TEAS: The most common way to turn healthful herbs into medicines is by brewing up a tea. There are many that may not be pleasant tasting at times. So most can always have either another herb added to take the bitterness away, or honey is widely used as a natural sweetener. Clover Honey, that can be purchased in most any grocery store is a a sweeter and purer honey. Raw honey has usually too many impure elements contained within it.
Making a tea is basically the same amount each time, which is about 1 ounce of the dried tops or leaves, flowers or stems, whichever is called for in the recipes.
*Commercially prepared herb tea bags, in contrast, contain only about one seventh that amount of herbs per pint pint of boiled water. Usually the dried herb is preferred since it has more concentrated oils.*
As a general practice, when you wish to substitute dried herbs for fresh herbs in a recipe, you should decrease the quantities called for unless the recipe directs otherwise. Fresh herbs contain much more water than dried herbs, and so they are proportionally less potent.
INFUSION: Is brewed tea that is brewed for 15 minutes to several hours and in larger quantities, then kept in a bottle for use over a days time. One pint- if you drink 1/2 cup 3 times daily. should be enough for one complete day.
The difference between infusions and tisanes, which are teas prepared 1 cup at a time for immediate use. Tisanes are steeped very briefly- no longer than it takes to make a cup of tea, it will require more of the herb in order to make a strong enough concentrate.
Here are some guildlines for brewing infusions and titsanes:
Use glass or ceramic container. Aluminum, iron, or other metals will leach into the tea, so do not use pots made from metal.
Use pure water. Do not pollute your healing teas with tap water and ALL its impurities! Fresh spring water or distilled water only.
Use boiled, not boiling water...Boil your water first, then remove it from the heat and THEN add the herb/herbs.
Use the proper proportions...A typical medicinal tea requires 1 ounce of dried herb (about 2 handfuls) to 2 cups of water, or 2 ounces of fresh herb to 2 cups of water. Let the infusion or also called steeping, for 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the herb's potency and how strong a tea you want to make. The herb will soak up to about 1/2 cup of the water, leaving you with roughly 11/2 cups of beverage.
Cover the pot tightly, If you smell the aroma of the brewing tea, the herbs essential oils are escaping into the air, rather than being retained in the liquid.
Strain the finished tea/infusion before capping and storing.
Decoctions: A decoction, simmering herbs in water, is the most effective method for drawing the healing elements from course plant parts such as bark, roots, stems, and leaves.
To make a decoction, use the same proportions of herb and water as you would an infusion- 1 ounce of dried herb to 1 pint of water. The heavier herb parts require a higher heat than used for infusions.
Add the dried herbs to water that has been brought to a boil in a medium sized ceramic pot. Keep the water just below boiling for about 30 minutes and let the herbs simmer gently. Some might ask to simmer up to an hour..but 30 minutes is a general rule.
Syrups: Honey-based herbal syrups are a simple and effective way to preserve the healing qualities of some herbs. Syrups can and does help heal sore throats and provide some relief from coughs and colds. Some do serve as laxatives or general tonics.
To make a herbal syrup, combine 2 ounces of dried herb with 1 quart of water in a large (Non-metallic) pot.
Boil that down until it is reduced to 1 pint, then add 1-2 Tablespoons of honey. If you use fresh fruit , leaves, or roots, in making syrups, you should double the amount of herbs. You can store for up to a month in the refrigerator without it losing its full potency.
Tinctures: They are very effective in very small amounts because they are so very concentrated. Several drops to 1 Tablespoon is the general dosage. Be VERY CAUTIOUS in the use of tinctures; they are potent!
Do not confuse the concentrates called fluid extracts" of herbs, available commercially today with tinctures. These fluid tinctures are even more potent than tinctures themselves. --Often 10 times as strong.
To make a tincture: combine 4 ounces of the "powdered" or finely cut herb with one pint of spirits, such as brandy, vodka, or gin in a large (glass) jar or jug with a secure-fitting lid. (NEVER USE) rubbing or isopropyl alcohol, or methyl or wood alcohol, ALL of which are VERY poisonous!!!!
Shake the mixture several times daily over a two-week period. By the end of this time, the herb will have released its properties to the alcohol. Let the herb settle, then strain off the liquid into another clean container or bottle for storage.
Herbal baths for gentle healing: The herbal bath, a very old form of medical treatment, is a safe way to use herbs for healing. Besides being healing, herbal baths are enjoyable and so relaxing to say the least.
Baths relax the ill person, as the healing qualities of the herbs permeate the body through the skin. If there is any doubt about the efficacy of herbal baths, try pressing a slice of garlic against the sole of someone's foot. After a short while, smell his breath--you should smell the garlic....
Lotions and Washes: Some of the most sensual and delightful ways to use herbs are in refreshing lotions to use after shaving, with a massage, and for cleansing. Lavender is one of the most preferred scents in such preparations. Herbs that are demulcent, astringent, aromatic, styptic, or antiseptic are good choices for their after-shave, lotions or washes.
