How to use Herbs and Essential oilsIf you are a baby-boomer, then most likely your Grandparents or Great Grandparents and previous generations all used these methods. Somewhere in time though we got away from natural treatments and nature's gifts and depend on chemicals and antibiotics to the point they may not be as effective as they once were if you have used them too much. In fact, you would be surprised at the chemicals and toxins that you touch, smell and use everyday! I hope we can all become better educated in using our natural resources and taking control over what is being used in our homes and on our bodies. See Essential Oils Cautions when using Herbs and Essential oils 
Herbal Extracts and Essential Oil ExtractsAn extract is a concentrate that results when crude herb is mixed with a suitable solvent, such as alcohol and/or water. Of the different herbal forms, extracts are generally the most effective because their active ingredients are more highly concentrated, and they can be standardized to a guaranteed potency. They have a longer shelf life than other preparations as well. Fresh herbal extracts retain almost all of the original plant's benefits. They are also available alcohol free. When administering sublingually (drops are placed under the tongue), these extracts can be absorbed into the body quickly.Teas, Infusions, and DecoctionsUnlike green, black, and oolong teas, herbal teas can be made from virtually any plant, and from any part of the plant, including the roots, flowers, seeds, berries, or bark, although there are some herbs, such as echinacea, gingko leaf, saw palmetto, and milk thistle, that are not effective as healing when taken in tea form because their active components are not water soluble, and the concentration needed for medicinal potency is so high it can be obtained only from an extract, pill or capsule.Different herbal teas are very good for relieving mild to moderate ailments such as upset stomach, sore throat, coughs, stuffy nose, and insomnia. Most are available in "tea bag" form but you can make them from the raw herb as well. To make an herbal tea, gently crumble leaves, flowers and break roots and barks into pieces and place them in a ceramic or glass container-not metal. (do not cut up the herbs, that causes the essential oils to dissapate) Cover the herbs with boiling water in your container and allow them to steep. You do not want to boil the herbs themselves! Most herbs should be steeped for four to six minutes, although some herbal teas such as chamomile, need to be steeped for fifteen to twenty minutes in a covered container in order to deliver the full therapeutic effect. Herbs such as ginseng roots can be boiled. Astragalus can be lightly simmered for several hours. Asian's make a chicken broth/tonic soup as food and medicine with ginseng root, astragalus, dong quai, and other herbs. Infusion is simply another term for tea. It is the easiest way to take herbal remedies. You boil water and add leaves, stems, flowers, or powdered herbs/plant material whose active ingredients dissolve in hot water, then steep, strain, and drink as a tea. A decoction is a tea made from a thicker plant part such as bark, roots, seeds, or berries. These also contain lignin, a substance that is difficult to dissolve in water. This "decoction" method takes a more vigorus extraction method than infusions do. 
TincturesTinctures made from herbs are extracted with solvents like alchohol and glycerol. They are soaked in the solvent for a period of time, then pressed to render the tincture. This method can preserve the extracted ingredients for up to twelve months.Compresses, Plasters, and PoulticesThese are the ways to apply herbal remedies directly to the skin. Compresses and plasters are made with a fabric such as cotton bandages soaked in infusions or decoctions and then wrapped on the affected area or just held on with pressure. Compresses are also used warm. A poultice is made by moistening herbs and placing them on the skin and holding them on with a bandage. You can use a wet warm tea bag for insect bites, itching, etc, with a chamomile blend.Salves, Ointments, and CreamsThis is an herb mixed with an oily base for external use. A heavier type oil will protect the skins surface, while a lighter type cream that is less oily will blend and penetrate into the skin better.Vinegars and WinesVinegars are very popular and come in many different looks and flavors. They are pretty to display and are basically vinegars with herbs in it. People use these infused vinegars to marinate and use on salads.Examples of vinegars used are : balsamic, apple cider, and rice. Add the herb(s) of your choice to the vinegar of your choice and allow the herbs to steep for four days. Be sure to shake or stir it up every day then you strain it and bottle it. Some people use a straining type cloth and press the extra extracts from the herb out as well. You will see many of the decorative vinegars on the market today, the herbs are left right in the bottle. I suggest saving a glass jar like a mayonaise jar to steep in. You must wash the jar well and it is best to boil the jar in a pot as you would when making jams and jellies. If you use wine instead of vinegars or a stronger type alcohol, remember it will not keep as long and you should refridgerate it. HERBSBASIL: is a little pepper like and sweet. A natural insect repellent. Just steep 1 cup of fresh leaves in about 2 cups of water for 20 minutes that you have boiled and removed from heat. Let coll and pour in a spray bottle and you can mist around you exterior door entries, your patio, deck, porch, and garage to chase off mosquitoes and pesky flies.BAY LEAF: is semi-strong and woodsy. You can grow your own bay leaf tree. They are hardy and do well in most climates and you will have fresh leaves to cook with at-hand for your stews, roast, and even special crafts using bay leaves. CARDAMON: has slight hints of lemon, eucalyptus and even cinnamon notes. CHIVES: a mild onion aroma. It is also a natural pesticide and those "aphids" eating on your plants don't like chives. Boil 1 cup of water and add 1/4 cup of chopped fresh chives. Let this mixture steep, covered overnight. Strain, then add about 2 cups of cold water to the strained liquid. Pour in a spray bottle. Spray around flower gardens and mist plants. CILANTRO: a citrus/grassy scent. CLOVES: an odd aroma, pungent and sweet. Great spice for hams and for a special holiday craft to fragrace a room, poke whole cloves into an orange (cover completely) and hang with ribbon. Clove can also help relieve a toothache. Just lightly smash a dried clove and hold on to the troubled tooth. DILL: a nice fresh aroma. FENNEL: strong and like black licorice. GINGER: spicy, sweet, a little peppery. LAVENDER: a sweet type floral. LEMONGRASS: lemony scent. MINT: cool, sweet, fresh. NUTMEG: very aromatic, sweet, warm. OREGANO: kind of peppery. PARSLEY: grass-like and fresh. ROSEMARY: smells like pine and is sweet. SAGE: woodsy, a little odd. TARRAGON: Strong and has a hint of licorice and can be a little tart. Make a great herb vinegar. THYME: A nice warm aroma with a hint of lemon and mint. Site Links:Essential OilsCautions when using Herbs and Essential oils Pregnancy How to do a Home Facial Skincare Information and Tips Tea Tree Oil |