Definitions of Herbal Preparations

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Compress
Soak a soft cloth in a hot infusion, decoction or 5-20ml tincture in 500ml hot water. Squeeze out excess water and hold against affected area.

Cream
A mixture of fats and water that blends with the skin to strengthen and smooth it. Use 30g lanolin, 15oz beeswax, 100g vegetable or fruit oil, and 30ml herb water. Melt the lanolin and beeswax in a double boiler, gently stirring the oil. Remove from heat and whisk in the herb water. Keep stirring as it cools. Store in wide mouth jars.

Decoction
Made by simmering larger pieces of the herb, such as roots, bark or twigs. Use 30g dried or 60g fresh herb to 750ml water, simmer until water is reduced to 500ml. Drink ½ cup three times a day.

Infused oils
Hot infusion – 250g dried or 500g fresh her to 750ml olive oil. Heat gently in a double boiler for 3 hours. Strain through a cheesecloth and store in dark bottles
Cold infusion – Pack a large jar with the herb. Cover it with cold-pressed oil and put the lid on. Let stand in a sunny window for 2-3 weeks. Squeeze the oil through a jelly bag and repeat the process. Store in dark glass bottles.

Infusion
A tea made by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried herbs. Use approximately 30g dried or 75g fresh herbs to 500ml water. Drink ½ cup three times a day.

Macerate
To make, pour 500ml cold water over 25g herb and leave to stand overnight. Then strain and use as you would a decoction.

Massage Oils
Use 5 drops essential oil to 20ml carrier oil. Sweet almond, jojoba, avocado or grape seed make good carrier oils. You can also use infused oils.

Ointment
A mixture of oils and fats that form a protective layer over the skin. Melt 500g petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax in a double boiler. Add 60g dried herb and simmer gently for 2 hours. Strain through a jelly bag and pour into jars while still hot.

Plaster
Wrap the chopped or boiled herbs, or a paste made from them, in a cheesecloth or muslin before applying to the affected area. This is good for herbs that might irritate the skin, like mustard.

Poultice
Boil herbs in a little water for a hot poultice, or bruise or chop slightly for cold one. Smooth a layer of oil on the skin to keep the herbs from sticking, apply the herb and wrap with muslin or gauze strips.

Steam Inhalants
Place a few tablespoons of dried herbs in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Drape a towel and inhale the steam.

Herbal Wine
Use a sweet red wine with an alcohol content of at least 12%. Cover four ounces of herb with three cups of wine. Leave for a week before straining.

Take four teaspoons one or two times daily. Herbal wine is best used within a month.

Syrup
Sugar is a good preservative and is ideal for cough mixtures, especially since some herbs for cough are very bitter.

Prepare two cups of an infusion or decoction of the required herb. Strain and add 1¾ cup brown sugar or a honey and sugar mixture. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a clean glass bottle and seal. Store in the refrigerator.

The standard dosage is 1-2 teaspoons three times a day.

Capsules
Dry, powdered herb can be placed inside empty capsules. This method is preferred by some people who cannot tolerate bitter herbs.

Cream
A cream is a blend of oil, beeswax/cocoa butter and water. You can make your own, or purchase an unscented, water based cream. After adding herb to purchased cream, simmer in the top of a double boiler for 30 minutes. Strain before it cools.

Melt two ounces beeswax in a double boiler. Add one cup olive or other vegetable oil and blend. Add two ounces herb. For lighter cream, add a little water, mixing well. Simmer 20 minutes, mixing well. Add a drop of tincture of benzoin as a preservative. Strain thorough a cloth in to sterilized jars.

Suppositories
These are best made in advance so they will be ready when needed. Blend equal quantities of powdered herbs with cocoa butter. Place the mixture into bullet-shaped molds made of foil and refrigerate. Remove the foil before use.

Salve
•1/2-cup beeswax
•1/2-cup petroleum jelly
•1-tablespoon jojoba oil
•5 drops herbal or flower essential oil

Melt the wax and petroleum jelly in a double boiler until mixed. Add the essential oil slowly after you removed from heat. Continue stirring until the mix starts to thicken. Pour into dark glass jars while still warm.
Shelf life – 4-6 months

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