mind too. Many leaves, roots and berries contain ingredients that boost cognitive skills and alleviate common problems like stress, fatigue and mood swings - without the side effects of conventional drugs. In this authoritative guide, experts in herbal medicine and neuroscience recommend plants for a wide range of problems. They explain the science behind how they work and suggest easy remedies and exercises that are pleasant to take and make part of your daily routine. Beautifully illustrated, Botanical Brain Balms is packed full of safe and natural ways to improve the way you think and feel.

Wildcraft Your Way to Wellness In Southeast Medicinal Plants, herbalist CoreyPine Shane is your trusted guide to finding, identifying, harvesting, and using 106 of the region's most powerful wild plants. Readers will learn how to safely and ethically forage, and how to use wild plants in herbal medicines, including teas, tinctures, and salves. Plant profiles include clear, color photographs, identification tips, medicinal uses and herbal preparations, and harvesting suggestions. Lists of what to forage for each season makes the guide useful year-round. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers, naturalists, and herbalists in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Discover 100 common medicinal plants and how to use them for healing and self-care with this sumptuously illustrated guide. Thanks to exceptional photographic plates showing detailed views of all parts of the fresh plant, you will quickly learn to recognise them when out foraging. For any plant lover or green witch, the beautiful photographs make this book an absolute treasure. Discover the fascinating history of these plants, their active components and therapeutic properties, and learn how to prepare safe herbal remedies including infusions, tinctures, oils and lotions. This journey into plant-based wellbeing is guided by a respected ethnobotanist and doctor of phytotherapy, meaning you can grow your knowledge of this natural science with complete confidence. The plants are ordered alphabetically, and each species has its own dedicated page packed with information. The guide covers a huge range of common plants, including almond, blackcurrant, borage, caraway, chard, chicory, dandelion, fig, hazel, ivy, juniper, nettle, poppy, cornflower, cowslip, oak, walnut, eucalyptus, fennel, flax, nasturtium, heather, horse-chestnut, jasmine, lavender, leek, mint, oregano, pomegranate, raspberry, rosemary, St. John's-wort, watercress, thyme and yarrow. At the end of the book, you'll find a small practical guide for budding herbalists, featuring useful tips for picking and preserving plants while being an environmentally responsible picker, ensuring you always show respect to nature and its 'magical' healing powers. The healing properties referenced for each plant are fully explained and there's a glossary of botanical terms to ensure that everything is clear for complete beginners. Use the two handy indexes at the end of the book to search for plants by health benefit or by name, making it quick and easy to find the perfect remedy for any ailment, condition or illness. You'll find suggested treatments for nausea, coughs, colds and flu, acne, burns, bites and sprains, as well as ideas for pain relief, skincare and aids for digestion, stress, sleep and more. This magnificent book will satisfy all your curiosities about healing plants and become your essential companion to herbal medicines and natural beauty products.

More than just a how-to book, Healing Herbs for Women is a handbook of empowerment and knowledge that every woman should own. Herbs have a long history of being used for medicinal purposes around the world. But they are more than just health aides using herbs nourishes a relationship with the earth as well as with one's own body. In addition to outlining practical guidelines for planting and harvesting, this book addresses healing completely in emotional and psychological form, with a specific emphasis on each woman's spiritual journey. Understanding and using herbs is both an art and a science. By selecting herbs that address the needs of the whole person, not just specific symptoms, you can restore the balance and harmony of your physical and mental health. Healing Herbs for Women provides instructions for practical day-to-day remedies, including salves, tinctures, and teas, and advice for learning how to start an organic garden, gather your herbs and flowers, and prepare them. If you do not want or are unable to grow your own plants, there is a resource list for sources of high-quality organic and wild-harvested herbs. Whether you are new to herbs or a seasoned gatherer, use this book to increase your connection with nature and your soul.

This book is intended to aid the student studying Chinese Herbology and preparing for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Chinese Herbology module and California Acupuncture Licensing Examination. It is highly recommended to be used to combine with my another book which is Review and Pretest for NCCAOM and California Exams in Chinese Herbology. I have been teaching Chinese Herbology and NCCAOM Board Reivew class since 2009 in Acupuncture college in the US. This book is basically the result of my teaching materials and experience. It includes over 2700 practice questions in Chinese Herbology and is intended to help the student prepare for general class exam and Board licensing exam in Chinese Herbology.

