Methods of preparation and use of herbs.
Antonietta 14/06/2013Here are some natural and easy homemade ways to take the healing properties of herbs.
Remember:
100 gr (3,½ oz) dried herbs is the same as 200 gr (7 oz) fresh herbs.
The best water called for recipe is distilled water (fresh rain-water is preferable, if it’s possible).
Add always the date and the label on the bottle.
Decoction.
A decoction of herb means the boiling up of the herb, it’s usually prepared by using roots, stems, bark and barries or other parts of the plants. The herb or part of it, is boiled from 5 to 10 minutes, then allowed to cool. The resulting liquid is drawn off and used. The herbal is descarded.
Infusion.
When water is boiling tourn off and pours over the herbs (fresh or dried) then it known as an infusion. It leave to stand from 3 to 5 minutes. Same method is used to make herbal tea; the herbal is discarded.
Could infusion.
The herbs is allowed to steep in a could liquid such as vinegar, wine, wodka or alcohol. It should be allowed a longer period to stand and should be placed in a sealed airtight container.
Tincture.
It made with alcohol or wodka or grappa; steep 300 gr of dried herbs or 600 gr fresh herbs in 650 ml of alcohol or wodka or grappa and 350 ml water from 10 days to 2 weeks in a screw-top jair. Shake daily then squeeze and filter before using and always keep the bottle tightly sealed. It can be preserving for 2 years.
Elisir.
It same preparation as Tincture with addition of 250 gr (9 oz) sugar stored in the jair.
Essential oil.
Besides their healing properties essential oil add fragrance to lotion or cream. It’s very difficult to be able to prepare our own oils, however here is the best recipe easy and quick to make. It’s important use the fresh herbs, when the fragrance and the active principles are at their best (if it’s impossible to obtain fresh herbs, dried herbs will be fine).
- 250 ml fresh chopped herbs,
- 500 ml vegetable oil (maize, sunflower, almond, rice, olive, … ),
Pour into a screw-top jar, shake vigorouslyand and place to the sun. Let it in the light of sun from 7 to 15 days, and shake each day. Then strain through cheesecloth or a nylon sieve and pour into dark glass bottle tightly sealed.
Maceration (wine).
Both red and white wine can be used (for the skin recipe white wine is the best); pour 500 gr fresh herbs or 250 gr dried herbs into the wine and let them macerate for some days as the recipe required. Dried bark, seeds or berries can also be used for maceration recipes. After 3 days of maceration, the liquid can be used for cosmetic treatment, if you have used rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis), calendola (Calendula Officinalis), lavender (Lavandula Officinalis),.. .
Poultices.
Are an effective treatment, directly applied; use the fresh herbs ( or other ingredients as onion, Allium Cepa, lemon zest, Citrus limon, … ) warmed and softened in boiling water, holding it in a place for a few minutes. It can be repeated 2 or 3 times.
Syrup.
This preparation is necessary when the herbs are bitter as Hissop. So, mix:
- 500 ml of herbal infuse or decoction,
- 500 gr brown sugar or honey.
Let boiling 7 / 10 minutes, until it becames dense. Let could and pour in dark glass bottle sealed.
Here are more information about use and dose of preparations.
