Herbal preparations will prevent serious harm to its users

Herbal preparations with medicinal herbs should be made fresh every day, with the exception of preparations for herbal salves, liniments, and ointments and tinctures. Also it is wise to follow the procedure of using spirit of simple which is using one herb at a time instead of combining them.

There are different types of preparations and the importance of how to prepare medicinal 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.

Great care must be taken when taking herbs. Unlike chemical and prescription drugs, medicinal herbs have a milder action, and must be consistently taken over a period of weeks or months to see great results.

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.  This is a very important decision when preparing your own herbal home remedies.

The different types of herbal preparations

Infusion

An infusion is used with medicinal 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.

Decoction

A 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.

Tincture

A 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.

Extract

An 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 Tea

When 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 medicinal 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 Compresses

Poultice 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.

Liniment

Herbal liniment is excellent for all kind of pains, swellings, bruises, boils, all skin eruptions as well as pimples.

The following medicinal 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 syrups

To prepare herbal syrups, take one ounce of herb, bark, or root, flowers, or seeds and simmer in approximately one pint of water.  Let it simmer for approximately twenty minutes, then strain and add a fair amount of honey that will allow it it to thicken.  Blend everything and bottled in bottles that are dark coloured.

Herbal Ointment may be done as liniment, cream, as well as oil in herbal preparations.

Storage - herbal preparations

Store 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 medicinal 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 medicinal herbs to lose their natural radiation, which is their main life source.

Please be reminded to take all necessary precaution in herbal preparations.

Herbal throat lozenges

It is a fact that you do not have to purchase throat lozenges at all.  You can simply make your own at home and they will be as natural as ever and very effective to treat your sore throat and a cold.

To prepare your home remedy herbal throat lozenges, use:

• Four tablespoonfuls of powdered slippery elm
• Four tablespoonfuls of powdered licorice
• Four tablespoonfuls of red raspberry leaves
• Two teaspoonfuls of cayenne pepper
  
• Twelve drops of rosemary essential oil
• Cornstarch and honey

Make a very sticky and thick concoction by combining and mixing all the herbal ingredients including the cornstarch and honey.  If concoction is not thick enough, then add enough honey to do so.  After this add the rosemary essential oil then mix thoroughly with either your fingers or a sturdy fork.

After this is done, pinch bits of small pieces, roll them to make balls, then lightly flatten them to make lozenges for sore throat and cold.  Herbal throat lozenges is also a part of herbal preparations.

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Updated September 26, 2015