HOMESTEADING 101 : HOW TO PREPARE HERBS

Hi Steemians today I'm gonna share some tips about homesteading : how to prepare herbs. I actually read this things in our old book and thought it would be best to share some know- ledge from it that might help a lot of people looking or searching for it. In this post you will read different approaches for different herbs as well. Without further ado here are some tips or tut for you to know and it would be best to share it to others as well.

- INFUSION (steeping)

One pint boiling water is poured over 1 ounze dried herb. Cover it with a tight fitting lid, so steam will not escape. Let it stand (steep) 20 minutes. Strain off the clear liquid. Immediately use or keep in the refrigerator a short time till used. Average dose: 1 tablespoon of the herb per teacup. Take 3 times a day. An infusion is used when the volatile oils in the herbs are needed, as in peppermint and spearmint, or when the herb is composed of flowers or leaves. A "sun tea" is made in this way: Put the 1 ounce of dried herb and a pint of water into a large glass jar. Place this in the sun for 2-4 hours; and the heat from the sun will extract the herb into the liquid.

- DECOCTION (boiling)

Place 1 oz. dried herb (or 2 oz. fresh herb) in 1 1/2 pints of cold water. Boil for 20-30 minutes (or longer if roots are very hard). Strain off the clear liquid. Here is an alternative method (which requires more time). Take 1 oz. dry herb or 2 oz. fresh herb (pulverize for best results), soak for 3-12 hours in 1 1/2 pints of cool water. Then simmer in warm water for 30 minutes. Strain liquid into a clean container. Allow to settle and cool slightly. Drink liquid while still warm.

Average dose: 1 tablespoon to 1 ounce water. Take 3 times a day. In order to extract the deeper healing qualities of stems, roots and barks, the herbs must be simmered for 15-25 minutes. Many times it is left uncovered duringb the simmering, to evaporate some of the water.

Infusions and decoctions require a brief period of time for their preaparation; both must be used before they sour or growth of the undesirable materials starts (usually within 24-72 hours).

- TINCTURE & FLUID EXTRACTS

1-2 oz. dried herbs are steeped in 1 pint cold grain alcohol ( brandy or vodka ) for 2 days. During that time, vigorously shake it 3 times a day. Then strain and store for use. Average dose: One tablespoon clear liquid, taken 3 times a day. Advantage: The herb or herbal copound ( several herbs mixed together ) are ready for instant use whenever needed, with no aging problems. Disadvantage: You will be drinking alcohol. Fluid extracts, this is a tincture which may be as much as 5 times more concentrated.

- CONCENTRATED HERBS

These are relatively new products on the market. Some herbs need to be taken in larger doses to be effective. For those who take many capsules of an herb daily, using concentrated herbs is a great help. The concentration is often 4-6 times that of the original herb. Concentrated herbs are taken one step further than herbal extracts; they are freeze-dried to remove the moisture content. The result is a solvent-free product - with no added alcohol!. This powder has all the nutrients in the form that will digest quickly in the blood-stream. They work quickly for the relief of pain.

IMAGE SOURCE : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia Heritage Edition

You can also read my previous articles:

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF FLOWERS (PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE)| PLUS OUR GARDEN's FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY