| Herbal Potions |
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| Teas The herbs that will be used for herbal teas are generally the cut and sifted form, or the crumbled dried leaves. Herbs should always be prepared in nonmetallic containers. Steep the herbs in a nonmetallic container with water that has just been brought to a boil. This is an infusion, and is used for the more delicate herbs to prevent destroying their healing agents. A decoction is used to extract the healing agents from herbs that are roots and barks. The herbs are simmered in a nonmetallic cooking container for about one hour. Simmer uncovered until the amount of water is reduced by one half. Those herbs that contain important volatile oils should be simmered in a tightly covered pot. Don't add table sugar to herbal teas. If a sweetener is needed, use pure, unmolested honey. Bolus A bolus is a suppository. It is made by combining powdered herbs with cocoa butter. The two are mixed together until it is the consistency of stiff pie dough. It is then refrigerated to harden and preserve. Allow to come to room temperature before use. Roll into strips and cut into pieces about one inch long. Boluses are inserted into the rectum for treating hemorrhoids, and into the vagina for treating vaginal infections and irritations, as well as tumors. Boluses are used at night. The cocoa butter will of course melt with your body heat, so take precautions to protect clothing and bedding. Residues of the bolus should be rinsed away the next morning. Oils Oil extracts are made from fresh herbs that contain volatile oils used for healing. Fresh herbs are necessary for the extraction of the oils. The fresh herbs are crushed with a mortar and pestle. Olive or sesame oil is then added, at the ratio of one pint of oil for every two ounces of herbs. The mixture is allowed to stand in a warm place, out of direct light, for three days. The oils are stored in dark, glass containers. After the three days, add one capsule of Vitamin E to each bottle for preserving the extracted oils. This is another process that is best done on the new moon. Syrups Syrups are used for treating coughs and sore throats, and make it easy to give herbs to children. Two ounces of herb are added to a quart of water in a nonmetallic container, and boiled down slowly and gently until about a pint of liquid is left. Strain while it is still warm, and add two ounces of honey and/or glycerine. Lemon oil or juice can also be added for flavor. Store in adark glass container. Capsules Capsules are the best way to take herbs that do not taste good. They are also the best way to take herbs that need to be ingested over a long period of time, or for those of us who don't have time at work to make herbal teas. It is best to purchase finely powdered herbs for this purpose. The small "0" sized capsules are used, or the larger "00". The powdered herbs are blended together, if an herbal combination is desired. Then separate the two halves of thecapsule, and fill each half. Then carefully put the two halves back together. Take according to the needs of the treatment. Tinctures Tinctures are easy to make, and a very convenient way to make use of the healing herbs in today's fast society. They are made with the more potent herbs that are generally not taken as herbal teas. Tinctures are made by combining 1 to 4 ounces of a powdered or thoroughly crushed herb with one pint of alchohol. The alchohol most often used is vodka. The amount of liquid should be more than the herbs can absorb, so you may need to add more as the days go by. It is shaken daily and allowed to stand in a warm place, out of direct light, for two weeks. The liquid is poured through a cloth, such as layers of cheesecloth. The herbs that remain are squeezed thoroughly to remove as much of the liquid from them as possible. Keep the tincture stored in a dark glass bottle or jar. Tinctures are used by the drop. Don't be afraid of the alchohol content - if you want to be sure the alchohol won't affect you, or you are a recovering alchoholic, drop the recommended number of tincture drops into a cup of hot water, wait a few moments, and then drink. The alchohol will evaporate. Tinctures can be made of single herbs, or herbal combinations, depending upon your needs. It is traditional magick to begin your tinctures on the night of the new moon, and strained on the full moon, so that the waxing powers of the moon extract the maximum amount of healing agents from the herbs. |
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