Lesson 1

[RavensEye]

LESSON 1 - We will be covering the various ways you can prepare herbs for use. Such as

Infusions
Decoctions
Tincture
Herbal Wines
Syrup
Oil infusions
Cream Ointment
Compress
Poultice
Steam and Inhalant

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The assignment is to read over the lesson and pick one method to use and actually try it . Do a write up about the herb, why you chose it and the method you are using and then post in this thread.

(If you cannot afford herbs or other items needed for the method you wanted to try we will come up with an alterative assignment for you. More about that when the issue arises.)

[RavensEye]

removed

[RavensEye]

Decotions

A Decotion is used to prepare the parts of the plant, such as the seed, root, or bark. Decotions are usually made in larger quantities and last longer then infusions because the boiling process sterilizes the liquid.

Method:

20g (1 oz) of dried herbs or 40g (2oz) of fresh herb to about 800ml (1 ˝ pints) of water.

Section of the roots, or bark should be chopped as finely as possible to allow the boiling water to extract the most from the plant as possible. Place the herb into a pan and cover the herb with cold water, then bring to a boil. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and simmer for the ten minutes.


If you want to use two herbs such as a root, and a flower then you should add the leaf at the end of the simmering period. The mixture then should be left for ten minutes and should still be covered.

[RavensEye]

Gargle and mouthwashes

A gargle and mouthwashes can be made from an infusion, a decoction, or a diluted tincture. Gargles and mouthwashes can be used to help aid complaints of irritated sore throats, tender gums or freshen breath.

Choose herbs that are know for their antiseptic properties, and make sure you know what the recommended dosage is and what general cautions you need to be aware of. A gargle can be used 4-5 times a day.

Methods:

Infusions/ Decoctions
Make an infusion of herb tea; allow to stand for 10 minutes, then leave to cool as required. Strain and uses as a gargle or mouthwash.


Tinctures
Dilute 5ml (1tsp) of the chosen tincture in 100ml (4 fl oz) of water, and use as indicated

[gypsy0108]

Tinctures:
In a tincture the properties of the herbs are extracted and preserved in alcohol.
In ancient times this was accomplished using wines, (as is where the "mulled wines" originated from!)
Tinctures can be made with fresh or dried herbs. Tinctures can also be made "non-alcoholic"
by adding the adequate ratio of water to the tincture mix and leaving the mixture uncovered
for several hours while the alcohol evaporates, useful for those people that are unable to take alcohol.
The philosophy behind tincture is to capture the spiritual and physical essence of the plant.
This is done by using the power of alcohol to dissolve and preserve the herb in question.
Most preparations are made with 100 proof vodka. It's clear, affordable and easy to obtain.
100 proof means it is exactly half water and half alcohol. this makes figuring dosages
easy as most dosages recommended by herbalists are based on the assumption
that a tincture was made at 50% - 1/2 water, 1/2 alcohol. If you are concerned
about ingesting the alcohol, I would recommend placing the bottle of tincture
in boiling water for 1-2 minutes which will remove about 1/2 the alcohol.
You may also use glycerin or cider vinegar. These won't be as strong as
alcohol based ones, but they will still be effective and are often a good
choice for children's remedies.
*note: If using vinegar heat it slightly before pouring. It should be warm, not hot.*

how to make:
Measure 4 oz. of dried herb to 1 pint solution (vodka, cider, vineger or other ).
Place dried herb in glass jar. Do not use plastic or metal.
Pour solution over herbs, seal and place in a dark cool place.
Shake daily for 2-4 weeks.
After 2-4 weeks, strain into a clean glass container using cheese cloth or a coffee filter if cloth is not available.
Squeeze out excess liquid from the herb the best you can.
Cap and store in a cool dark place.


Tips:

Colored or tinted glass bottles are best for protecting your tincture.
Don't forget to label the contents and date of preparation on your bottle.

Advantages of Tinctures
Tintures remain potent for many years.
Many doses are obtained from a small ammount of plant material.
Tintures are verry effective in smaller doses and eaiser to carry arround.
Some herbs can only be extracted with alcohol.
Tintures are fast acting and the dosages are easy to control.

One good tincture i have been using for years is a tincture of feverfew
It relives migraines quickly.
follow the directions for making tinctures and use feverfew for the herb.

