HOW TO: Make your own herbal preparations

By Jonathan Evans Herbalist and co-owner, the Herbarium,Special to PRIME We constantly get questions on how to prepare herbal products. For some reason a loose herb seems to scare people, so in the public interest, we offer some basic preparation methods This is the kind of article one should definitely cut out and put away in one's files. How to prepare a(n): Infusion (tea): Leaves and blossoms should be infused. Bring water to a boil (in a non-aluminum container) and remove from heat. Add one (1) rounded tsp. of dried, cut herb per cup of water. Or add one (1) rounded Tbsp. of fresh, cut herb per cup of water. Cover, let stand for 10 minutes, unless otherwise directed. Strain and sip slowly. Refrigerate leftovers up to 48 hours. Decoction: Roots, barks and berries are made into decoctions. Into cold water, place one (1) tsp. of dried herb per cup of water, or one (1) Tbsp. of fresh herb per cup of water. Cover, bring to a boil and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, let stand for 10 minutes. Strain. Poultice: Fresh: crush, chew, or chop fresh herb and apply to affected part. Cover with dressing. Leave on for several hours or overnight. If heat is desired, steep the herb, cover with cloth and wrap area in plastic wrap. Make sure poultice has cooled sufficiently before application. Dried: prepare strong herbal infusion/decoction. Add to: powder, flaxseed, slippery elm, or cornmeal enough to make a paste. Spread on folded cloth and apply. Cover. Do no reuse poultice. Tincture (alcohol or apple cider vinegar): 4 oz. cut herb / powdered herb 16 oz. of 100 proof alcohol (brandy, gin, vodka, as the purest grain spirit is best) Mix well. Keeping bottle tightly covered, shake daily for two (2) weeks. Strain well. Store in a cool, dry area. If using powdered herbs, steep only seven (7) days. If using apple cider vinegar, steep four (4) to six (6) weeks. Store the same. Dose: few drops one (1) Tbsp. diluted in water, juice or compatible herbal tea. Herbal bath: Into a knee-high stocking, muslin bag, linen handkerchief or piece of unbleached cheesecloth securely place one handful of appropriate dried herbs. Tie up well. Place in 1 quart of freshly boiled water, cover, remove from heat and steep 20- 30 minutes. Pour liquid and bag into a bathtub full of comfortably warm water. Dim the lights. Light a candle. Climb in. Relax and enjoy. Ahhhh For a quicker, less potent bath, drop the bagged herbs into the tub and fill with water. Quicker but much less effective. Herbal compress: Make a very strong herbal infusion in a small saucepan. Dip a cloth, cheesecloth or linen hanky, etc into the herbal mixture. Remove and wring out fairly well. Add a small amount of herbal mixture from the pan to the cloth. Fold to appropriate size. (A large herbal tea-bag) Apply to affected area. Wrap well with plastic wrap. Cover with a dry towel if needing heat. Leave on one (1) to two (2) hours. Repeat as necessary. May be left on overnight if desired. Herbal steaminhalation: (This has been printed many times by us but it does bear repeating!) Using fresh herbs (garlic, ginger, onions, etc.) Peel and chop finely about 1-3 tbsp herbs. Place in bottom of a salad bowl. Add enough freshly boiled water to come to about 1 inch below rim. Cover with a plate/pan cover. Cover head, shoulders and the bowl with a large towel. Keep the head about 10 inches above the bow and eyes closed, remove cover and breathe in the steam deeply. Keep eyes closed. Do not use with the elderly or small children. Stay under the "tent" until steaming stops. May also use fresh/dried leafy herbs (peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, etc.) A small handful will do. Until next month~ Jonathan Evans Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, Mass. 01013.