Herbal Cure for Common Ailments

Decoction

The tougher parts of the herbal plant like roots, stem and bark are used for this method. The required part of the herb is boiled in water until the water is reduced to half.

Tea or Infusion

Some herbs may lose their medicinal properties when we boil them. To retain these medicinal properties we have to follow this method. Boil some water and pour it onto the required herb. Steep it for 15 minutes, and then remove the leaves. Add honey if required. Generally two cups of water is enough for a rounded spoon of herbs.

Tincture

Place the required herb in alcohol until the alcohol absorbs the soluble parts of the plant. This is very useful for external applications.

Powder Some herbs may be taken in the form of powder. For this you have to dry and powder them. Then add a spoon of required herbal powder in milk or water and drink it.

Syrup

Add sugar syrup to the required herbal infusion.

Distilled

Infused herb is boiled for some time until it becomes condensed.

Even though you can use any of the above said methods, generally leaves and flowers are used with tea/infusion and syrup method, and bark, root and stem are used with decoction or powder method.

The Following Herbs Were Used by People in 18th Century for Some Common Diseases.

The Common Cold

1. Tea of caraway roots for common cold
2. Infusion of marjoram for nasal congestion

Cuts and Wounds

1. Tea of feverfew used for melancholia
2. Powder of thyme is used as an antiseptic
3. Distilled lemon balm is used to clean and heal the wounds
4. Sorrel leaves, Comfrey roots and St. Johnsworts Flowers as poultices.
5. Tincture of St. Johnsworts flowers.

Earaches

Decoction of rue is used for earaches.

Female Conditions

1. Tea of feverfew and lady’s mantle used for menstrual problems
2. Seeds of Queen Ann’s lace are used as contraceptive
3. Seeds of plaintain are used to prevent abortions

Gout

Tea of tansy root and thyme

Headaches

The tea of Rue, Rosemary, thyme, lemon balm and feverfew

Insomnia

Infusion of Marjoram

Internal Parasites

The flowers and seeds of tansy are used.

Kidney Stones

Tea of Lovage and Queen Ann’s Lace

Liver Function

Infusion of Rosemary

Respiratory Disorders

1. Tea of Thyme
2. Decoction of comfrey

Sore Throat

The decoction of sage used for gargling.

Stomach Disorders:

Tea of chamomile, thyme, lemon balm and mint

Toothaches

1. Infusion of thyme used for toothache
2. Decoction of sage used for infected gums