Herbal Preparations

There are many ways to take herbs. Herbal tea is probably the most popular and one of the easiest. Then there's infusions, decoctions, tinctures, extracts, pills and capsules, fomentations, poultices, ointments and liniments, and syrups. When do you use each type? That is the topic of today's blog.

Herbal Tea - This is the most popular way to take an herb. Mix 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 2 teaspoons of fresh herb with 1 cup of boiling water, let it steep and drink it.

Infusion - This is prepared like a tea except you use 1 oz. of dried herb or 2 oz. of fresh herb to 1 cup of boiling water and you let it steep 10 -20 minutes.

Decoction - is used for bark, roots and stems. You take 1 oz. of   herb and simmer it in a pot for 10 - 20 minutes or until the water level has gone down by 1/3 .

Tincture - is the maceration of the herb. Take the herb and mix it with alcohol. Vodka works good. You put the two into a jar and seal. Keep in a cool dark place. Let it sit for 2 weeks and shake daily. After the two weeks is up you strain your mixture in cheesecloth and put the liquid into dark colored bottles with droppers and seal. If you cannot use alcohol you can use vinegar or vegetable glycerin.

Extract - An extract is more potent than a tincture and requires special equipment to make. It cannot be made at home. Extracts can be purchased at herb shops and health food stores.

Pills and capsules - These are available everywhere and are perhaps the simplest way to take your herbs. Empty capsules can be found at health stores and you can fill your own if you wish.

Fomentations -  For a fomentation you boil a  decoction of the herb in water. For a cold fomentation let the water cool. Dip a cloth in the water and apply to the body at the affected area.

Poultices - With the poultice you can apply fresh bruised or mashed herbs, or dry herbs can be used. Pour over enough boiling water to wet the mixture. Put the herb matter directly on the skin. Bran or ground flaxseed can be added to give the mixture bulk. Wrap the mixture in a cloth before applying. Change periodically to retain warmth.

Ointments and liniments - are rather complicated and messy to make, though they can be made at home. I prefer to get a preparation at the health shop.

Syrups - are really useful for colds and coughs. Usually the herbal product is mixed with honey or sugar. Sometimes it is made into lozenges.

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Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.lullval@clearwire.net