Making Herb Oils and Preparations
Make an Herbal Oil, Tincture, Poultice, or Ointment
You can store and use herbs many different ways. Learn how to make herbal tinctures, poultices, infusions, and ointments.
Herbs are very versatile, and there are number of methods for preparing them that will extend their usefulness. Tinctures, fusions, poultices, oils, and ointments are all preparations that have their own specific uses, and can extend the life and effectiveness of your herbs.
These are the methods of preparing herbs that your grandmother used to create home remedies. They are the forerunners of the commercial preparations you see in department stores to treat colds, flu, skin ailments and infection. Many useful mixtures can be created in your home at a fraction of the cost of their commercial counterparts, and they use all natural and safe ingredients that aren't cut with fillers or chemicals to extend their shelf life.
How to Make Herbal Tinctures
Commonly known as extracts or essences, tinctures are herbal liquid with an alcohol base. Typically a glass jar is filled with herbs and then enough alcohol is poured over them to cover them completely. The herbs are then sealed and left in a warm, dark place for at least a couple of weeks. The jar is shaken occasionally, and after curing, the liquid is strained and the herbs discarded.
Tinctures are taken internally, applied externally, made into compresses, or used as cologne.
How to Make Herbal Infusions
Tea is an excellent example of an infusion. Fresh or dried herbs are placed in a pot and then covered with boiling water and steeped. Herbs that lose their effectiveness when boiled can be used in cold infusions by steeping the plant in cold water overnight. The sun can also be used to make infusions. Place a sealed jar of water filled with herbs in the sun for a few hours for a relaxing or medicinal beverage.
How to Make Herbal Oils
Herbs, flowers, or spices are loosely placed in a glass bottle and covered with good quality oil and then sealed. The bottles are left to cure for at least two weeks in a warm, dark place. There have been reports of problems with salmonella when using fresh garlic and oil preparations, so if you are preparing garlic infused oil, only make small batches, and keep them refrigerated.
How to Make Herb Poultices
Steaming herbs until they are soft and pliable, and then wrapping them in woven cloth and applying them to the body is a time honored way of treating sprains, bruises, and bug bites. Poultices are usually applied for a couple of hours and then removed or reapplied with newly prepared herbs.
How to Make Herbal Ointments
Ointments are generally made from chopped or shredded herbs that have been cooked in hot oil to which wax has been added. Herbs are added to quality oil, and then brought to a boil. The oil is boiled until all the water in the herbs has evaporated and the oil has ceased bubbling. While the oil is still hot, wax is added. (The ratios are about 2¼ cups of oil to one ounce of wax.) The mixture is then allowed to cool overnight, reheated, and then strained.
Herbs have been used for centuries to treat illness, season food, and provide fragrance. There are more ways of preserving your herbs than just drying them, and learning some of these other methods will help you derive the full benefit from these important and interesting plants. The herb compounds you create can be used as a base for bath salts, soaps, candles, salad dressings, air fresheners, cosmetics, and many other natural homemade products.
