So you’ve decided to become your own herbalist and buy a mortar and pestle and grind out some teas. But what to buy and how to you prepare it? I recommended a book in my first post, The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra. It’s been incredibly helpful to me in concocting my own recipes and has great information about the properties of herbs, what they are used for and how, diet, remedies and the uses of different herbs in the Western and Chinese traditions of medicines. I also like the website http://www.botanical.com/. It gives a comprehensive overview of the herb down to what climate it grows best in.
While teas are the most common application for herbs, there are many others. The following information was taken from The Way of Herbs:
TEAS
Infusion: This application is used to utilize the flowers or soft leaves of the herb. They are steeped in a tightly covered container with water that has just been brought to a rolling boil.
Decoction: This application is used for coarser leaves, stems, barks, and roots. The herbs are simmered for about an hour and then strained off.
The usual proportion in making a medicinal tea is one ounce of dried herbs per pint of water.
FORMENTATION OR COMPRESS
This application is used to treat swellings, pains, colds and flues. It stimulates the circulation of the blood or lymph in the area to be applied. Those herbs that are too strong to be taken internally, the body will absorb slowing.
Make an herbal tea, dipping a cloth into the tea and applying the towel over the affected area as hot as can be tolerated.
LINIMENTS
This application utilizes herbal extracts to rub into the skin for treating strained muscles and ligaments.
Four ounces dried herbs, one-pint vinegar, alcohol (grain—vodka or gin for internal, rubbing alcohol for external) or massage oil (made by combining vegetable oils like olive, sesame or almond). Allow to extract by shaking contents of containers once or twice a day for about fourteen days.
OILS
This application is used when the major properties of an herb is associated with its essential oil.
Pound fresh or dried herbs with mortar and pestle. Olive or sesame oil. Use one pint of oil to two ounces of herbs and let stand for three days.
TINCTURES
This application is good for herbs that don’t taste good or are to be taken over an extended period of time.
Four ounces powdered or cut herb with one-pint grain alcohol (brandy, vodka, gin, rum). Shake daily for about two weeks and then strain.
These are not the only possible applications, but they are some of the more widely used. You also need to remember that the shelf life for dried herbs is about a year to a year and a half. How you store them is important. Mountain Rose Herbs gives great advice about storing herbs. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/newsletter/tips_for_storing_herbs.htm
You can also used all those dried herbs you’re about to buy to make your own incense. I use self-lighting charcoals and a fireproof container (I use my cast iron cauldron). Grind up some lavender, sweet grass and sage to cleanse the energy in your space. It lifts the spirits and calms the soul.
However your decide to incorporate herbs into your life, always remember to use common sense as a patient, practitioner and consumer. Happy Herbaling!!
Image from http://www.kitchenshop.com/
While teas are the most common application for herbs, there are many others. The following information was taken from The Way of Herbs:
TEAS
Infusion: This application is used to utilize the flowers or soft leaves of the herb. They are steeped in a tightly covered container with water that has just been brought to a rolling boil.
Decoction: This application is used for coarser leaves, stems, barks, and roots. The herbs are simmered for about an hour and then strained off.
The usual proportion in making a medicinal tea is one ounce of dried herbs per pint of water.
FORMENTATION OR COMPRESS
This application is used to treat swellings, pains, colds and flues. It stimulates the circulation of the blood or lymph in the area to be applied. Those herbs that are too strong to be taken internally, the body will absorb slowing.
Make an herbal tea, dipping a cloth into the tea and applying the towel over the affected area as hot as can be tolerated.
LINIMENTS
This application utilizes herbal extracts to rub into the skin for treating strained muscles and ligaments.
Four ounces dried herbs, one-pint vinegar, alcohol (grain—vodka or gin for internal, rubbing alcohol for external) or massage oil (made by combining vegetable oils like olive, sesame or almond). Allow to extract by shaking contents of containers once or twice a day for about fourteen days.
OILS
This application is used when the major properties of an herb is associated with its essential oil.
Pound fresh or dried herbs with mortar and pestle. Olive or sesame oil. Use one pint of oil to two ounces of herbs and let stand for three days.
TINCTURES
This application is good for herbs that don’t taste good or are to be taken over an extended period of time.
Four ounces powdered or cut herb with one-pint grain alcohol (brandy, vodka, gin, rum). Shake daily for about two weeks and then strain.
These are not the only possible applications, but they are some of the more widely used. You also need to remember that the shelf life for dried herbs is about a year to a year and a half. How you store them is important. Mountain Rose Herbs gives great advice about storing herbs. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/newsletter/tips_for_storing_herbs.htm
You can also used all those dried herbs you’re about to buy to make your own incense. I use self-lighting charcoals and a fireproof container (I use my cast iron cauldron). Grind up some lavender, sweet grass and sage to cleanse the energy in your space. It lifts the spirits and calms the soul.
However your decide to incorporate herbs into your life, always remember to use common sense as a patient, practitioner and consumer. Happy Herbaling!!
Image from http://www.kitchenshop.com/
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