DRUG HERBS APPLICATIONS

Different ways to use herbs

1. Infusions
The process of steeping a substance in water to extract its soluble principles.
An infusion is the flavor that's extracted from an ingredient such as tea leaves,
herbs or fruit by steeping them in a liquid (usually hot), such as water, for tea.
Herbal infusions are potent water-based preparations. They are superb for
extracting the medicinal properties of dried herbs.
You can drink them or use them externally as skin washes, compresses, douches,
sitz baths, or poultices.

How are they different from a tea? They are made using larger amounts of herbs
and are steeped in an air-tight container for at least several hours.
You can drink them at room temperature, reheated, or over ice.
Quart size canning jars are ideal to use because they rarely break when you pour
boiling water into them as long as they are at room temperature when water is
added. They also allow for a tight seal.
Prepare an infusion by pouring 500 ml near-boiling water over 75 g
fresh herb or 30 g dried herb and let it steep for 5 minutes.
Flowers and leaves are suitable when making an infusion.
The infusion must be used the same day it is made and excess should
be discarded.

A common example of an infusion is tea. Many other drinks (for instance, socalled "herbal teas") are prepared in the same way.
Lemon, chamomile, senna, apple, ginger, rooibos, and a great many other
plants are used individually or in combination.
Herbal infusions in water and oil are both commonly used as herbal remedies.

1. Using Dried Leaves

Put 1 ounce (a large handful) of dried leaves into a quart jar and fill the jar with
boiling water.
Screw the lid on tight and let steep until completely cool.
Strain out plant material.
2. Using Dried Roots or Barks
Put 1 ounce (a large handful) of dried roots or bark into a pint jar and fill the jar with
boiling water.
Screw the lid on tight and let steep until completely cool.
Strain out plant material.

3. Using Dried Flowers

Put 1 ounce (a large handful) of dried flowers into a quart jar and fill the jar with
boiling water.
Screw the lid on tight and let steep 2 or 3 hours.
Strain out plant material.

4. Using Dried Seeds

Put 1 ounce (a large handful) of dried seeds into a pint jar and fill the jar with
boiling water.
Screw the lid on tight and let steep for 1/2 hour - no more or the taste will be
bitter.
Strain out seeds.

2. Decoctions
Decoction is a method of extraction, by boiling, of dissolved chemicals, or
herbal or plant material, which may include stems, roots, bark and rhizomes.
Decoction involves first mashing, and then boiling in water to extract oils,
volatile organic compounds, and other chemical substances.
The process can also be applied to meats and vegetables to prepare bouillon
or stock.

A decoction is also the name for the resulting liquid.

Decoctions differ from most teas, infusions, or tisanes, in that they are usually
boiled.

They are made by using 60 g of fresh herbs or 30 g of dried herbal material

and simmering it in 500 ml of water for at least 20 minutes.
Bark and root are very suitable types of material to use when making a
decoction.
The decoction must be used the same day it is made and excess should be
discarded.

3. Compresses
A compress is made by soaking a clean cloth in a herbal
infusion, decoction or a diluted tincture.

Herbal Compress
For an herbal compress you retain the plant material from an infusion and
place it in a clean cloth or piece of gauze.
Place it on desired area.
You can dip it in the liquid from your infusion if desired.
Compresses are useful for treating eye styes or when you don't want plant
material to enter open wounds.

4. Liquid extracts
These are made by using one part alcohol to one part herbal material to create
pharmaceutical grade concentrates.

5. Macerated/Infused liquid
This can be made by steeping 25 g dried herbal material in 500 ml water at
room temperature for at least 12 hours and then straining it.

6. Macerated/Infused oils
Oils can be made from herbs, using fresh or dried material.
Heat 500 ml oil over boiling water in water bath
To this oil you should add 750 g fresh, or 250 g dried herbal
material and keep it heated for 3 hours.
After cooling the plant material is strained. Take a jar and fill it with
fresh herbs and use enough of the oil to cover the material, and
then leave for 3 weeks to diffuse.

7. Ointments
They can be made by heating solid fats or petroleum jelly over boiling
water (as above with the macerated oils) and adding 60 g dried
material to 500 ml of fat/petroleum jelly.
This mixture must be warmed over the boiling water for 3 hours and
then strained and decanted into jars.

8. Poultice

This is made by making a paste from dried or fresh material (finely

chopped) and/or powdered material by mixing it in water and
heating it to a temperature where it is still bearable to apply to the
skin.
The poultice is applied to the skin without burning the skin, and
replacing when cooled down.

A poultice, also called cataplasm, is a soft moist mass, often heated and
medicated, that is spread on cloth over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed,
or painful part of the body.
It can be used on wounds such as cuts.

Herbal Poultices
For an herbal poultice you will retain the plant material from your infusion
and apply it directly to the desired area.
The liquid can be used to wash the area first if desired. This is an effective
way to treat infections or wounds.

9. Powdered herbs
Herbs can be powdered when dry, to mix with fluid when taken, but since the
taste is not always acceptable, this process is often used in the
supplement/pharmaceutical industry for making pills and capsules.

10. Syrups

These are infusions or decoctions mixed with sugar to promote a

more palatable taste. This also helps to preserve it.
It is normally created by using 500 ml fluid to 500g sugar.

11. Tisanes
These are herbal teas, and are infusions normally made from aromatic herbs
such as fennel, chamomile, peppermint etc.
They are taken without milk, but depending on personal taste, sugar or honey
may be added.

12. Tinctures

The same process is followed as when making macerated oils, but

instead of oils, a water/alcohol mix is used to extract the active
ingredients.
This is an effective way to extract the constituents.
Tinctures are stronger than infusions or decoctions and are made
by using one part material to four parts alcohol.