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There are many methods you can use to apply a natural herb, internally or externally. This page will explain the different herbal preparation methods in more detail:
Herbal Compress:
Make a decoction or infusion and dip a cloth into the solution. Place the wet and warm cloth onto the affected areas for about twenty minutes.
Herbal Compress:
Make a decoction or infusion and dip a cloth into the solution. Place the wet and warm cloth onto the affected areas for about twenty minutes.
Herbal Decoction:
Basically, this means to boil the herb. This is frequently done with roots, seeds, and some of the upper plant parts, such as leaves, stems, and (sometimes) flowers. Use one ounce of dried herb or two ounces of fresh herb in one pint of cool water. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for fifteen minutes to one hour, according to the plant (woody roots and seeds need to be boiled longer than leaves or flowers. Dose: One tablespoon to one-half cup three times a day.
Basically, this means to boil the herb. This is frequently done with roots, seeds, and some of the upper plant parts, such as leaves, stems, and (sometimes) flowers. Use one ounce of dried herb or two ounces of fresh herb in one pint of cool water. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for fifteen minutes to one hour, according to the plant (woody roots and seeds need to be boiled longer than leaves or flowers. Dose: One tablespoon to one-half cup three times a day.
Herbal Infusion:
This is a method of making teas or washes. To make a basic tea use one teaspoon of herb to one cup of very hot water. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for ten minutes. Strain through cloth, a coffee filter, or a plastic strainer. According to the plant and condition treated, this tea can be drunk or poured over the affected area.
A strong tea is made with two teaspoons of herb per cup of hot water. It should be made fresh for each dosage or kept no more than a few hours. Dose: One-half to one cup three to four times a day.
This is a method of making teas or washes. To make a basic tea use one teaspoon of herb to one cup of very hot water. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for ten minutes. Strain through cloth, a coffee filter, or a plastic strainer. According to the plant and condition treated, this tea can be drunk or poured over the affected area.
A strong tea is made with two teaspoons of herb per cup of hot water. It should be made fresh for each dosage or kept no more than a few hours. Dose: One-half to one cup three to four times a day.
Herbal Poultice:
There are a number of ways to make a poultice, but all involve the use of some portion of the herb in direct contact with the body. Parts of an herb (leaves, seeds, stems, or other) can be boiled or simply crushed or chopped to make a poultice. There are those who even chew an herb and apply the chewed mass to an injury, but it is best to crush the herb and add a bit of water to them before applying a poultice.
Poultices are frequently used on open wounds, swellings, boils, or sores. The herb may be placed directly on the area to be treated or between two thin layers of cloth to keep it in place. If the herb that is used is irritating (such as mustard), put a coating of grease or oil on the skin before applying the poultice. If the skin begins to show redness, discontinue the treatment.
There are a number of ways to make a poultice, but all involve the use of some portion of the herb in direct contact with the body. Parts of an herb (leaves, seeds, stems, or other) can be boiled or simply crushed or chopped to make a poultice. There are those who even chew an herb and apply the chewed mass to an injury, but it is best to crush the herb and add a bit of water to them before applying a poultice.
Poultices are frequently used on open wounds, swellings, boils, or sores. The herb may be placed directly on the area to be treated or between two thin layers of cloth to keep it in place. If the herb that is used is irritating (such as mustard), put a coating of grease or oil on the skin before applying the poultice. If the skin begins to show redness, discontinue the treatment.
Herbal Salve:
Tie herbs in a loose cloth bag and place it in the top part of a double boiler. Add one-half cup of lard, vegetable shortening, or petroleum jelly. Heat over boiling water and agitate the bag until it is well saturated with oil. Continue to heat for three to four hours. Add about one tablespoon of bee's wax if the salve is not for immediate use. This will prevent the oil from becoming rancid. Pour into container and cool. If the salve is needed quickly the time can be decreased to one hour, but it will not have the same strength as that heated for a longer period.
Tie herbs in a loose cloth bag and place it in the top part of a double boiler. Add one-half cup of lard, vegetable shortening, or petroleum jelly. Heat over boiling water and agitate the bag until it is well saturated with oil. Continue to heat for three to four hours. Add about one tablespoon of bee's wax if the salve is not for immediate use. This will prevent the oil from becoming rancid. Pour into container and cool. If the salve is needed quickly the time can be decreased to one hour, but it will not have the same strength as that heated for a longer period.
Tincture:
Fresh Plants can be tinctured by placing one part herb in a jar and adding two parts alcohol such as Everclear or vodka. Leave the solution in the dark for ten to fourteen days, shaking the jar daily. Strain the liquid off and store it in a dark bottle.
For powdered, dried herbs: Measure and mix 210 cc Everclear or vodka with 90 cc pure water (distilled is best). Add thirty grams by weight of the dried powdered herb. Set in a cool dark place and agitate daily for fourteen days. Strain as with the fresh plant tincture. Dose: Usually twenty to sixty drops three to four times daily.
Fresh Plants can be tinctured by placing one part herb in a jar and adding two parts alcohol such as Everclear or vodka. Leave the solution in the dark for ten to fourteen days, shaking the jar daily. Strain the liquid off and store it in a dark bottle.
For powdered, dried herbs: Measure and mix 210 cc Everclear or vodka with 90 cc pure water (distilled is best). Add thirty grams by weight of the dried powdered herb. Set in a cool dark place and agitate daily for fourteen days. Strain as with the fresh plant tincture. Dose: Usually twenty to sixty drops three to four times daily.
Herbal Preparation Methods