A comprehensive and lushly photographed guide to growing and using healing plants, including recipes, from the founder of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine This is the ultimate reference for anyone looking to bring the beauty and therapeutic properties of plants into their garden, kitchen, and home apothecary. Both informative and accessible, it covers how to plan your garden (including container gardening for small spaces); essential information on seed propagation, soil quality, and holistic gardening practices; 30 detailed profiles of must-know plants (including growing information, medicinal properties, and how to use them); foundational principles of herbalism; step-by-step photographic tutorials for preparing botanical medicine and healing foods; and 70 recipes for teas, tinctures, oils, salves, syrups, and more. Packed with sumptuous photography, this book will appeal to home gardeners who want to branch out to culinary and medicinal herbs, home cooks and those interested in natural wellness, and novice and skillful herbalists alike.

In this indispensable new resource both for the home apothecary and clinical practitioners, a celebrated herbalist brings alive the elemental relationships among traditional healing practices, ecological stewardship and essential plant medicines. By honouring ancient wisdom and presenting it in an innovative way, Energetic Herbalism is a profound and practical guide to family and community care for those seeking to move beyond symptom relief and into a truly holistic framework of health. Throughout, author Kat Maier invites readers to explore their personal relationships with plants and their environs as they discover diverse models of healing. Inside Energetic Herbalism, you'll find: The elements and patterns of Ayurvedic doshas for greater self-awareness as well as positive lifestyle choices The relationship of well-being to the seasons through the brilliant lens of Chinese Five Element Theory and how our emotional health is beautifully expressed through the Elements The roots and evolution of Vitalism, the traditional Western system of energetic medicine How to assess imbalances in the body using the elegant and intuitive vocabulary of the six tissue states, an emerging tool in Western herbalism The senses as the main tools for navigating through energetic herbalism A deep appreciation of the wisdom of indigenous peoples, which is the foundation of sacred plant traditions Through the rich herbal tradition of storytelling, Maier seamlessly blends theory and practice with her experience-tested herbal remedies and healing protocols. Maier stresses the critical message of how to address the challenge of threatened medicinal plant populations, offering practical and inspiriting methods for ensuring their survival. Many herbals boast a materia medica of more than 100 herbs, but in keeping with an emphasis on sustainable practice, Maier instead focuses in depth on 25 essential medicinal herbs that can be grown in most temperate climates and soils, including: Dandelion Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng) Goldenseal Burdock Calendula Echinacea Goldenrod Whether you are a seasoned clinical herbalist, an herbalist-in-training or simply someone seeking to provide the best natural health care for your family, this book is a source of inspiration, insight and answers you will return to again and again.

The Complete Language of Herbs is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 500 herbs and spices. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the herb or spice's scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. Did you know that allspice can be added to herbal mixtures to attract money or luck? Or that sprinkling arrowroot at the doors of your home will keep guests' negative energy from entering? Reaching the height of popularity during the Victorian era, floriographies-dictionaries of symbolic flower meanings-were an amusing pastime and art to subtly communicate unspoken emotions. To complement the success of The Complete Language of Flowers, author S. Theresa Dietz has scoured historic sources and compiled an equally beautiful compendium in The Complete Language of Herbs, revealing the secrets and powers of hundreds of common and forgotten herbs and spices from around the world. Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common herb and spice name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, chefs, party planners, and food enthusiasts. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, astrological self-care practices, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and symbols.

In August 2004, South Africa officially sought to legally recognize the practice of traditional healers. Largely in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and limited both by the number of practitioners and by patients' access to treatment, biomedical practitioners looked toward the country's traditional healers as important agents in the development of medical education and treatment. This collaboration has not been easy. The two medical cultures embrace different ideas about the body and the origin of illness, but they do share a history of commercial and ideological competition and different relations to state power. Healing Traditions: African Medicine, Cultural Exchange, and Competition in South Africa, 1820-1948 provides a long-overdue historical perspective to these interactions and an understanding that is vital for the development of medical strategies to effectively deal with South Africa's healthcare challenges. Between 1820 and 1948, traditional healers in Natal, South Africa, transformed themselves from politically powerful men and women who challenged colonial rule and law into successful entrepreneurs who competed for turf and patients with white biomedical doctors and pharmacists. Carefully crafted, well written, and powerfully argued, Flint's analysis of the ways that indigenous medical knowledge and therapeutic practices were forged, contested, and transformed over two centuries is highly illuminating, as is her demonstration that many "traditional" practices changed over time. Her discussion of African and Indian medical encounters opens up a whole new way of thinking about the social basis of health and healing in South Africa.

