Basic Herbal Healing Recipes

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Basic Herbal Healing Recipes ©By Wysitra Moonsinger, January, 2000InfusionIngredients:1-3 teaspoons dried herb1 - 6 cups water (depending on how much you want to make at one time)Directions:1. Place herb(s) in teapot2. In a kettle or saucepan, bring the water to boiling and then turn off heat. Pour the boiling water over the herbs3. Cover the teapot, and let the herbs steep for 10 to 20 minutes4. Strain off the liquid into a cup for immediate use, or into a storage container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.Dosage: For most herbs, unless otherwise directed, you can drink one to three cups per day to relieve discomfort.DecoctionsIngredients:1 tablespoon dried herbs2 cups waterDirections:1. Place herbs and water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15 to 30 minutes. Cover the cooking pan to keep the water from evaporating along with some of the potency of the herb. Keep an eye on the pot to assure that the water doesn't simmer away. Turn off the heat.2. To use immediately, strain off the liquid into a cup or mug. Drink3. To store, allow the liquid to cool. Be sure to leave the lid on the pan while cooling. Strain the liquid into a storage container. You can keep a decoction for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.Dosage: Unless otherwise noted in your herbal information, you can usually drink one to three cups per day to relieve discomfort.TincturesIngredients:1 oz. dried herbs5 oz. alcoholDirections:1. Combine the ingredients in a glass or ceramic sterilized jar with a tight fitting nonmetallic lid. Cap the container with the nonmetallic lid.2. Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 to 6 weeks. Shake the jar periodically to help the alcohol extract the herb's active ingredients.3. Strain the liquid into another sterilized glass jar with a tight fitting nonmetallic lid. You can store your tincture for up to 2 years.Dosage: Usually, you will take ½ to 1 teaspoon of the tincture, no more than 3 times per day.SyrupsIngredients:1 part herbal infusion or decoction1 part honey or unrefined sugarDirections:1. Combine the infusion or decoction and the honey or sugar in a saucepan.2. Heat the mixture gently and slowly until the sugar or honey has completely dissolved.3. Pour the mixture into a clean, sterilized glass or ceramic container with a tight fitting nonmetallic lid.4. Cap the jar with the tight fitting nonmetallic lid and store in your refrigerator from three to six months.Dosage: You may use 1 to 2 teaspoons of syrup for up to three times per day.Tonic WinesIngredients:3 oz. dried herb leaves or 2 teaspoons powdered root1 liter red wineDirections:1. Measure the herbs into a vat or ceramic jar, and add the wine. Be sure that the herbs are completely covered by the wine. Steep the mixture for at least 2 weeks.2. Strain or draw off the mixture as needed.3. You can store this liquid for up to 4 months away from all heat sources. Check the mixture frequently for mold, and if found, throw the mixture away.Dosage: Drink a small glass before dinner. Herbal wines are especially good for dispensing dried roots like ginseng and Chinese angelica.CapsulesIngredients:Gelatin capsules, size 00½ gram herb for each capsuleDirections:1. Powder the dried herb by grinding them in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.2. Scoop the powder into the capsule by bring the halves of the capsule together.3. Store capsules in a clean jar, tightly covered.4. You can store your capsules from 3 to 4 months.Dosage: Swallow a capsule with water. Or you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents of the capsule on food, or use it to make an infusion or tincture.PoulticeIngredients:¼ to ½ c. herbsWaterDirections: There are several methods to making a poultice. I will give you three of them today.Method 1:1. Put the herbs in a food processor or blender, give them a whirl, adding a little bit of water to create a sticky paste.Method 2:1. For a warm poultice or if you are using dried or powdered herbs, put the herbs in a saucepan. Barely cover the herbs with water, and simmer carefully for 2 or 3 minutes.2. Allow to cool slightly before applying.Method 3:1. For plants with large, tough leaves, boil the water in a saucepan and then, holding the leaves with tongs, dip the leaves into the water to soften them.Storage: Use poultices fresh, the DO NOT store.To Use: Apply a poultice to insect bites, stings, bruising, swelling, cuts, and scrapes. Wrap the area with a piece of gauze to hold the poultice in place. Generally, warm poultices are soothing for muscle sprains, while cold ones are helpful for bruises.CompressIngredients:Herbal infusion, decoction, or diluted tinctureDirections:1. Soak a clean cotton cloth in the infusion, decoction, or diluted tincture.2. Wring out the cloth so it doesn't drip, and fold it 2 or 3 times.3. Apply the damp compress to injured or problem areas. 