The detailed and specific information in this blog
would be of no practical use if I don’t give an
introduction and defination of some of the terms and
how to carry out the specifics when handling herbs. Throughout
the book you will find many terms that are used over and
over. Unless you are familiar with at least a brief overview
of how to prepare some of these things, you will find it
impossible to actually carry out the instructions that one
finds. I would like to start with some definitions.
Capsules:
Many people simply buy pre-encapsulated herbs and
pay far more than necessary. Most are unaware that the
capsules that they are using are made from animal tissues
and generally that of the pig. It is imperative for optimal
health especially in these final days of earths history to
utilize vegetarian capsules only. These may be obtained
from a variety of sources quite freely today. By utilizing a
semiautomatic encapsulating device available for approximately
$10.00 you may save considerable amounts of money
by encapsulating your own herbs.
Decoction:
This is herbal tea referred to using the solid parts of
plants such as the nuts, roots, rhizomes, barks, seeds and
heavy stems. It takes physical action to extract the beneficial
properties from these parts of the plant, hence it will take a
different action than when making an infusion. To make a
decoction we place the plant particles in a pan using 1
teaspoon per cup of water. Bring this to a low simmer for
10-30 minutes. Smaller particles and powders require the
least amount of time, larger particles such as shredded barks
and roots require the maximum time not to exceed 30 minutes.
Infusion:
Infusion is the terminology used to define an herbal tea.
But it specifically refers to the parts of the plants that are
used and describes a precise method of preparing those
parts that will maintain their effectiveness. In making
infusions we will be using the aerial or the lighter and upper
parts of the plant. These parts contain volatile oils that if not
prepared carefully will be damaged or destroyed. These
parts may be used in a fresh or dried form. If using a fresh
form you will need to use twice as much. Place your herbs,
usually 1 teaspoon per cup of water, in a cup, pour boiling
water over them, cover the cup and let it steep until cool
enough to drink (15-20 minutes). Sometimes we find it
necessary to make an infused oil. To make an infused oil
place your herbs in a high quality vegetable oil such as olive
or corn oil. Place in a glass jar, cover and leave it in the sun
for 10-14 days, shaking daily. The sun will cause an extraction
process, and will infuse the herb into the oil. At the end
of the days you can strain and store the oil preferably in the
refrigerator so it does not get rancid. You may accelerate
the process by taking your glass jar containing your prospective
infused oil, set it in a pan of water with the lid loose on
the jar, bring it to a low simmer maintaining this heat for
approximately 2 hours. Remove the jar, strain the infusion
after it is cool and you will have accelerated greatly the
process of making an infused oil.
Infusional-Decoction:
Sometimes you will find that it is necessary to combine
the effects of the aerial part of one plant with perhaps the
bark of another. In doing this you will be making an herbal
preparation called an infusional-decoction. You have two
choices, you may either make the infusion of the aerial parts
of the first plant in one pan and in a separate pan make a
decoction of the other. Then mix the two together when they
are finished. Occasionally when using this method we find
that the volumn of tea is too great to be consumed comfortably,
so a second method is prefered.
The method that I choose, is to begin with the standard
directions for a decoction. Once the decoction has been
made and while it is still at the simmering temperature,
remove it from the heat, place the aerial parts of the other
plant into the already prepared decoction, place a cover
over the container and let cool.
Salve:
Take your infused oil and melt in some cocoa butter and
a small portion of bees wax or paraffin. Allow to cool and
the result will be a salve. You will have to experiment with
the proportions as they vary with the particular climate that
you live in and your own personal preferences. You may
extend the life of this product with a natural preservative
known as vitamin E oil. Squirt several vitamin E oil capsules
into the salve and mix it well, this will help prevent it
from becoming racid.
Tinctures:
Tinctures are made using vegetable glycerine, alcohol,
and sometimes vinegar as extractors and preserving solvents.
You will place an herb or blend of herbs into one of
these three solutions. Allow it to stand for 10 days, shaking
it daily. During that time an extraction has taken place and
the beneficial properties of the plant have been leeched into
the solution and are suspended. Now strain or purify it and
you have a preserved product that may be taken by drops.
The reason for using a tincture is to provide an element of
ease for traveling. Proper dosages are more readily available
and more convenient than when using infusions, decoctions,
or capsules. You can just put a few drops into your
mouth and the application is finished. They travel well in
your pocket, purse or suitcase. You may also evaporate the
alcohol off if this has been used, by putting your drops into a
cup and pouring boiling water over it and letting it sit for
about 10 minutes. The most effective of these solvents is
grain alcohol. If you are going to be using it internally make
sure that it is not made with rubbing alcohol. It is typically
made by home users with Vodka obtained from the liquor
store. You may use vegetable glycerine, however; it does
not extract as well even though it does store well. The least
desirable and effective on the list is vinegar. My preference
has been to use grain alcohol for making tinctures. Tinctures
may be made in a variety of strengths and manners. I will
give you a suggested rule of thumb for making a tincture and
you may adapt it to your own liking as you find it necessary.
For your first experiment with making a tincture take a one
pint jar and put your powdered or cut and sifted plants in it.
Pour grain alcohol over the top, stir it until it is thoroughly
saturated, making certain that there is excess alcohol covering
the herbs so that there is about one inch of clear free
alcohol above the plant particles. Place a cover on it and let
it stand, shaking it daily for 10 days. You will notice that the
plant particles will absorb some of the alcohol and will
swell so that your one inch of free space will eventually be
diminished by perhaps a half inch. At the end of the 10 days
you may strain the entire contents through a muslin cloth.
You may find that you may need to wind it tightly and even
do some squeezing to extract it all out and not lose any of it.
It is recommended that tinctures be stored in amber dropper
bottles or jars.
