Properties at a Glance

This area looks at the terms applied to herbal preparations, how to make them and a quick reference list of all the herbs you are likely to come across. If you can't find it in here then e-mail me or post it on the board and we will try to find it!

Small Glossary of Terms. 

DECOCTION: Place one ounce of herb in one pint of water. Make certain that roots are put in to boil before leaves. Once the water has come to a boil, simmer for about 30 minutes covered, then leave to cool completely. Strain and use as directed.

INFUSION: The original form of a potion, an infusion is not unlike a tea in quality. Pour boiling water over the herb in the proportions of one ounce herb to one pint water (although you may need much less for herbs that infuse quickly in water). Steep for fifteen to thirty minutes until a tea is formed. Use as directed.

 MACERATE: To steep an herb in fat, such as done with salve and ointments. Best oils to use are almond and sesame. Warm one cup of oil over a low flame and place one-half ounce herbs wrapped in cheesecloth to soak. Continue until the herbs have lost their colour and the oil is rich with their scent.

 OINTMENT: A fatty substance such as lard to which herbs are added. Choose herbs according to the effect you desire, or enchant them, or both. For healing ointments, choose according to physical ailment. Three teaspoon of herb to one cup of fat, steeped and heated several times should prove very nice. Vegetable shortening will work very well, especially almond and saffron. All ointments should be kept cool and in air tight containers for best results. For magic, ointments work best when applied to pulse points or chakras.

 POULTICE: A portion of herbs placed in an equal amount of boiling water to steep. Once herbs have been fully dampened, strain the water and place the herbs in gauze or cheesecloth applied directly to the affected area. This can be a little messy, so have a towel handy. It works fairly well, especially for rashes and other mild skin disorders.

 TINCTURE: For ounces of herb steeped in eight ounces of alcohol for about two weeks gives a reasonable tincture. The bottle should be sealed and left in a dark area, and the liquid strained when the tincture is ready.

 WASH: A tea or infusion meant only for external use. A mild form of a wash would be 1/4 ounce of herb to one pint of boiling water, steeped until lukewarm, then applied.

Herbal Preparations.

Water Preparation.

Herbs (and nearly all patent medicines as well) work quickest in fluid-filled spaces of the body: hence they are not as effective for bone or cartilage ailments. Water is, in general, a very good solvent for many of the herb's properties, but water will not dissolve resins or oils.

Solar Infusions.

Put fresh (or dried) herb in a jar with cool water, place in sun for 1-2 days. Compared with hot infusions, solar infusions seem more alive and pleasant, with subtle non-acidic flavours, more plant spirit. Adam Seller calls it Grace in a jar. I make them all summer. Lunar Infusions are similar: These enter the realm of lunar magickal influences and Moon signs.

Suspended Cold Infusions.

A density-based convection cell is set up--good for leaves, flowers, slimy or mucilaginous roots and barks. This method preserves volatiles & mucopolysaccharides: (Eg.: Althea, Comfrey, Echinacea, slippery Elm bark) Mucopolysaccharides are soothing to mucosa, stimulate T-cell multiplication, are used in poultices, good for sore throat, UTIs, upset stomach: ½ to 1 oz. herbs to quart jar.

Hot Infusions.

Use glass, enamel, stainless steel, or ceramic containers. Boil water, turn off heat, Infuse herbs in covered container. 1 tsp/cup dried herb (or 2 tbsp/cup fresh herb) from 5 min.- 10 min for chamomile, mint, or beverage teas (tisanes) ½ oz to 1 oz. in 1 pt. to 1 qt. water from 30 minutes to overnight for medicinal strength teas. For fennel and chamomile a few teaspoons are OK, no long infusions for chamomile or it turns bitter.   It is sensible to make a day's supply at one time; usually about a quart.

Decoctions.

Use for Roots, Barks, or Seeds unless they are aromatic. If aromatic, such as fennel, an infusion is better. Goldenseal and valerian roots are high in volatiles. They are best prepared as infusions but both taste vile, so you may prefer pills or tinctures. Put herb in cool water, cover, simmer for 20 minutes (minimum) to 1 hour. Then let the mixture sit covered from one hour to overnight. You can decoct the same batch of herbs several times, adding a little fresh herb mixture each time to maintain the strength. If you have a mixture that needs both decoction and infusion techniques You can decoct, turn the heat off, and then add herbs to be infused into a tightly covered container.

