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| Useful Facts about Herbs |
| Making Herbal Preparations |
| Many herbal preparations are easy to make at home. Making your own herbal preparations such as teas, decoctions, oils, salves and extracts can be simple and lots of fun. |
| Teas (Infusions) |
| The aerial parts of an herb, such as leaves and flowers and sometimes soft berries and seeds, are used for infusions or teas. The standard proportion is 1 tsp. herb to 1 cup water. Pour the boiling water over the herb, cover, and let stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Most infusions should be used within 8 to 12 hours or can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days. |
| Decoctions |
| The hard or woody parts of the plant such as the roots, seeds and barks are used for decoctions. The proportions are the same as for an infusion, 1 teaspoon per cup. Place the herb in cold water, bring to a boil, simmer 5 to 20 minutes, remove from heat and strain. Use within 8 to 12 hours or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. |
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