How to Make Herbal Medicines

 

Dry the flowers and the leaves in the shade. They should be placed for a brief time in the sun to prevent fungus attack. Barks, woods and twigs can be dried in the sun or in thin layers in the open air. Fibrous roots can be dried in the sun or artificially at a temperature from 65o F to 80oF. Transversely cut fleshy roots and rhizomes can be dried and stored in a cool, dry place. All the plant parts such as flowers, leaves, twigs, roots, fruits and seeds can be considered as locked boxes of chemicals. If you want to use these chemicals within the plant, you must have specific key to unlock the box.

Making Herbal Remidies

1. INFUSION: The method is used for leaves, flowers, powdered bark, roots, seeds, nuts, buds etc. in much the same way as tea. This should be made fresh each day for three doses and drink hot or cold. Keep the plant part in a boiling water for about half an hour. One part of alcohol can be added to 3 parts of infusion if it is to be preserved. This infusion will become three times as strong as an average infusion.
2. DECQCTION: The method involves more vigorous extraction of plants active in gradients than an infusion from harder parts of the plant. Heat the plant part in water and simmer up upto an hour. Strain and use hot or cold. This is a sort of a soup. The decoctions should be strained while hot. The decoction ca be preserved the same way as the infusion.
3. Plants active ingredients are extracted in ethyle alcohol or diluted alcohol. Alcohol also acts as preservative. Medicine should be taken in dilutions.
4. SYRUP: Syrups can be made by gently heating honey or sugar and infusion or decoction. This makes an ideal cough remedy. Glycerine may be added to act as preservative.
5. JELLY: It is syrup in more congealed form. Add small amount of rectified spirit as preservative.
6. OILS: Pack the jar with herb and cover completely with oil. Keep it for two to three weeks and this oil can be used in creams, ointments and for external massage.
7. CREAM: It is a blend of plant juice, fat or oil and wax. It blends with the skin. Few drops of tincture of benzoin may be added as preservative. Beeswax is a perfect hardener for creams and ointments.
8. OINTMENT: This is prepared by heating oil or fat with the plant till the oil has absorbed the healing principles. No water is mixed and it does not blend with the skin. The plant is strained out and beeswax is added to harden the ointment. Few drops of tincture of benzoin or glycerine may be added as preservative. Cocoa butter can be used for making suppositories and skin lotions.
9. POWDERS AND CAPSULES: Powdered plants can be made into capsules.
10. PILLS: powdered herbs may be enclosed in gelatine capsules and swallowed with water. Pills may be rolled in liqurice root powder for preservation.
11. COMPRESS: A cloth pad soaked in herbal extract can be applied to accelerate healing of wounds. Muscle injuries or for headaches.
12. POULTICE: Chop fresh herbs in a food processor and then boil in water for few minutes. Spread it on the effected area. Apply gauze or cotton cloth to hold the poultice carefully in place. Replace the poultice every 2-4 hours.
13. PASSARIES AND SUPPOSITORY: Boil the herbs in cocoa butter or mix the plant part with cocoa butter and add few drops of essential oil. Roll into 2 to 2.5 inch cylindrical shape with tapering outwards for insersion in rectum or vagina. Store suppositories in a cool place.
14. STEAM INHALANTS: place dried herbs in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Lean over the bowl with a towel draped over your head. These are ideal for catarrh, asthma or sinusitis.
15. JUICE: Extract of a plant by applying pressure.
16. HERB SALT: Grind the herb and use as salt.