| BASIC HERBAL PREPARATIONS |
| INFUSIONS |
| An infusion is like a tea of herb or herbal mixtures.Most people use a teapot to prepare their infusions.Infusion is a good method for preparing leaves and flowers,such as masrshmallow,lavender,peppermint.Infusions are made with the soft parts of herbs.If you have roots or bark you will have to boil them and most people would say that is a Decoction. To make an infusion,put2 tsp of the herbal mixture in a warmed teapot (use glass or china if possible) and add 2 cupfuls of boiling water.Let this steep for 10 to 20 minutes,stirring occasionally.It is useful to drink the infusion hot ,but there is no reason why you should not take it cold or even iced,if you prefer;if you need to sweeten the tea,use honey or apple juice concentrate .Herbal Tea is a infusion,I will put more recipes for infusions on this page as I find them. |
| DECOCTIONS |
| This means boiling or simmering.It is the method used for any herb which consists of a woody or hard part of the plant: roots,bark,seeds,or rhizomes.Add about 1 oz.(30g)of the herbal mixture to each 6oz.(500ml) of water in a pan.It is best to use a pan made of glass or ceramic.You can use a metal pan if that is all you have,but do not use aluminum.Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes,then let the mixture cool,strain it and squeez the herbs for all the extracts.One disadvantage of a decoction is that it may tend to boil off the volatile oils in some plants,losing their effects an example is peppermint.The benefits of peppermint help digestion and when you boil it you lose some of the oils that help it work it's herbal magic!If you want to use roots and bark or older leaves you may want to boil them first and set them to the side,then steep the softer leaves and flowers and combine the two .If you use Chinese herbs you may have to boil them as long as 45 minutes.There are many recipes for decoctions. I will be adding some to this page .I have many links for more research on the Pecan Herb Home page and Yahoo! is a great to search for more information. |
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| This term generally refers to an herbal solution in alcohol;more rarely,it can be used for a preparation based in vinegar or glycerin.The advantages of tinctures are there long shelf life(2 years) and they are conveniant.The alcohol also works as a very good solvent for the active ingredients of the herbs.Tinctures can be more expensive than the fresh herbs or the dried,but you can find them in any fine health food store or on the internet.Mix the herbs in alcohol or vinegar.It is also comman to steep herbs in your favorite wine and make a wine tonic.It is fun to have a nice wine tonic you have flavored yourself...All things in moderation!!! I like to keep all my herbal preparations in the freg. nice and cool till I use them.You can make your own tinctures but please remember HERBS are not a joke and can be very powerful always use your good sense when you take any kind of medication ...that includes HERBS.Here is a recipe for making a tincture:put 4 ounces powdered herb or 8 onuces fresh chopped herb in a container with a tightly fitted lid.Add 1 pint (2 1/2 cups)alcohol,which must be at least 60 proof (e.g. brandy or vodka ).Neither treated ethyl alcohol nor rubbing alcohol is suitable.Stand the mixture in a warm place and shake it twice daily for 2 weeks.Strain through cheesecloth,squeezing out as much liquid as possible,and store in a well-stoppered dark glass jar.Alcohol perparations will keep for a long time.The dosage is usually 5-15 drops,which can be taken directly or added to a cup of hot water.You can use these tinctures in many recipes..or preparations. |
| TINCTURES |
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| These are terms in preparing herbs and I have tried to explain them.There will be several pages on the terms and recipes for each term.To find out more information than I have here go to a information link on the PECAN MOON HERB HOME PAGE,or search YAHOO! |
| THIS IS PAGE 1 OF HERBAL PREPARATIONS |
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