HERBAL PREPARATIONS

Christen Peattie, HHPChristen Peattie, HHP

© 2009 Green Heart Health

HERBAL PREPARATIONS

Christen Peattie, HHPChristen Peattie, HHP

© 2009 Green Heart Health

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Integrate usage into daily lifeUse fresh or dried herbs as availableDry has double the potency as freshBe aware of side effects and adverse reactionsNever use aluminum cookware or utensils as they have toxic effectsEach method has its qualities, know them and use to your advantage.Each form of remedy has a different shelf life, keep this in mind.Be extremely hygienic when handling herbal medicines. Boil and sterilize all bottles and lids.

CAUTIONS WHEN COLLECTING

Stay far away from roadway pollutantsBeware of pesticide usageWatch for insects and moldsAlways choose from those herbs with fresh appearanceNever take the whole plant, leave some to propagate naturally.Know your herbs, many beneficial plants are similar in appearance to harmful ones.

TEA 1tsp. herb to 1 Cup water

Bring water to a boil and add to tea

Steep for 5-15 minutes

Strain in non-metal strainer

Use immediately or within a few hours.

INFUSION1/3 Cup herb to 1 Cup water (single)1 oz. herb to 1 pint water (batch)Prepare like teaSteep for 10-20 minutesStrainRefrigerateUse within 24 hours

DECOCTIONSFor use with hard and woody plants

Chop or crush the herb

1 oz. herb to 1 pint water

Simmer until volume is reduced by 1/4

Strain

Use immediately or within 24 hours

TINCTURES1 oz. herb to 1 pint alcohol Keep a 1:5 ratio if adjusting quantityChop or grind the herbAdd to alcohol in sterile glass jarLeave in a warm place for 2-3 weeksShake gently 2-3 times a day

Strain through muslin or a coffee filterStore in a sterile dark bottle in a cool placeLabel and date the bottleKeeps indefinitely2 Tbls. = 1 oz. of powdered herbJust a few drops = 1/2 Cup tea

ESSENCES1 tsp. Essential oil to 9 tsp. alcohol (vodka is good)Add the oil to the alcohol in a sterile bottleShake thoroughlyUse externally as a rubOrally - a few drops 3-4 times a day

OINTMENTS23 oz. anhydrous lanolin, 1 oz. white bees wax & 16 oz. fresh herbs (8 oz. dried)Melt the lanolin in a double boiler adding the herbs and simmering gently, for 1/2 hourStrain through muslin - use caution HOT!Squeeze out all herbs from lanolinAdd the beeswax, adjusting to desired firmnessPour into sterile jars and cool before putting the lids onTinctures or essential oils can be added to melted base

(1 tsp. to 16 oz. lanolin)Note:Can use oil instead of lanolin (8 fl. oz. of oil to 1 oz. beeswax, following the above procedure)

POULTICESUseful for abscesses, Useful for abscesses, boils, swellings, strains boils, swellings, strains and bruises.and bruises.Bruise the fresh herb Bruise the fresh herb and pour over just and pour over just enough hat water to wet enough hat water to wet the herb. the herb. Apply to the affected Apply to the affected area.area.Place the herb mixture Place the herb mixture between 2 layers of between 2 layers of muslin in the skin is muslin in the skin is broken or irritated.broken or irritated.Cover with a hot wet Cover with a hot wet cloth.cloth.Replace poultice every 2 Replace poultice every 2 hourshours

SYRUPSUseful for cough mixtures

Prepare a decoction or infusion of your blend

Strain the herbs

For every 1 pint of liquid add 1 Cup of honey

Bottle in sterile jars and store in a cool place

CAPSULESGrind herbs to a fine powderUse a blender or food processor Fill the capsules by hand using a capsule filling unitUseful for herbs that are distasteful or harshTake with water like a pill, in therapeutic doses

SOURCESAlternative Nature Online Herbal; http://altnature.com; Karen Bergeron; 3/31/06

Nat 201 Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare and Herbalism Lesson Manual; Australasian College of Health Sciences, Inc.; Oregon; 2005; pp 183-187.

Henriette's Herbal Homepage; http://www.henriettesherbal.com; 4/1/06