Herbal "How To"

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
July 31, 2000

      Many articles and books about herbs contain references to tinctures, infusions, decoctions, oils, and essential oils. When I first became interested in herbal lore, I had no idea what these things were, how to make them, or what the differences were. So of course, I bought a book! I thought it prudent to share this information with all of you, because if you don't know how to make the infusion, how can you prepare the remedy?

Tinctures
      Tinctures are easy to make and have an excellent shelf life (some say years!). Tinctures are made by soaking fresh or dried herbs in a base of grain alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin. If you choose alcohol, be sure that it is safe to drink. Rubbing alcohol, for instance is not; do not use it in your herbal preparations.
      To make alcohol or vinegar-based tinctures, fill a clean pint jar with fresh herbs and cover with 190-proof grain alcohol, 100-proof vodka or vinegar. Cap with a plastic lid or a new, un-damaged canning-jar lid and shake for ten minutes. Shake once a day thereafter for four weeks. Store in a cool, dark place. Check the tincture after one week and add more alcohol or vinegar if needed to keep the plants entirely submerged. After four weeks, strain and press the liquid through a fine-weave cotton cloth. Discard the plants and store the tincture in dark glass.
      For dry herbs, pulverize 1/2 cup and place in a clean pint jar. Pour 2 cups of alcohol or vinegar over them. Follow the same storage and shaking procedures as for the fresh-herb tinctures.
      Making liquid-glycerin tinctures for soap is equally easy, and it makes perfect sense because glycerin enhances soap's overall feel and performance. Though liquid glycerin will not extract resins from herbs the way alcohol or vinegar does, it does extract other soothing elements such as the mucilage found in comfrey leaf and root. Liquid glycerin is available from the pharmacy.
      If you're using dry herbs, place 1/2 cup pulverized herbs in a clean pint jar. Mix together 1& 1/2 cups glycerin and 1/2 cup sterilized water and add to the jar. Shake and store as described above.

Decoctions
      Decoctions are strong teas made by simmering the woody parts of the plants, such as the root, seed, nut, bark, and grains. The process captures the desired qualities of certain plants and imparts them to your herbal preparations. Begin your decoction by placing about 1/2 cup of plant material in a quart of water. Soak the herbs for several hours, then simmer for half an hour. Strain and store the liquid in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Infusions
      Infusions are delicate teas made by pouring hot, steamy water fresh or dried plant parts. Three tbsp. of dried or fresh herb per cup of water, steeped 10 min., will suffice; non-chlorinated water is best.

Herbal Oils
      Herbal oils are made by soaking the fresh or dried herb in organic olive oil for a period of two weeks.The enhanced oil that results can be added to your herbal preparations.

Essential Oils
      Essential oils are made by either a distillation or mechanical extraction process. The equipment and knowledge of chemistry necessary to produce essential oils is outside of most ordinary folks budget and learning, myself included. High-quality essential oils are becoming more readily available in your local grocery store, as well as through a natural health store.

This article has been previously published at Suite101.com.

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Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D