Terminology....

[Kaylara]

Would anyone like to define the following terms that are used when working with herbs? (Yes, I know the terms, but I would like to get more than one persons definition of them :) )

Infusion

Decoction

Tincture

Oxymel

Ointment

Compresses

Poultice

Liniments

Blessed Be!
Kaylara

[mol]

But I would love to know them myself...the definitions that is ...

[Lynnaea]

I can help with most of them, been studying herbs awhile now. Been taking lessons in the summer.

Infusion= a tea, just put the plant (leaves usually) into hot water and let it steep

Decoction= Think cooking, put the plant material in water, let it come to a boil and simmer for awhile, like making a stew.

Tincture= herbs extracted in alcohol, vanilla extract is an example of a tinture. Put the plant material into some cheap but high proof vodka and shake daily for a couple of weeks. Strain and bottle, tinctures last indefinatly.

Oxymel ??? new to me

Ointment = plant material infused in grease, or olive oil and beeswax. Many use lard for ointments, or petroleum jelly even.

Compresses= plant material between wet cloths, either hot or cold depending on what is needed.

Poultice= used to draw out inflamation, infection, or a sliver, from a sore spot. You can use stale bread soaked in hot milk, mud, chewed up tobacco, flaxseeds, comfrey roots; there are lots of them. The idea is to have a gooey substance that draws when it dries, like a facial mudpack.

Liniment= used for soreness in muscles, brings blood to the surface of the skin. Usually they are mixtures of infusions or tinctures using hot pepper or mint.

It's getting late, I can't think anymore.

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by Kaylara
Would anyone like to define the following terms that are used when working with herbs? (Yes, I know the terms, but I would like to get more than one persons definition of them :) )

Oxymel



Kaylara, are you going to tell me what a Oxymel is? LOL

[Summer Solstice]

According to Hippocrates – the father of modern medicine, the combination of vinegar and honey called Oxymel created the foundation
for many medicinal herbal formulas.

hope this helps,
Summer solstice

[Lynnaea]

Thanks Summer, I was sort of hanging there. That sounds interesting, does it say what the proportions of honey to vinegar are supposed to be and how much plant material to use?

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by Lynnaea
Thanks Summer, I was sort of hanging there. That sounds interesting, does it say what the proportions of honey to vinegar are supposed to be and how much plant material to use?

Oxymel is just one variation of the "honey meds," and has as many recipes as chicken soup.

As you are familiar with mead, thought to be the basis of all honey medicines, you are half way to making all of the honey based syrups.

The mead variation used in the example of Hippocrates above, is most often called hippocras, and consists of mead mixed with grapes and various spices.

Standard oxymel is mead mixed with vinegar, wine vinegar being the most popular. Other variations of this "ancient" herbal mix are;

melomel, rhodomel, capsicumel, weirdomel, omphacomel, among many others...

Each are a syrup made with honey, each offers a different result and has a different history.

Not sure if this helps... actually, it probably makes things more confusing :p.

Sorry :)

~ew

[Lynnaea]

so Oxymel might be used like a cough syrup, like the honey and lemon juice(instead of vinagar) my mom made. I remember reading a book by an old Vermont doctor that prescribed honey and apple cider vinagar for just about any ailment.

Perhaps the honey would cover the taste of some of the herbs as well as preserve them?
capsicumel sounds like it would have red pepper in the recipe, and melomel might have fruit juices, am I correct?
Thanks, Im going to do some research.

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by Lynnaea
Perhaps the honey would cover the taste of some of the herbs as well as preserve them?
capsicumel sounds like it would have red pepper in the recipe, and melomel might have fruit juices, am I correct?


Now you are getting the idea... and is why I am sure you are a powerful "green witch" :D.

...I often see oxymel, like so many other things in life, classified incorrectly(?). There is far too much to learn about herb magick (or any magick for that matter) than a simple phrase or definition can ever sum up.

~ew

[Kaylara]

EW~
That's the reason I posted this. It gives me more perspectives on the same thing, helps me round my own personal defination (I am a Cancer afterall.)

BB,
Kaylara

PS, Lynnaea Sorry I didn't get back to you on that question... I have been a little busier than I expected to be.

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by Kaylara
EW~
That's the reason I posted this. It gives me more perspectives on the same thing, helps me round my own personal defination (I am a Cancer afterall.)


And what a wonderful idea it was...

...keep em' coming :).

~ew

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by Kaylara
(I am a Cancer afterall.)
BB,
Kaylara


Me too Kaylara, I am also a Cancer sun sign. It was a great idea, when you look at herbals they will say something like "use a decoction of such and such". Most assume you already know that stuff.

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by eaglewolf

..There is far too much to learn about herb magick (or any magick for that matter) than a simple phrase or definition can ever sum up.
~ew


What really help me in herbal stuff was taking a couple of courses in botony classification. Then by studying with local herbal people and doing field work with a good field guide I may get it all straight some day.

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by Lynnaea


What really help me in herbal stuff was taking a couple of courses in botony classification. Then by studying with local herbal people and doing field work with a good field guide I may get it all straight some day.

Stick around, I have alot to learn from you...

...well, we all do that is.

:)

~ew

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by eaglewolf

Stick around, I have alot to learn from you...

Awwww, blush, I'm just a little herb grannie.

[Summer Solstice]

If anyone is interested here is a site about meads that might be interesting.

http://www.solorb.com/gfc/mead/mead.html

Summer Solstice

[eaglewolf]

Great link...

A lot more information than I could provide, thanks! Looks like it's time for some research ;).

~ew

[Lynnaea]

Thanks alot Summer, there is alot of info on this site. I have some honey here and was about to make a new batch to be ready by Beltane, perhaps I will try one of the recipes. I like to pitch the yeast around the new moon, so that would be this weekend.

Hmmm, I wonder if I could flavor it with some of that bumper crop of mugwort I had last year? That would be interesting, psychic dreams on Beltane.

[eaglewolf]

Originally posted by Lynnaea
Hmmm, I wonder if I could flavor it with some of that bumper crop of mugwort I had last year? That would be interesting, psychic dreams on Beltane.

Indeed, could make for some helpful insight, or at least intersting conversation the next day ;).

If you do, be sure to share your results...

~ew

[banondraig]

bump.

[forestrangergrrl]

this is an awesome thread, i always get the terminology mixed up... drives me batty.. lol