Making Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are as old as mankind itself.  These are some basics. 

Infusions are made just like you would make a cup of tea.   A cup of Chamomile tea can be made by steeping 1 teaspoon of the herb in a cup of water for 10 minutes.  Cool completely or drink warm with honey.  The basic recipe is 1 tespoon of herb to a cup of water.  Some good herbs to start with are: mint, Catnip (used for sleep) Chamomile, slippery elm (used for bad coughs) and lemon balm (used for colds) Most of the herbs mentioned here can be purchased online or at a health food store.

Decoctions are more powerful than teas.  They are made by simmering the harder parts of herbs in water for 20 minutes.  Barks, seeds, and woody stems can all be used in Decoctions.  If you know how to make Sassafrass tea, you know how to make decoctions.  If you don’t, it’s 1 pint of cold water to 1 oz. of bark or seed or stems.  Drink in wine glass doses throughout the day. 

Compresses are made by using herbs meant to heal wounds or soothe poison ivy or headaches etc.  They are made by making an infusion as above and then dipping a soft cloth in the tea once it has cooled.  Wring the cloth out and place it on the affected area.  A compress of Lavender can wash wounds or help headaches. 

Well, I hope you have learned a little bit about herbs and how to use them to help your families and yourself.