| HERBAL PREPARATIONS |
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| MASERATING |
| Use this method for herbs likely to lose some of their therapeutic value if heated.Pack a glass jar with the crushed,fresh herbs.Cover with vegetable oil,cider vinegar or alcohol.Seal and leave for two weeks shaking the jar each day.Strain and top up with fresh herbs.I keep most of my mixtures in the refregerator,but you will have to use your own judgement. Some herbs could be contaminated and will grow bacteria when in a oil mixture. |
| PULVERIZING |
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| Grind,bruise or mash plant fibers and seeds using either pestel and mortar or blender.You will find more information and links to herbwebsites and where to purchase tools to pulverize herbs and things to help you use your herbs at PECAN HERB HOME PAGE. |
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| ESSENTIAL OILS |
| These are the concentrated essences of plants usually extracted by steam distillation.It is possible to obtain minute amounts at home but more sensible to purchase them.It is important to find a source of pure unadulterated essential oils to ensure that an oil contains all of a plant's active principles.Essential oils are excellent for making tinctures,adding to massage oils,ointments and other external applications.WARNING -Never put the essential oils from a herb or any planr directly on your skin...they can burn your skin or cause bad reactions..use the oils as they were intended to be used. You can find many recipes using oils...see PECAN HERB HOME PAGE. |
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| OINTMENTS AND CREAMS |
| Prepare and strain a strong decoction or infusion of the herb and add this to a quanity of pure,vegetable oil,such as sunflower oil.Boil until the liquid has evaporated (bubbels cease to appear)leaving the herbal principles in the oil.To stiffen the cream ,stir in melted bees wax.1 ounce should be enough for 1-1/2cups of oil.You can make a cream by melting and blending 1 ounce beeswax,lanolin or coco butter with 4 fluid ounces vegetable or herbal oil.Add 1 ounce of selected herbs and simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.Sift through cheese cloth into a wide -necked jar and label and date the container.A drop of tincture of benzoin or myrrh will extend it's life.DO NOT use BORAX ...it can damage broken skin...Petroleum jelly acts as a non penetrative base.Put 3-1/3ounces petroleum jelly in an enamel pan or bowl over boiling water and melt.Stir in a few drops of essential oil (use eucalyptus for nasal relief).Pour into container and label and date. |
| FOR LINKS AND MORE INFO GO TO PECAN MOON HERB HOME PAGE |
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