Featured here is a modern translation of a medieval herbal, with a study showing how this technical treatise on herbs was turned into a literary curiosity in the nineteenth century. The contours of this second edition replicate the first; however, it has been revised and updated throughout to reflect new scholarship and new findings. New information is presented on Oswald Cockayne, the nineteenth-century philologist who first translated the Old English medical texts for the modern world. Here the medieval text is read as an example of technical writing (i.e., intended to convey instructions/information), not as literature. The audience it was originally aimed at would know how to diagnose and treat medical conditions and knew or was learning how to follow its instructions. For that reason, while working on the translation, specialists in relevant fields were asked to shed light on its terse wording, for example, herbalists and physicians. Unlike many current studies, this work discusses the Herbarium and other medical texts in Old English as part of a tradition developed throughout early-medieval Europe associated with monasteries and their libraries. The book is intended for scholars in cross-cultural fields; that is, with roots in one field and branches in several, such as nineteenth-century or medieval studies, for historians of herbalism, medicine, pharmacy, botany, and of the Western Middle Ages, broadly and inclusively defined, and for readers interested in the history of herbalism and medicine.

Tune into the divine power of Goddess Magic, featuring a directory of deities alongside 50 spells, altars, and exaltations to amplify your highest vibes and attract fulfillment, success, friendship, growth, love, and fortune. Goddesses, both new and old, will lend their powers to those who seek their favor. Goddess Magic helps you channel divine power while also helping you find your patron deity of choice. Connect with your spiritual heritage and tap into the powers of your ancestors and all the mystical beings around you. This beautiful handbook contains well-known goddesses from the ancient world famously claimed by witches throughout the ages as well as other, less common ones, like catholic patron saints, around whom specific spells and rituals have grown. Each goddess rules over her domain, protecting and inspiring those who seek her favor with traditional rituals and spells praising her. Her symbols, favorite offerings, and favored forms of worship are all explained in the same illustrated and informative way as the previous books in the series. Here is but a taste of the powerful patrons you can learn about: HECATE is the Greek goddess of witchcraft and divination. Her roman counterpart is called TRIVIA and both accept offerings at crossroads. She transmits good news of the future, resides as a patron deity over divination spells. She's an excellent guide for new ventures and is a powerful guardian. KAMALA is an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and creativity. Invoke her to bring creative skills so that you can fill your life with pleasure and wealth of every kind by offerings of rice and ghee. MARIE LAVEAU may be the most influential American practitioner of the magical arts. The notorious Voudou Queen of New Orleans dispensed charms and potions (even saving several condemned men from the gallows), told fortunes, and healed the sick. SAINT LUCIA is the bearer of light in the darkness of winter. She is the patron saint of the blind, authors, cutlers, glaziers, laborers, martyrs, peasants, saddlers, salesmen, and stained glass workers. YEMAYA is the Yoruba Orisha or Goddess of the living Ocean, considered the mother of all. She is the source of all the waters, including the rivers of western Africa, especially the River Ogun. She is associated with the Orisha Olokin (Who is variously described as female, male, or hermaphrodite), Who represents the depths of the Ocean and the unconscious, and together They form a balance. She is the sister and wife of Aganju, the God of the soil, and the mother of Oya, Goddess of the winds. The Mystical Handbook series from Wellfleet takes you on a magical journey through the wonderful world of spellcraft and spellcasting. Explore a new practice with each volume and learn how to incorporate spells, rituals, blessings, and cleansings into your daily routine. These portable companions feature beautiful foil-detail covers and color-saturated interiors on a premium paper blend. Other titles in the series include: Witchcraft, Moon Magic, Love Spells, Knot Magic, Superstitions, House Magic, and Herbal Magic.

