Ok, this article will delve into the various ways to use herbs in healing practices. Please refer back to this article for future posts on Herbal medicine as a reference to how to prepare certain remedies as it will be most useful as it will coincide with the various remedies that will follow this article. Plus I will throw in one herbal remedy for you so you can get a feel for what is involved with the process. Now there are a few things you should know BEFORE preparing the remedies I will discuss in future posts, so here is the required information to becoming a skilled herbal practitioner.
WHEN USING LEAVES OR FLOWERS: Steep 2 tsp. per cup of water for about 20 min. strain and store in a refrigerated, airtight container. The dose is 1/4 cup 4x a day, not with meals (unless otherwise specified). Children take 1/8 cup 4x a day and infants can receive the herbs through the mother's milk.
WHEN USING ROOTS, BARKS, SEEDS, AND TWIGS: Simmer 2 tsp. plant matter for 20 min. Strain and store in the same manner as above. The dose is 1/4 cup 4x a day, not with meals (unless otherwise specified). Children 1/8 cup 4x a day. and infants receive the herbs through the mother's milk.
HERBAL DOSAGES:
The dosages indicated in the "Herbal Uses" section under each herb assume the patient is a 150lb. adult. Children (75 lbs.) receive 1/2 the indicated amount. And infants and newborns can receive the dose through the mother's breast milk. The usual dosage for a formula (And not infant formula) or tea is 1/4 cup 3-4x a day and not with meals (unless otherwise specified)
Now for the preparation of the various applications for the herbal remedies. Here you will learn about how to prepare certain Salves, tinctures, Poultices, fomentations and syrups to aid in the application of your herbal remedies.
SALVES:
Herbs that are useful for skin conditions (such as Comfrey, Lavender, Calendula, Pine needles, elecampane root, burdock, and elderflowers) can be made into salves. The ideal time to make a salve is in the summer when the herbs are fresh and abundant, But dried herbs can be used as well. (I like to add green walnut hulls and whole smashed chestnuts to the basic mix for their skin-healing and pain killing virtues)
Simmer herbs in good quality olive oil in large pot. (put enough oil in the pot to just cover the herbs) in a separate pot melt and simmer 3-4 tbs. of fresh beeswax (the beeswax should be of a golden color with a strong honey scent) per cup of oil.
Simmer the herbs in the oil for about 20 minutes. When the wax and the oil reach the same temperature, pour in the wax. Strain and pour into clean jars. Tincture of benzoin (about 1 oz. per Qt.) may be added as a preservative but it is not strictly necessary unless you reside in a very hot and damp climate. The key to controlling mold is to have immaculately clean and dry jars and utensils.
TINCTURES:
Tinctures are made from grinding the leaves, roots, or other plant parts with a mortar and pestle (or a blender) and just barely covering them with high quality vodka, whisky, or grain alcohol. After 21 days add a small quantity of glycerin (about 2 Tbs. per pint) and about 10% per volume of spring water. Strain and store in amber glass airtight containers. Keep the tinctures in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years.
The dose is generally 20 drops in a cup of herb tea or warm water 4x a day. in the case of acute or emergency situations (like labor pains for example) the dose would be given more frequently like a dropful every 5 minutes.
POULTICES:
To make a poultice take fresh herbs (or dried ones that have been soaked in freshly boiled water until soft) Mix them with just enough slippery elm powder to make the poultice stick together. Place it on the affected area and wrap with a clean cloth. (for added protection from staining, clear plastic wrap can be wrapped around the poultice and cloth)
FOMENTATIONS:
A fomentation is a strong herbal tea in which a clean cloth is dipped (the cloth can also be filled with the herbs). the cloth is then applied to the affected part.
SYRUPS:
Syrups are made by boiling 3 lbs. of Sucanat (dessicated sugar cane juice) in 1 pt. of water until a syrupy consistency is obtained, then steeping the herbs in the mixture for 20 min. The herbs can also be simmered directly in Honey or pure maple syrup (NOT the imitation stuff) for about 20 min. use 2 tsp. of herb for every cup of liquid. Strain the syrup and store it in a well sealed container in the refrigerator.
Ok...now as promised I will add one remedy here to start with and I will continue to add more with each successive post. But now that you know HOW to prepare the remedies, you will have a better idea of how to use each different herb. Now I will go in alphabetical order since that just seems to be the easiest way for me to do this and I will start with Aconite.
ACONITE: (WARNING: This plant is poisonous and must be used with professional supervision. A SMALL AMOUNT TAKEN INTERNALLY CAN CAUSE DEATH, and it's juice was once applied to arrow tips to kill wolves.)
PARTS USED: the roots are dug in autumn and dried.
Aconite has been added to salves because of it's pain killing action on neuralgia, lumbago, & rheumatism. The tincture has been given in 1 drop doses for heart failure, high fevers, pneumonia, pleurisy, and tonsillitis (HOWEVER: because of it's DEADLY NATURE, herbal aconite should probably be avoided as an internal remedy)
Ok....since this one was fairly short, I'll add another one for good measure. but since this next one is really long and involved due to the many uses of this next remedy I will end it after this.
ACORNS & OAK:
PARTS USED: Inner bark (cambium), the young leaf, and acorn
IDENTIFICATION: It is an open branched tree that grow to 90+ feet or so. With elliptical leaves having 5-9 lobes, 4-9 inches long and 2-5 inches wide. The leaves are purplish red in the fall. the bark is light gray with shallow fissures and broad loose scaly plates. the acorns are 3/8 to 1 1.4 inch long, egg shaped, and 1/4 enclosed by a cup. the bark and leaf are used medicinally. The acorn was at one time roasted or dried, and ground into flower to be made into bread. They were also at one time valued as pig fodder.
HERBAL USES:
The White Oak (quercus alba) is the best for internal use. Infuse the inner bark or young leaf (before midsummer) for douches and enemas to help aid in internal rectal problems, hemorrhoids, leukorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and bloody urine.
Take internally as a tea and externally as a fomentation to shrink Varicose Veins. The tea helps bring down fevers, treats diarrhea, and makes a wash for sores. (up to 3 cups a day may be safely given) As a gargle it treats mouth sores and sore throats. Being an astringent, it stops internal bleeding. BLACK OAK (Quercius tinctoria) & RED OAK (Quercus rubra) can be used externally. ENGLISH OAK can be used both externally and internally.
Oak leaves are used in an infusion for douches to treat vaginal infections; (gather them BEFORE midsummer) to prepare, steep 1 tbs. per Qt. of water for 30 min.
A tea of the buds is a valuable tonic for the liver. (steep 2 tsp. per cup water for 20 min.)
Simmer the bark in salves to make a remedy for hemorrhoids.
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Contributor's Note
I will be adding more of these remedies as I find time. stay tuned for more herbal remedies from Raven MacLean. A herbal practitioner for 15 years, and going strong!
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