Basic Herbal Preperations

[Delissa]

We all know that we can go to the local vitamin store or even the local drug store and buy capsules full of "herbal remedies" by the scores. They promise to take away most any illness and deliver the utmost of health, right? But what the heck is in those things? Most are in no way regulated even by the food and drug administration. While I don't really need the government to sanction something for my use, I do like to know what exactly it is I am taking...don't you? Herbal remedies, often passed down through generations and generations really can be helpful, even lifesavers in some cases. The trick is knowing what you are dealing with, it's properties, and using it appropriately. Of course anything I am saying here is NOT to be used in place of a good doctor's advice, so please keep that in mind. But I'd like to discuss some of the ways that herbal remedies are made and ingested. I myself am not a big fan of a pill and am more comfortable using herbs grown by me and prepared by me. If you can see the value in that, I invite you to keep reading!


My first advice is to start out with the freshest and purest ingredients, preferably grown by your own hands. I'm of the belief that all living things are connected and so when you grow an herb (or veggie for that matter) it takes a little of that personal care you put into it and as you ingest it, some of that care is returned to you in more form than the basic components. Next I have listed some basic preparations of herbs for remedies. Most can be applied to any herb, though some ways of preparation may be more beneficial than others depending on the herb and the need.


Infusion


All that herbal "tea" you've ever seen is actually what is know as an infusion. Tea is made from tea leaves and not from herbs. An infusion is a basic concoction of herbs being steeped in water, which can be either hot or cold. Hot water infuses more quickly and is thus more often used, but it's important to note that it should be steeped, but never boiled. Boiling can ruin some of the delicate properties and is unnecessary to abstract the useful essences of the herb. Infusions are often the weakest way to prepare an herb for ingestion, but most often is all you need.


Tinctures


A tincture is prepared by putting the herbs in a small amount of liquid for a much longer period of time to make them more soluble. These are often soaked for weeks or even months in liquids such as glycerine, vinegar, or alcohol. I find that in most instances, alcohol is the easiest and most readily available and is more easily ingested than vinegar (unless you are using it for a child, of course). When using an alcohol you want to use the purest and most tasteless form that you can, everclear if available or good unflavored vodka are my first choices. You can use whole herbs, but you can also get great results by using crushed or powdered herbs. Either way I have found that I get the best results by using a 1:1 ratio, meaning if you are using 2 oz or herbs put it in 2 oz of solubilizing liquid. You will need a good sealing jar or bottle as you will be turning and shaking the mixture so that the herbs don't clump. I find it's best to shake it every other day or so, especially if you are using powdered herbs. You will want to store the tincture in a cool, dry, dark place like a closet. When it has sat for the desired amount of time, it is then strained and or pressed and only the remaining liquid is used. A tincture is a much stronger form than an infusion.


Herbal Syrup


An herbal syrup is basically a well derived infusion added to a more palatable substance like honey or cooked sugar. This is really helpful if you are trying to get the remedy into a small child! The infusion isn't prepared any differently except that you will want to let it steep for closer to 8 hours than the normal 10-20 minutes. The reasoning behind this is that you are adding it to a more viscous liquid and therefore it dilutes. Honey is my preference when I make a syrup, so much tastier going down and an added bonus if you are making a cough syrup because the honey is a natural soother to the throat!


Herbal Capsules


Herbal capsules are very concentrated and a good way to take herbs on a regular basis. To successfully achieve this, you will need a decent herb garden producing a lot of the same herb and it also takes an investment of a good herb grinder, as well as a capsulator, and of course a supply of caps. There are many places on the internet to find these items and after the initial investment are not too expensive to maintain. That being said, making capsules demands a great understanding of herbal potency and knowledge and should only be undertaken after a good degree of herbal investigation and study.


So, those are the most basic forms of ingesting herbal remedies. I will be adding more specific posts of herbal uses and specific recipe preparations soon!

[Rasha]

Thank you for this. It's very interesting. I am hoping once we get settled (not in an apt) we can start something like this. Natt has talked about growing herbs and capsuling them. He wants to do it because being a pharmacist, he is a little skeptic and thinks it would be better for us to ingest. I wanna do it cause I know it can ward/help the sickies stay away.

Looking forward to reading more!

[KellyMarie]

I agree, I am looking forward to reading more of about this! Thanks Delissa!

[KarrenOliver]

I am also very interested! Thanks, Delissa!

[Tara]

Can't wait for the next article Delissa! Thank you!

[Delissa]

Rasha, I have more info on capsulating just didn't write it up here because it's a lot of work and there are easier ways when you first start out with herbs. But let me know if you guys are interested I can always send you more info. You do need a pretty serious garden if you want to make the capsules on a regular basis because you need quite a bit of herb to do it. I can't wait for spring to get an herb garden going again!

[Rasha]

Rasha, I have more info on capsulating just didn't write it up here because it's a lot of work and there are easier ways when you first start out with herbs. But let me know if you guys are interested I can always send you more info. You do need a pretty serious garden if you want to make the capsules on a regular basis because you need quite a bit of herb to do it. I can't wait for spring to get an herb garden going again!

Ya, well when we get a place where we can make a garden, I will def ask you more.