MEDICINAL HERBS

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

An accurate set of scales is necessary for measuring out quantities of the dried herb. (Always check that your scales are properly adjusted before you begin.)

The strainer serves a dual purpose. Not only does it carry out the obvious task of removing plant particles from the infusion, but it can also be used to increase the strength of the medicine.

Method : Pour one pint of cold water into a pan. Heat the water to boiling point, switch off the heat and wait for 30 seconds. Then sprinkle the herb into the water and stir. Never pour boiling water over the dried herb or add the herb directly to water that is still boiling, as this destroys the potency. Leave the plant material in the water for 10 minutes, giving the occasional stir. Pour the liquid through the strainer into the container. If a stronger tisane is required, re-pour the liquid through the plant particles in the strainer two or three times.

(Those who find the bitter taste of some infusions disagreeable can sweeten them with honey or brown sugar.)

Decoctions: The art of preparing a good decoction takes minutes to learn and years to master. Made correctly, they are potent medicines that need to be taken only in relatively small amounts. Made incorrectly, they are nothing short of useless.

Method: Take one ounce of the dried herb and place in a pan. Add one pint of cold water and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and allow the liquid to simmer down to 1/4 of its original volume. The decoction should then be strained.

Decoctions are particularly valuable when making medicines from roots or bark, as their active principles cannot normally be drawn out in sufficient quantities simply by making an infusion.

Tinctures: (Sometimes called macerations.) Alcohol is much more effective than water for drawing out the medicinal properties of plants. Because of this, many herbalists soak fresh or dried herbs in alcohol for prolonged periods. The resultant mixture is an extremely potent medicine that need only be administered in small amounts.

Method: There are various methods used in the manufacture of tinctures, but the simplest way is to soak one ounce of the herb in one pint of alcohol for a period of eight weeks. The container should be shaken daily for the first four weeks.

CAUTION:Never use wood alcohol or methanol as this can be a deadly poison.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print