Inhalations.

Boil water. Take kettle off heat. Pour hot water over herbs in a ceramic or glass bowl, and when cool enough to do so, inhale the herbal steam with a towel covering your head, forming a tent over the bowl. Facial steams are great for the complexion, sinusitis, upper respiratory complaints and allergies. These are heating therapies which speed up the heart rate, stimulate flushing and sweat, etc. These should not be used by those in a severely weakened state or anyone who has advanced cardiac disease.

Poultice.

Mashed, usually warm, herbs on skin.

Fomentation.

A compress made of a cloth dipped in a strong tea.

Herbal Baths.

Baths have physiological & psychological effects. Bathe with a giant tea bag to avoid clogging drain with loose herbs.

Herbal Extractions.

(Tinctures, liniments, vinegars, essences, glycerins)

Alcoholic tinctures preserve the virtues of the herb for a long time, require very little in the must do’s as far as storage is concerned. This is a great way to preserve herbs which go off or lose their potency quickly. It is the best way for rare plants,  due to improved medicinal extraction and greater concentration with less waste. Shelf life is 1 year to a few centuries. The alcohol can be vaporized with hot water if the person taking the tincture does not want to ingest alcohol. Vinegar or Glycerin extracts are not as strong and are more difficult to make. There is poorer extraction of medicinal properties and don't work at all for resins. Herbal vinegars last longer if refrigerated.

If using weaker alcohol than EVERCLEAR: (eg: 100 proof vodka): Blend Alcohol and herb together in a blender, then shake each day for two weeks.

Flower Essences.

A magical remedy, like the dew flower essences, works on energetic and psychic levels. Pick flowers without touching the petals with your hands: you can use the plant's own leaves. Some people prefer crystal bowls for the solar infusion, and cut the flowers with a Boline or crystal. The Solar Infusion, preserved with 40% brandy or vodka, gives a "Mother Tincture." Use four drops of Mother Tincture or several Mother Tinctures, to make a treatment bottle, then fill bottle most of the way with spring water, then preserve with brandy/vodka. The water you use should not be bottle spring water as this has been chemically treated but instead should be from the source itself or fresh rainwater can be used. You can ingest drops, apply topically, and even bathe in it. Usually flower essences are taken at least four times a day plus as needed to deal with psychological and spiritual issues, often while reciting affirmations focusing on the issue. Used in this way, they help to re-train the subconscious mind and communicate with the animal-self.

Herbal Vinegars

An alternative way to extract plants essence. Chop the herb finely, and pour warmed apple cider vinegar over it to cover it, plus a few inches more, to allow for herb swelling. Macerate for 4-6 weeks. Shake extracts daily. Strain and press extract, and rebottle. They should be refrigerated between uses since they can go mould as plant fluids released into the vinegar have decreased the acidity of the vinegar.

Plant Oils.

2 oz herb: 1 cup oil

The wetter and juicier the plants, the more danger of rancidity. The mixture can be placed in the sun, or in sandboxes heated by the sun. You can also extract herbs into oil in a double boiler, crock pot, or in mason jars in a water bath in the oven at very low heat for several (2-4) hours. Low heat is best. Olive, almond, or jojoba oils are the usual solvents. Steep the plant (usually fresh but wilted to decrease water content) in the oil. The jar must be full with no air and minimal moisture or it will go rancid. Some herbalists recommend wiping the jar's headroom with a cloth or tissue each day, and topping off with oil. Remove any water that collects below the oil with a turkey baster or siphon. Do not mix oils that are pressed or expressed with those that are simply strained without pressing. The pressed oils will be more likely to spoil, as they will have more water, microbes, and sediment. Pressed oil portions should be used up quickly, and it is wise to store them refrigerated.

NOTE

Quick Reference to All Them Herbs

With all these herbs, please research them before using internally or topically. Some are deadly poison. Also, if you have an on going health problem, please consult your physician or herbalist before using. This site and author do not accept responsibility for personal use of herbs or for any information used from this board

Key.

I = Incense or perfume
O = Oil, dust (powder), or bath
C = Charm or talismanic use
D = Drug, ointment, potion, etc

WARNING: There is one type of bean to be especially aware of. The castor bean is highly dangerous. In powder form it can kill with in moments.