Guided by leading Black herbalistKaren Rose, discover how to harness the magic of plants and diasporic ancestral practices in remedies and ritual. Master Herbalist Karen Rose is a first-generation immigrant from Guyana with ancestors from Ghana, the Congo, China, and India who continues her grandmother's legacy as a healer and herbalist. In The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism, she shares her wisdom on how to partner plants and rituals to guide the process of self-healing. As you alleviate physical symptoms and heal emotional and spiritual imbalances, you will see how plants can help you stand in your power, strengthen your intuition, and provide protection. This guide to harnessing the power of plants is a practical tool for working through the symptoms of body disease and the underlying emotional and spiritual issues. Organized by major body systems-circulatory, respiratory, digestive, liver, sexual, skin, nervous systems, and immune health-The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism gives a brief overview of the physical mechanisms of the system, the spiritual correspondences associated with that system, and the plants, remedies, and rituals that can be used to bring oneself back to healing and balance. Accompanied by beautiful color illustrations of the plants, the organs they affect, and their related spirits, or orishas, each plant profile includes: Botanical and pharmacological information Planetary correspondences Ethnobotanical and historical use Healing properties and indications Methods of preparation and dosage Applying this herbal wisdom, the recipes include: 4th Chakra Heart Oil for healing a broken heart, also helpful for healing generational trauma Inspired Sleep and Dreams Tea to inspire dreams Breathe Easy Steam to improve respiratory health Immunity Chai Tea to fight off cold and flu viruses Laying Hands Stomach and Womb Oil for indigestion and menstrual discomfort A Castor Oil Pack for Liver Health to remove pain and swelling from sprains and bruises Filled with stories, ancestral recipes, and accessible practices that anyone can use, The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism shows you how to use the power of plants for spiritual and physical healing.

For the psychonaut to those curious about psychedelics, this definitive guide to seven psychedelic substances and how they are changing our world is the perfect holiday stocking stuffer. "Shows us how psychedelics can transform mental health and enhance the way we live."-Sara Gottfried MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Hormone Cure This practical guide to psychedelics will appeal to anyone interested in their own health and wellbeing: "A captivating read that shares how society can use psychedelics to transform the way we exist in the world."&#8212Robin Divine, psychedelic advocate and creator of Black People Trip Once feared and misunderstood, psychedelics have emerged as one of the most promising therapies of the 21st century. Through cutting-edge research, substances such as MDMA and LSD are being recognized as powerful keys to healing and human improvement, offering solutions for mental health issues including PTSD and depression. Similarly, plant medicines like ayahuasca, peyote, and iboga, used since time immemorial by Indigenous cultures for spiritual purposes, have been shown to promote feelings of empathy, connection, and love for the self, others, and the world around us. But how can everyday people benefit from psychedelics? And will they really transform healthcare as we know it? In Psyched, health journalist Amanda Siebert explores the history, culture, and potential of seven psychedelic substances. She interweaves real-life stories, clinical research, and interviews with the world's leading psychedelics experts and cultural allies to offer a definitive guide to these cutting-edge treatments.

The intriguing tales of the plants that have been used to heal and cure our bodies, brought to life with beautifully surreal illustrations from Alice Smith. Since the dawn of time, people have used plants as remedies, to both positive and deadly effect. These herbal treatments have become enshrined in folklore, in old wives' tales and in the curious names we have given local species. Many have also found their way into modern medicine cabinets - but not always in the form you would expect. This book imagines a physick garden of healing plants that have been used across the globe by different generations. But were Italian Renaissance women dicing with death when they dropped belladonna in their eyes? Can comfrey really be used to heal broken bones? And can St John's Wort scare away more than bad spirits? Taking you around the body, from the brain to the bowels, The Physick Garden introduces 80 plants with curious medicinal pasts. With striking illustrations and lively tales, this book will show thatsometimes there is method in the madness.

