There are many gentle herbal remedies that herbalists believe have the power to relieve common ailments. These have been handed down from generation to generation or recorded in herbals (textbooks or guides to herbal medicine) for general references.
It is important to remember that such remedies should never be used without the recommendation of a doctor. However, many people claim to find unexpected relief through these time-honored “healing recipes”.
Herbal remedies come in a variety of forms. They include decoctions (strong teas made from roots or bark, usually in the ratio of one tablespoon of herb to one cup of boiling water);
Infusions (teas fashioned from leaves and flowers, usually in a ratio of one teaspoon of herb to one cup of boiling water); extractions (concentrates of herbs dissolved in any one of several fluids, including alcohol, water, or apple cider vinegar); and powdered form for use in poultices. (A poultice is a hot, moist herb pack, in which crushed herbs are mixed with hot mineral water to a muddy consistency, then spread on a clean cloth and applied to the affected area.)
Most herbal remedies are available, with instructions on how to use them, at your health-food store or local herbalist.