Dosage
Since tinctures are verry concentrated extracts of herbs preserved in alcohol very little is needed. Use from 5 to 15 drops at a time. One drop of tincture is equal to 1 teaspoon of herb juice.

[gypsy0108]

Syrups

Medicinal syrups are formed when sugar is incorporated with a vegetable infusion, decoction, expressed juices,
fermented liquors, or simple water solutions.
Sometimes tinctures are added to a simple syrup, and the alcohol is evaporated. The tincture is occasionally
combined with the sugar and gently heated, or exposed to the sun until the alcohol is evaporated and the
syrup then prepared with the impregnated sugar and water. Refined sugar makes a better, clearer, and
better flavored syrup. Any simple syrup can be preserved by substituting glycerine for a certian portion of the syrup.
Always make the syrups in small quanties.

A plain simple syrup can be made this way:
35 ounces refined sugar
20 fluid ounces distilled water

Dissolve the sugar in the water over heat. Raise the temp to boiling, and then strain the solution while still hot.
Add enough distilled water through the strainer to make the syrup measuer 2 pints and 12 fluid ounces.

[gypsy0108]

OINTMENTS AND CREAMS

OINTMENTS

Ointments are a soothing, healing, slightly fatty or oily substance into
which the essence of a plant had been dissolved.
Basically by heating the fat or oil with the plant till
it loses it's normal color.
The plant is then strained out and beeswax is added to harden the ointment.
ointments can also be used in liquid form but will not keep as well.


To make a simple ointment:


8 ounce lard by weight
2 ounce beeswax
2 ounces fresh herbs (1 ounce dried herbs)


Simmer 2 ounces of fresh herbs, or 1 ounce of finely chopped dried herbs, in 8 ounces of pure lard,
or vegetable fat and 2 ounces of beeswax for 10-15 minutes.


Strain through a fine sieve or cloth. (For a double strength ointment, add another measure of herbs to the
strained ointment, and re-simmer.


Pour into a jar and let cool before storing.

Adding a little benzoin to help preserve the ointment, and the benzoin will help sooth chapped skin.


An alternate way to make the ointment or salve is to add crushed dried herbs to olive oil
and cook in very low heat in the oven for 3-4 hours. Then, strain into melted beeswax
and quickly add to containers before the beeswax sets.

CREAMS

A Cream is an “emulsion” of a water base and an oil base by use of an “emulsifier agent” to bind the
two bases so they will not separate.
The easiest way to make creams is to buy an emulsifying cream from the drugstore, and heat
the desired herb plant material in it.

1. To begin, melt approximately 2 tablespoons of emulsifying cream in a bowl placed over a pot of boiling water.
2. Add one large tablespoon of dried herbs to the mixture, and stir slowly until the cream takes on the color of the herbs.
3. Remove from heat, strain, and squeeze the remaining liquid from the clump.
4. Let cream cool in a glass bowl, and spoon into small, dark bottles.
5. Store jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

[RavensEye]

When preparing an eyewash you need to ensure that no bacteria comes into contact with the eyes. That means that everything you use the eye wash, cloths everything should be sterilized. If you need to do an eyewash for both eyes then have two eyewashes prepared.

Preparing an Eyebath Method 1
The Eyebath is prepared the same way as an infusion, but first the water needs to be boiled for 10 minutes before pouring the water over the herbs to ensure that it is sterilized. Then the liquid needs to be strained very carefully, to avoid particles of the herb being transferred to the eyes. Allow the liquid to cool before applying.

Using the eyebath
Place the liquid in the eyebath and cover the eye, tipping the head back to allow the solution to gently bathe the eye. You can bathe your eyes up to two times a day.

Another way to use the eye bath is to make a compress by soaking a piece of cotton or linen into the eyebath infusion. Allow to cool and place on the eyelids for 10 –15 minutes.

If any discomfort , irritation occurs when using the eye ways stop the treatment immediately.

[RavensEye]

Inhalations
A steam inhalation can be used to relieve conditions such as cold, flues, catarrh sinuses and many other problems. The steam helps relax the airways and benefits mucous membranes.

Method
Two pot fulls (1Lire{2pints} approximately) of liquid are needed. Prepare an infusion of the herb by adding the freshly boiled water, then pour immediately into a suitable bowl.

If you are using Essential Oils, first boil the water; pour into the bowl, then add Essential oil (approximately 3-6 drops).

