To get the desired beneficial effect to one's health is to follow the guidelines of herbal preparations.It is important to know how to prepare medicinal herbs before using themHerbal preparations should be made fresh every day, with the exception of preparations for herbal salves, liniments, and ointments and tinctures. There are different types of preparations and the importance of how to prepare herb is that the overuse of any drug can be very detrimental, so knowing how to properly prepare herb is very necessary and this is an important method in alternative medicine. The main aim is to produce a long and lasting beneficial effect on the body by maintaining one's health or for the full recovery from sickness and disease through medicinal herbs.
Therefore abuse and impatience in herbal preparations is definitely a negative approach and should be avoided at all times. Herbal preparations must never be done in aluminum pots or pans.
The Different Types of PreparationsInfusionAn infusion is used with herbs that dissolve readily in water, or release their active ingredients easily in oil. Boiling water is poured over the herb and allow to steep for a time 15 to 30 minutes or until the mix cools. The mix is then strained, bottled, and refrigerated for future use. Some honey may be added if desired. A common proportion used is one ounce of herb to one pint of liquid.DecoctionA decoction is a method of extraction by boiling (do not boil hard) of herbal or plant material, which may include stems, roots, bark and rhizomes. Simmer in a nonmetal container for up to 30 minutes. Keep container covered. Roots however must be simmered one and half hour or more to extract their medicinal value.TinctureA tincture is a very concentrated extract of an herb in liquid form. Herbal preparations for tinctures is as follows:Herbs are put in a jar and a spirit of 40°C pure ethanol is added. The jar is left to stand for 2–3 weeks, shaken occasionally, in order to maximize the concentration of the solution.To make a more precise tincture, more extensive measuring can be done by combining 1 part herbs with a water-ethanol mixture of 2-10 parts, depending on the herb itself. With most tinctures, however, 1 part water at 5 parts ethanol is used. Tinctures are also used as liniment on the skin. ExtractAn extract is a substance made by extracting a part of a raw material, often by using a solvent such as ethanol or water. The majority of natural essences are obtained by extracting the essential oil from the blossoms, fruit, roots, or the whole plants. Herbal extracts are readily obtained at most herb shops. Herbal TeaWhen making herbal tea, use 1 teaspoon of the dried herb or 3 teaspoon of the freshly crushed herb to one cup of boiling water. Pour the cup of boiling water over the herb and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes.If you want to make the tea stronger, use more herb. However, if there is no time to do this at home herb teas are now already prepared in tea bags and can be purchased very easily at any herbal shops and convenient stores. A tea that is good for impure blood is cerasee tea. Poultice and CompressesPoultice and compresses are used as an external remedy for pain, sprains, swelling, boils, headaches, sores, and external ulcers. A compress is made by dipping a towel in a hot decoction of herbal tea and squeezing out the excess. It is applied hot to the affected area, repeating as towel gets cool. Poultice is a mixture of water and herbs. Spread on a piece of cloth, preferably white, and apply to the affected skin area. Cover mix herbs with plastic to trap the nutrients. Cornmeal can be added to any herbal poultice as a base. A poultice is changed every three to seven hours. LinimentHerbal liniment is excellent for all kind of pains, swellings, bruises, boils, all skin eruptions as well as pimples.The following herbs are useful in making liniment. They are: myrrh, goldenseal, and cayenne pepper. For herbal preparations, combine two ounces of powdered myrrh, one ounce of powdered goldenseal, one and a half ounce of cayenne pepper and one quart of 70 percent rubbing alcohol. Mix these together and let it stand for seven days. Make sure to shake it well each day. After the seven days, pour in another container making sure not to stir up the sediments that are at the bottom, then bottle in corked bottles. Herbal Ointment may be done as liniment, cream, as well as oil. StorageStore herbs in brown paper bags, or wooden boxes. This allow air to pass through and the brown paper bags absorb moisture and prevent mold and mildew.If herbs are stored in glass jars, put them into brown bags first and do not tighten the lid, so that air can pass through. Exposure to light causes the herbs to lose their natural radiation, which is their main life source.
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