The Secrets to Healing, Resilience and Immunity With the Most Powerful Natural Medicine in History From the bestselling author of Keto Diet Long before the first pharmaceutical companies opened their doors in the 1850s, doctors treated people, not symptoms. And although we've become used to popping pills, patients have finally had it with the dangerous side effects, addiction and over-prescribing - and they're desperate for an alternative. Here's the good news: that alternative has been here all along in the form of ancient treatments used for eons in traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Greek medicine. Ancient Remedies for Modern Life is the first comprehensive layman's guide that will bring together and explain to the masses the very best of these time-tested practices. Bestselling author Dr. Axe explores the foundational concepts of ancient healing - eating right for your type and living in sync with your circadian clock. Readers will learn how traditional practitioners identified the root cause of each patient's illness, then treated it with medicinal herbs, mushrooms, CBD, essential oils and restorative mind-body practices. What's more, they'll discover how they can use these ancient treatments themselves to cope with dozens of diseases, from ADHD to diabetes, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease and beyond. Through engaging language and accessible explanations, Ancient Remedies for Modern Life offers readers everything they need to know about getting, and staying, healthy - without toxic, costly synthetic drugs.

"For covens who prefer meeting outdoors, perhaps in a garden or a deep forest clearing, The Green Witch is a delightful guide to nature magic. It's filled with practical recipes for herbal blends and potions, the properties of essential oils, and lots of ideas for healing and relaxation." -Bustle Discover the power of natural magic and healing through herbs, flowers, and essential oils in this guide to green witchcraft. At her core, the green witch is a naturalist, an herbalist, a wise woman, and a healer. She embraces the power of nature; she draws energy from the Earth and the Universe; she relies on natural objects like stones and gems to commune with the land she lives off of; she uses plants, flowers, oils, and herbs for healing; she calls on nature for guidance; and she respects every living being no matter how small. In The Green Witch, you will learn the way of the green witch, from how to use herbs, plants, and flowers to make potions and oils for everyday healing as well as how crystals, gems, stones, and even twigs can help you find balance within. You'll discover how to find harmony in Earth's great elements and connect your soul to every living creature. The green witch focuses on harmony, healing, and balance with the Earth, but also with humanity and yourself. This guide also contains easy-to-understand directions for herbal blends and potions, ritual suggestions, recipes for sacred foods, and information on how to listen to and commune with nature. Not only will you attune yourself to nature, but you will also embrace your own power. Learn about the world of the green witch and discover what the power of nature has in store for you.

A modern reference guide on the benefits of incorporating traditional Chinese medicine into modern-day therapies! The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes is an easy-to-follow introduction to the history of traditional Chinese phytomedicine. This useful guide clearly explains the basics of this unique medical system and describes in detail the therapeutic properties and use of medicinal herbs and herbal recipes. The book includes a bibliography, glossary, contact information for herbal dealers and Oriental medicine schools, and an indexed list of 300 commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs and 245 herbal recipes. In The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes, you will find the fundamentals, evolution, and development of the herbal formulas of the 4,000-year-old Oriental Materia Medica, also known as ben cao. The book contains 11 sections documenting the therapeutic applications, dosages, precautions, and modern research findings of 138 of the most popular medicinal herbs. In addition, this resource provides 101 of the most frequently prescribed master recipes by famous ancient physicians, including their origin, ingredients, actions, indications, and modern clinical uses. The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes offers an in-depth education on: tonic herbs herbs that adjust the yin and yang of the body herbs that invigorate circulation of vital energy, qi, and blood herbal tranquilizers herbal diaphoretics herbal expectorants, antitussives, and antiasthmatics herbal pain killers herbs which regulate digestion and elimination herbal diuretics herbal antipyretics, antimicrobials, and detoxicants antitumor herbs The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes provides up-to-date information on the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as how to use Chinese medicinal herbs in conjunction with Western conventions. This comprehensive reference will benefit healthcare practitioners who want to include Oriental medicine in their practice, and anyone who is interested in Chinese herbs or patients for whom conventional medicine has offered no relief.

An encyclopedia of natural home remedies, covering all the main healing techniques from aromatherapy to vitamin and nutritional therapies. Beautifully illustrated throughout, with comprehensive information on safe natural remedies to treat the whole family. More and more people today are turning to natural home remedies to treat all types of illness. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Natural Home Remedies is an encyclopedic treasure, providing authoritative information on the various treatments available for all common ailments. With sections on homeopathy, herbalism, aromatherapy, flower remedies and vitamin and nutritional therapies, the book is arranged so that information is easily and instantly accessible. Containing a therapeutic directory of common ailments, a list of natural remedies and their uses and properties, as well as a home medicine chest and practical first-aid tips, Karen Sullivan makes treating illness safe and easy.