When it comes to preparing herbs for medicinal purposes, there are several methods that can be used. Chopping the herbs finely and adding them to a glass jar is a great place to start. For tinctures, all parts of the plant can be used. Then, pour alcohol on the plant matter and close the jar.
Keep it in the container for four to six weeks, shaking the jar periodically. This is necessary to preserve potency and make their use more practical. Drying herbs is another traditional way to preserve them. This concentrates the taste of herbs, so you may only need to use one-third to one-quarter of the amount of fresh herbs in recipes. Herbal teas are a popular way to use herbal medicines, but there are other options too, both topically and internally.
It is also important to consider the environment in which the herbs are grown, as this can have an effect on their potency. When ordering herbs, it is important to ensure that they are of good quality. For example, you could order turkey rhubarb and slippery elm powder, whole herb from sheep's sorrel and burdock root, chopped from Mountain Rose Herbs. A decoction is a simmered tea and is the preferred form of preparation for bark, roots, medicinal mushrooms and hard non-aromatic seeds. Juliet's lifelong captivation with medicinal weeds and herb gardening has given rise to many botanical companies over the decades, including an herb nursery and herbal products business from farm to apothecary. It is important to remember that herbalism involves more than just medicinal properties; it also includes important cultural values, history and traditions. For example, when using yarrow for topical applications such as a balm for yarrow, it is important to pray to the plant and explain that you're taking the herb for the good of mankind.
Many herbs and supplements are simplified, dumb or less potent than what may be available through a practitioner. Poultices are another way to use herbs medicinally. These are made from fresh or dried herbs that are moistened and finely chopped or pulverized before use as a topical application. One of the most common poultices is made from plantain grass that is applied for insect bites. Learning how to nourish your body with a natural medicine cabinet using items from your spice and herb kit is an art form in itself. Knowing how to best prepare an herb to release its medicinal properties is an important part of this process.
