HERBAL PREPARATIONS
The first step in practising herbal medicine is learning about the different types of herbal preparations. Below is a list of the many ways for you to create herbal wonders. Based on the symptoms, diagnosis and other such factors, choose the suitable preparation. Keep trying different combinations and soon enough, you'll be an expert at each.
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Read Disclaimer Here!
Dried/Fresh Herbs
A lot of herbs can be eaten fresh out of the garden. Dried ones can be added to simmering pots, salves and balms.
Infusion
A strong tea made with hot or cold water, often steeped for a while.
Tea
Made by adding herbs to hot water, tea is one of the most used herbal preparations.
Poultice
Ground or finely chopped herbs used for topical application. For example, a plantain herb poultice for bites and stings.
Decoction
A very strong herbal tea made by reducing its quantity by half to create a medicinal concentration.
Herbal Salve
Made by adding wax to an infused oil to create a semi-solid preparation.
Tincture
An alcohol extract of fresh or dried herb material. Single extraction tinctures are made with only alcohol, while a double extraction method uses water too.
Herbal Soap
Often made with herb-infused oil and used topically to disinfect or treat skin conditions.
Infused Oil
Dried herbs infused into a carrier oil, most commonly to make soaps, salves, or cosmetics.
Oxymel
A lovely mixture of vinegar, herbs, and honey, taken as a syrup.
Infused Vinegar
Herbal material is preserved in vinegar, and extracted for its medicinal components.
Electuary
A gentle mix of honey and dried herbs, where enough dried herbal material is added to form honey pills or packets.
Infused Honey
A small amount of herbal material is added to honey and allowed to infuse. Usually 2-5 parts honey and 1 part herbs.
Fermentation
A type of heat treatment where a cloth soaked in a strong hot infusion is applied topically.
Compress
A cloth soaked in a cool herbal infusion, and then applied topically.
Succus
The freshly squeezed juice of a plant, often taken by the drop.
Disclaimer: Herbal Preparations by Amyra's Apothecary is purely for information-giving and educational purposes and shall not be held responsible for any issues caused by the creation of the above preparations. Please consult with a doctor or a herbalist before using any herb / preparation for any purpose.
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