Natural Remedies.
Natural Remedies is the use of plants to support general health and wellbeing.
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HERBAL MEDICINE, also known as BOTANICAL MEDICINE - “is the use of plants to support general health and wellbeing.”
History.
Herbal medicine is made from plants and has been the main source of medicine used by people around the world for thousands of years.
Herbal medicine can be traced back to Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, as well as Arabic, European and American cultures. This gives a foundation of traditional use and more recently, use with increasing scientific research.
Teas and decoctions.
Teas and decoctions are infusions in water. Some are simples (single) and some are blends. Blends enable the benefits of using multiple herbs aimed at supporting specific ailments and your personal needs. The benefit of blending these yourself means they are tailored specifically to your requirements.
Teas are usually made from the leaves and flowers of herbs. Teas use one or more herbs infused in hot water. Herbs can be fresh and washed. Herbs can be dried by air or dehydrator which preserves them for longer. Typically, you would use one to two heaped teaspoons of chopped fresh herbs for one cup of hot water and for dried herbs you would use one heaped teaspoon. If you would like to gain the benefit of aromatic herbs, consider covering the pot as the tea brews to slow the evaporation of essential oils. Consider a maximum of two to three cups per day.
Decoctions consist of herbs that have been boiled in water and the water reduced by about one third of volume. Herb components may include fruit, seeds, roots, bark. Consider a maximum of two to three cups per day.
Tinctures.
Tinctures usually preserve herbs for longer periods, where the herbs are chopped and infused in alcohol or vinegar (e.g. cider vinegar). The alcohol or vinegar extracts the constituents from the herbs. For alcohol based tinctures, the stronger the alcohol the longer the tincture will last. For medicinal benefit only a small dosage is necessary such as one teaspoon. Often the tincture will have a strong flavour.
Topical Infused Oils, Creams, Salves and Balms.
For infused oils, indirect heat is used to slowly heat the constituents. Sun-infused oils are typically for flowers and make use of the sun. As the infusion takes place often the oil changes colour during the process. Hot-infused oils can be made with a double boiler or small jar in water in a slow cooker. The oil gently heats and extracts the properties from the plant.
Creams, salves and balms are made by mixing the infused oils with beeswax, shea butter and water in varying amounts.
