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There are several ways of using the herbs for healing depending on the plant and the illness.
1. Tea. The simplest way, boil the plants in water for a set amount of time. Strain. Use. The only thing here is that some remedies require to strain while it's still hot, others to let the plants in the water until cool and then strain.
2. Infusion. Bring water to a boil. Remove from stove. Put the plants in. Cover and let sit for a certain amount of time (careful here with the timing, don't go over the required time). Strain. Use.
3. Steeping. Put plants in cold water. Cover. Let steep for a certain amount of time (usually overnight). Strain. Use.
4. Tincture. Use either 90 degree white alcohol (you can find it in liquor store), or any white grain alcohol (like vodka). DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCOHOL. Either squeezed juice from the plant, or the whole plant, are put in alcohol and macerated for a set amount of time (usually two weeks). Strain. Use the required amount of drops in a glass of water.
5. Maceration for ointments. Use olive, corn or pumpkin seed oil. Put whole or chopped plants (as required by the recipe) in the oil, keep in a warm place (if it's summer, out in the sun) for a set amount of time.
6. Poultices. If the plant needs to be slightly "softened", use your hands to rub it, or a rolling pin used for dough, or in case you have none, an empty bottle will do the trick. If you need to crush the plant, use a mortar and pestle, stone or wood, not metal ones.
7. Healing bath satchels. Make a cloth bag of about 6" x 10". Fold the edge at the opening side, and sew. Put a thread through so you can pull and close the bag. To fill the bag, use plants prepared as follows: in a thin colander or using cheesecloth over a salad-washing bowl, pour boiling water over the plants. Let cool then spread the plants on a dry, clean surface (no paper). Let dry well. Keep in brown paper bags. When preparing a health bath, fill the cloth bag with plants and put in the water-filled bathtub and let sit for at least 5 minutes before taking the bath.
Be careful with what the recipe asks for: leaves, blooms, roots. Also if the plant needs to be fresh or dry. The effects are not the same. |
