This page contains basic instructions for making the preparations for using herbs.

For culinary uses, chopping and grinding herbs and spices helps release their flavor and scent.

Pounding before use will have a similar effect and these techniques will also help to bring out the perfume of many herbs for cosmetics.

Another method of releasing flavor is to wilt the herbs by heating them in butter or putting them in hot water or a warm oven.

Herbs used in medicine or body care products usually require adding to a base such as alcohol or water. Preparations made with a water base, such as infusions and decoctions (see below), should be used immediately as they do not keep well.

For cosmetic purposes, infusions can be made with bottled spring water for better keeping.

Alcohol tinctures (see below) can be kept much longer. Another advantage to alcohol is that it is a very good solvent for most of the healing constituents in herbs. This is the reasons why many herbal medicines are based on tinctures. The can be taken orally with hot water, or combined with syrups, or mixed with fats to make ointments.

Infusions

Infusions are useful when you want to use the active constituents of a plant that is rich in aromatic oils, especially if you are using the leaves or petals. Making an infusion is like making tea. Take a warmed porcelain or glass teapot, measure in the required amount of fresh or dried herbs (one part of dried herbs is equal to three parts fresh), pour in boiling water and cover. Let steep for 10-15 minutes before straining.

Decoctions

Make a decoction when your chosen herb is hard and woody - it ensures that the root, wood, bark or nuts are broken down so that the active ingredients enter the water in solution. Cut up the fresh herbs into small pieces or grind dried ingredients. Measure the required amount into an enamelled pan and add water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain the decoction while still hot.

Tinctures

These preservative mixtures of alcohol, water and herbs are very concentrated, so the amount needed will be smaller than an infusion or decoction. The ratio of herbs to fluid used is 1:5 (ie: 7 oz. or herbs to 2 parts of fluid). Measure the required amount of your chosen herb into a dark, screw-top jar and cover it with a spirit, such as vodka or whiskey. Keep the tincture tightly covered in a warm place and shake the bottle well twice daily. After 14 days, strain the residue through a muslin cloth, squeezing well. Keep in tightly stoppered, dark bottles. If you prefer not to use alcohol, try cider vinegar. Tinctures can be taken undiluted or with water, added to compresses or teas, or put into the bath. They can also be used to make ointments by mixing with beeswax or cocoa butter.

Compresses & Poultices

These help the body to absorb herbal compounds through the skin. For a compress, soak a clean piece oflinen, gauze or cotton in a hot decoction or infusion. Apply it as hot as possible to the affected area and change it when it has cooled. To make a poultice, wrap the herbs themselves in thin gauze, or apply them to the skin directly. You should mix dried herbs with water or cider vinegar to make a hot infusion of decoction. Keep the poutice hot and change it when it cools. A hot water bottle placed on the poultice will help keep the heat in longer.