How To Use Herbal Remedies
You can use herbal remedies for stress.
Simple tips on to make herbal tea, infusions, decoctions for natural stress relief.
There are a number of ways for you to use herbal remedies at home. It doesn’t take much of your time and needs no special skills but is a wonderful way of beating stress!...
And the best feeling is picking your own home-grown herbs from your garden or pots!
Herbs can be taken in the form of decoctions and infusions (both are types of tea), as well as made into ointments, massage oils and creams to rub into the skin... All excellent ways to use herbal remedies!
1. DECOCTIONS
Tough plant material such as roots and bark are used in decoctions. These are steeped in water, strained and taken hot or cold. This is the way to make a herbal tea from the tougher parts of the plant.
Remember, herbal infusions are never boiled because boiling destroys the delicate volatile oils.
How to make a Decoction...
Herbs that are commonly used to make decoctions include ginger, licorice and cinnamon.
2. INFUSIONS
An infusion is basically a herbal tea. But you can also make an infusion for skin washes, sitz baths or poultices.
Herbs are placed in a teapot, covered with near boiling water and left to steam for about 10 minutes.
The liquid is drained into a cup and drunk hot or cold.
It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and can be reheated.
Herbal teas are perhaps oldest herbal medicines in the world. Even though herbal teas are often weaker than other herbal preparations, herbal teas are easy to prepare, comforting in times of illness and easy for the body to assimilate.
The general rule for 1 cup of any herbal tea is
- Pour 1 cup (250ml) near boiling water over 2 teaspoons of fresh herb or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
- Allow to steep for a few minutes and enjoy!
Breathe in the aroma of the herbs for a whiff of the essential oil of the plant!
Herbs that are frequently used to make infusions include peppermint, chamomile and echinacea.
How to make Infusions...
With dried leaves or dried bark...
With dried flowers...Follow the above method BUT only steep for 2-3 hours and then strain out plant material.
With dried seeds...Follow above method BUT only steep for ½ an hour or else your infusion will be bitter.
Herbal Infusion Bath...A excellent way to use herbal remedies! When used in the bath, the medicinal properties of the herbs are absorbed through the skin. Add 2 quarts of a strained infusion to your bath water and relax!
3. POULTICES
Keep the plant material that you strain off your infusion and apply it directly to the affected area. You can first rinse the area in the liquid. This is an excellent way to treat and sooth infections, bites and wounds.
4. COMPRESSES
Keep the plant material that you strain off the infusion and place it in a clean cloth or piece of gauze. Place it on the affected area.
5. TINCTURES
Tinctures are made by steeping herbs in a mixture of alcohol and water. The alcohol acts as a preservative (the mixture can be kept for up to 2 years) and also extracts the healing parts of the plant.
How to make Tinctures...
Tinctures are made by using fresh plant material and a liquid base such as vodka, brandy, vegetable glycerin, or even apple cider vinegar. The general rule for preparing to use this herbal remedy is ½ water and ½ alcohol.
- Pick your fresh herbs and pick through them to remove dirt but DON'T wash them.
- Leave flowers whole. Coursely chop stems and leaves.
- Put into a clean, dry glass jar and fill with liquid of your choice. Cover the herbs completely.
- Close jar with an airtight lid.
- Label the jar with date and ingredients and store in a dark place for 6 – 8 weeks. Shake occasionally.
- Strain out the plant material and pour tincture into clean, dark bottles. Label.
Standard dose is 1-2 teaspoons, 2 – 3 times a day diluted in tea, juice or water.
6. HERBAL OILS
Carrier oils such as almond oil, olive oil or vegetable oils can be infused with herbs of your choice and used for relaxing stress relief massage or in a soothing bath. Use also to treat bites, stings or sunburn.
How to make Herbal Oils...
- Choose fresh, dry plants and wipe off any dirt. Discard damaged parts.
- Chop the herbs coursely and pack tightly into a very dry, clean jar.
- Pour your oil slowly over the herbs. Make sure it goes right to the top of the jar. Poke the herbs with a skewer or knitting needle to make sure the oil is seeping around the herbs. You must get rid of as many air pockets as possible so that mould does not grow.
- Fill the jar to the VERY top with oil.
- Label the jar with the date and type of herbs used.
- Leave the jar standing at normal room temperature for about 6- 8 weeks. Longer could result in mould growing.
- Pour the oil off into a clean, dry jar. Strain the herbs through a clean cloth to get the excess oil.
- Let the oil sit for a few days to let any water that seeped from the herbs settle to the bottom of the jar.
- Decant the oil again into a clean, dry jar.
- Label and ENJOY using your home-made herbal oil.
- It is simple to preserve your own herbs by drying, freezing and other methods. Learn How!
- Look at these wonderful best health herbs for you to add to your ways to use herbal remedies.
- Check my list of popular herbs for relaxation and stress relief .
- 5 Medicinal Herbs Plants for Healing helps you get your basic herbal first aid box sorted.
You can make and use herbal remedies for a fraction of the shop price...
More Useful Information
On How To Use Herbal Remedies
