DISCLAIMER

Do not treat the information contained here as a prescription, it is intended as a resource of knowledge for you. Do not use any herb that you cannot positively identify, be it from the wild or your garden. When in doubt you should purchase your dried herbs from a reputable herbalist and seek treatment from a qualified practitioner.

The interest in herbal remedies and the market for them has exploded in the last few decades. Herbal products in Canada and the United States, once confined to the shelves of health food shops, are now in retail outlets everywhere, including independent pharmacies, chain pharmacies, New Age shops, on the Internet, in discount department stores, supermarkets and even convenience stores. Today it is estimated that the market for herbal dietary supplements is more than $5 billion dollars annually.

With herbal medicines so popular, they are still not well-understood by professional healthcare provider or home user alike. Many do not even understand that herbs can be used in different routes of administration, other than just pill form. Listed below are some of the common uses for herb administration for the home herbalist.

Pills

Pills are simply smaller forms of lozenges, and are swallowed whole, instead of being retained in the mouth.

NEED: Bowl, powdered herbs, honey, water, carob or slippery elm powder, cookie sheet, oven.

PREPARE: Mix powdered herbs in bowl (except slippery elm or carob, unless they are part of your recipe). Add a small amount of honey and a little bit of water, mix and continue adding water until mixture reaches a dough-like consistency and is slightly sticky with honey. Roll dough into balls about pea-sized or smaller and roll in carob or slippery elm powder, then place, evenly spaced, on cookie sheet. Set out to dry on a warm, dry day, or put in the oven at lowest temperature (pilot light for gas) for 30-60 minutes or until completely dry. Be careful not to burn them. Remove and let cool.

USE: Pills are swallowed whole with a glass of water or juice or can be chewed. They are used as a portable herbal preparation, or simply to prevent one from having to taste the herbs too much. They can be used for just about anything infusions, decoctions, or tinctures can be used for.

STORAGE: Store in airtight container out of direct light in cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If they get wet, discard immediately or else they may mold.

Capsules

Capsules can be very easy to make if you have the right tools, and you can make many at the same time. They’re usually made out of herbs that taste bad; this way you don’t need to drink an infusion of them! They also tend to be more convenient to carry and take than teas and infusions. However, on the down side, the herbs are powdered and thus are a bit weaker and have less of a shelf life.

NEED: Empty capsules (gelatin or veggie (available for vegetarians)), capsule holder/maker, powdered herbs, index card.

PREPARE: Open up all the empty capsules and place the narrower pieces into the capsule holder, opening up. Pour the herb or herb mixture onto the capsules and holder, then, taking the index card, scrape the herbs carefully into the capsules. Add more herb or herb mixture if needed to fill the capsules. Scrape/level off the excess and put the lids on the caps.

USE: Capsules can be used for anything decoctions and infusions can be used for, except in cases where the healing properties involves the infusion or decoction coming in direct contact with the mouth or upper digestive tract, like a bitter/digestive aid or a mucilage for the mouth, throat or stomach.

STORAGE: Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool, dry place for no more than 3-4 months.

Lozenges

Lozenges are an easy-to-make portable herbal preparation. Those are used to alleviate sore throats and coughs, as well as freshen breath and aid in the digestive process.

NEED: Bowl, powdered herbs, honey, water, carob or slippery elm powder, cookie sheet, oven.

PREPARE: Mix powdered herbs in bowl (except slippery elm or carob, unless they are part of your recipe). Add a small amount of honey and a little bit of water, mix and continue adding water until mixture reaches a dough-like consistency and is slightly sticky with honey. Roll dough into balls about ½-¾ inch big and roll in carob or slippery elm powder, then place, evenly spaced, on cookie sheet. Set out to dry on a warm, dry day, or put in the oven at lowest temperature (pilot light for gas) for 30-60 minutes or until completely dry. Be careful not to burn them. Remove and let cool.

USE: Lozenges are held in the mouth and wet with saliva. They are sucked on and the resulting juices are allowed to coat the mouth and throat to soothe sore throats and coughs, as well as sweeten breath, aid digestion, or work on mouth ulcers.

STORAGE: Store in airtight container out of direct light in cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If they get wet, discard immediately or else they may mold.

Teas

Teas are the weakest of the water-based preparations and can be used on a more long-term basis. Teas are also usually preferred for leafy, flowery and stalk parts of the plant, while decoctions are recommended for roots, twigs and bark.

NEED: Cup (mug), near-boiling water, strainer, herbs

-Using DRIED herbs it is recommended that 1 to 2 teaspoons of herbs per 8 oz. water be placed in a cup, either loose or in a teaball or some kind of strainer.

-Using FRESH herbs, it is recommended that 3 to 4 teaspoons of herbs per 8 oz. water are crushed and bruised and placed in a cup, either loose or in a teaball or some kind of strainer.

PREPARE: Pour near-boiling water over the herbs, covering them completely with hot water. Cover the cup and let it steep. Strain and drink, inhaling the steam. Most plants can be steeped 3 to 20 minutes for a tea. Chamomile should steep no more than 8 minutes or else it can cause stomach upset. Mints (including catnip) should be steeped no more than 10 minutes or else the tannins in the plants will cause the tea to be bitter.

USE: Teas are usually taken ‘as needed,’ (such as for headaches), or for more serious problems, 3 to 4 cups a day.

STORAGE: Store unused tea in the fridge in airtight glass containers if possible. Most teas will keep in the fridge for about a week.

NOTE: Experts recommend steeping the “regular” green teas and black teas only 3 minutes.

Infusions

An infusion is a water-based preparation that can be taken internally, used as a wash, or used in making poultices.

NEED: Glass jar with lid or stainless steel pot with lid, herbs, water, and strainer.

PREPARE: Boil 1 pint of water, pour over 1 oz. herbs and steep, covered for 2-8 hours. Strain.

USE: This is a stronger brew than the teas and tends to be used for more acute problems. Infusions can be used for just about any problem and are usually used mid–to long–term. Infusions can be consumed or used for making washes, douches or poultices.

STORAGE: Keep in a dark, dry, cool place (refrigerate), in an airtight container for up to a week.

Decoctions

A decoction is the strongest of the water-based preparations. It is similar to a tea or infusion, but is much more concentrated and often taken in smaller doses.

Most herbalists make a decoction when using roots and barks, while leafy and flowery parts of plants are usually made into teas.

NEED: Glass jar with lid, or stainless steel pot with lid, herbs, water and strainer.

PREPARE: There are at least two methods of preparing decoctions; either way, they are very concentrated. Boil 1 quart of water; pour over 2 oz of herbs, steep 2-8 hours, covered. Strain, cover and boil infusion down to 1 pint.

Boil 2 oz herbs and 1 quart (2 pints) water, covered, until there is only 1 pint water left. Strain.

USE: Very strong, these are excellent for acute conditions and are taken by the teaspoon or tablespoon, or even half-cup, as opposed to a whole cup or more. Small doses are taken frequently throughout the day or until symptoms subside. Decoctions can be used for headaches, migraines, colds, infections, pain, and nausea to name a few. They are usually used short-term due to their strong concentration.

STORAGE: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

We will continue Capsule, Tea, Tincture... Oh My! through the August/September issue; all segments will be archived for your future reference on www.innertapestry.org.

Christopher Bashaw is a registered nurse with 24 years experience specializing in integrative medicine. Christopher currently is seeing patients at the Mizu Tama Dojo and White Lotus Healing Arts Clinic in Rochester, NH as well as Pinewood Medical Center at the Pinewood Healing Arts Center in Somersworth, NH. http://www.freewebs.com/mizu_tama_dojo.