4. Replenish hot compresses when they cool. And replenish cold compresses when they warm up.Herbal OilHot Method:Ingredients: 8 oz. dried herb3 cups oil (extra virgin olive oil, safflower or grapeseed oil)Directions:1. Combine the herbs and oil in a double boiler. Cover the pan, and heat the mixture over low heat for 2 to 3 hours. 2. Check periodically to make sure the water in the pan hasn't completely evaporated.3. Store up to 1 year in the refrigeratorUsage: use as a massage oil for arthritis, muscle pain, or fatigueCold Method:Ingredients:8 oz. dried herb3 cups oil (extra virgin olive oil, safflower or grapeseed oil)Directions:1. Pack a clear, sterilized glass jar with the herbs, and cover them with oil. Cover the jar.2. Put the jar in a sunny place for about 2 weeks. Give the jar a good shake once a day.3. If the oil doesn't seem dark or aromatic enough after two weeks, add more herbs and repeat the process.4. Strain the oil into a dark-colored, sterilized bottle.5. Store up to one year in the refrigeratorUsage: Use as a massage oil for arthritis, muscle pain, or fatigue.OintmentsThere are several methods for making ointments. I will give you two of them.Method 1:Ingredients:½ - 1 teaspoon of tincture1 oz. of commercial skin lotionDirections:1. Combine the tincture and lotion, and stir to mix well2. Pour into a small, clean, sterilized jar with a tight fitting nonmetallic lid.3. You can store your mixture 3 - 4 months.Method 2:Ingredients:2 oz. dried herbs16 oz. petroleum jellyDirections:1. Combine the herbs and petroleum jelly in a double boiler, cover the pan, and heat over low heat for about 2 hours. Check the bottom of the pan frequently to assure the water hasn't evaporated.2. Remove from heat and cool slightly. But before the mixture cools and hardens (wear rubber gloves to keep from burning your hands), use a jelly bag or cloth to strain out the herbs and squeeze the jelly into a clean, sterilized glass jar with a tight fitting nonmetallic lid.3. Cap the jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 months.Usage: Protect your skin from winter wind, soothe skin irritations such as diaper rash, or reduce pain of hemorrhoids.SalvesThere are two methods that are popular today. Method 11. Combine the infusion or decoction and oil in a saucepan, heat over medium heat until any water evaporates. (If you are in doubt, remeasure to see that the mixture has been reduced by half.)2. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler.3. Stir the beeswax into the herb/oil mixture until it's of an even consistency. If you wish, add a few drops of essential oil of benzoin or myrrh to help preserve your salve. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to scent the mixture.4. Pour the warm salve into a jar. When cooled, the salve will be the consistency of soft butter or petroleum jelly.Method 21. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler. Stir in the oil.2. Shake in the dried herbs until they are completely covered, but you don't see a lot of excess oil. Cook this mixture in a double boiler for 2 to 3 hours, checking occasionally to be sure there is enough water in the bottom pan.3. If desired, stir in a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.4. Strain the mixture through a cloth into a jar.You can store your salves for up to one year in the refrigerator.Use: Massage sore or tired backs and muscles, moisturize dry skin, or treat skin problems such as eczema, depending upon the herbs that you have used in the preparation.FomentationSoak a clean cloth in the hot tea and place as hot as possible without causing blistering on the affected area. Keep the area moist and warm by placing plastic or oilcloth over the tea-soaked cloth. Make sure the cloth is wet, but not wet enough for the moisture to run off the body. Cover the entire area, keep damp and change periodically.Sources: Many different sources have been used to prepare this list. Way too many to mention here.