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| How to Prepare Herbal Medicines |
| Making your own herbal remedies is no more difficult than blending sauces or cooking vegetables. Basic kitchen equipment is all that is needed, although if remedies are to be kept for any length of time, it is important to use sterile bottles and jars for storage. |
| This section details simple methods for making the sorts of remedies needed to deal with minor ailments and first aid in the home. Creams, ointments, pessaries, capsules, and tinctures are available ready-made from health food stores and pharmacies. |
| Infusions |
| An infusion is simply a tea made by steeping an herb in freshly boiled water for ten minutes; it is an ideal method for most leafy herbs and flowers. Typically use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb to a cup of water (1 cup = 8 fluid ounces). The herb needs to be put into a ceramic or glass teapot, jug, or cup (with lid). It is important for the water to go just off the boil, otherwise many aromatic plant constituents will be lost in the excessive steam. After infusing, strain through a sieve and take a cup three times a day. Sweeten with a little honey if desired. |
| If using fresh herb, you need three times as much herb to allow for the additional weight of water in fresh plant material, that is, 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of water. An infusion can be reheated before each dose but it is best to make only enough infusion for one dose or one day's dosages at a time, even though surplus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to forty-eight hours. |
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