Sit comfortably and place a large towel over your head and the bowl so that none of the steam escapes. You can do this for up to 10 minutes or until the water cools. And do remember to come for air every now and then. Afterwards sit in a warm room for about 30 minutes to allow your respiratory system to adjust to the outside temperature.

[gypsy0108]

herbal wines
Tonic wines, such as rose wine, and spiced wines, are made by steeping herbs and spices
in the wine, straining and removing. Mulled ciders, wines and ales are made by heating
the beverage with the spices added and serving it hot, either strained or not. For
spices you want 1 part spice to 3 parts wine or more; for herbs 1 part herb to
2 parts wine. Infuse for 2 weeks or more.

one of the most common that I know of is Dandelion wine.

Keep in mind that this recipe has been passed down (hand written) over the years.
You can modify it, experiment with it as you please. Note: the secret to
the potency of this wine is in the raisins. The more raisins, the stronger your wine will be.


Ingredients:

Dandelion blossoms
1 Gallon of Water
1 qt. of Water
2 lbs. Sugar
2 Oranges
1 Lemon
Yeast
1 handful of Raisins

Makes one gallon





Directions:

Use only fresh blossoms, from which all stems are removed (otherwise it will be a bitter wine).
For every gallon of flowers (well packed but not crushed) pour one gallon of boiling water
over them. Let this mixture sit 24 hours or so. It will smell really weird
(sort of like artichoke water - Don't worry this is okay). Then, add lemon,
oranges, raisins, sugar (Use a bit less than this for a drier wine) and yeast.
Special wine or bread yeast both work well. Add a little (about 1 quart)
of hot water over the top of this mixture. Put cheesecloth over the opening
of the container (to keep bugs out) and let sit and ferment for 10 days.


After the 10 days, strain into a cask/vat/container. If you don't have fancy wine-making equipment
a bottle from those water fountain dispensers (5 gal.) with a water seal works great.
For water seal, put a large cork in the top of the container through which you can run
some aquarium tubing. Seal the top with duct tape (to ensure no air leaks) and run the
tubing from inside the liquid about halfway inside the bottle, downwards into a bucket
of water. Water seal lets the carbon dioxide escape from the fermenting wine, into the
water, letting no air into the process. Let this arrangement sit for however long it takes,
until there is no further fermentation/action taking place, and the liquid looks clear.
Then siphon off the wine (taking care not to disturb the sediment in the bottom) and bottle it.

This wine can be tasted at this point, but is better if you let it sit about 3 more months.

[gypsy0108]

Poultices and compresses

A compress or a fomentation is made by soaking a cloth in an strained infusion or
decoction of the herb, and applying it to the affected part, either hot or cold as is needed.
Compresses are especially indicated where you don't want the actual herb touching the skin,
such as the eye region.


Poultices & Plasters
Poultices and plasters are generally the same thing: mashed and/or heated herbs applied to the skin as a dressing.
The major difference between modern poultices and plasters is that plasters tend to have a layer of
cloth between them and the skin.

Cold poultices
Cold poultices, such as plantain, provide cool moist heat. Soothing mucilaginous herbs and
botanicals such as plantain and oatmeal are supposed to soothe the heat of a wound
or injury, and ease skin irritation.
collect a goodly quantity of the fresh herb
mash/bruise it with a mortar and pestle, or grind it to a paste in a food processor
(for small hurts, chew a leaf of plantain to serve as a poultice)
If you must use dry herb, reconstitute it by soaking in water, or better, make an infusion
and use as a compress. Powders can be mixed with water to form a paste.
spread it on the affected part
For tidiness, you may want to cover the poulticed area with a wrapped cloth or gauze bandaging.

Hot poultices
Hot poultices provide moist heat. Hot poultices and compresses can be used to 'draw' things
like wound infections, pimples and boils to the surface. Hot applications to the face,
neck, and chest have been used to combat congestion.
Gather a goodly quantity of the fresh herb. (Use dried herb only when absolutely necessary.)
Bruise or mash and cook with a little water until hot, or mix powder with a little hot water to form a paste.
Apply to the affected part
Cover with a cloth/towel/bandage so it doesn't drip all over the place, and to keep the heat in.
Generally, the stronger the action of the botanicals, the shorter the time it should stay in contact
with the skin. Mucilaginous poultices such as plantain and marshmallow root can stay on
longer than those with active ingredients!