Herbal Preparations
Teas (Infusions)
An infusion is made from the flowers and/or leaves of fresh or dried herbs. Herbs may be whole, cut, or powdered.
Directions: Bring to a boil 1 or more cups of water and add 1 tbsp fresh herb or 1 tsp dried herb to each cup of water. Remove from heat and let steep 10-20 minutes. Strain and add honey to sweeten if desired. Never boil your herbs.
Teas (Decoctions)
A decoction is made from the bark, inner bark, or roots of trees and herbs.
Directions: Bring to a boil 1 or more cups of water. Add 2 tbsp cut-up root or bark to each cup of water. Gently boil for 5-10 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep 25-35 minutes. Strain and repeat the process with the same herbs. Add both liquids together and add honey if desired.
Herbal Enemas
An enema bag should always be included in any survival kit. Always keep one on hand in the home or when traveling.
Directions: Pour 1-2 qts of lukewarm herbal tea (Catnip, Yarrow, Horsetail, etc.) into a clean enema bag. Retain liquid as long as possible while massaging bowel area through abdomen. (Lying on a slant board is ideal). Evacuate liquid when pressure or discomfort occurs.
Fomentation (Compress)
Directions: Take a piece of natural cloth (cotton, wool, etc.) and dip into warm infusion or decoction. Wring it out just enough so it isn’t dripping. Place over desired area and secure with a piece of plastic and tape.
Poultice
Directions: A poultice can be made by heating fresh or dried herbs in water and straining, placing the herbs in a natural cloth and securing with a piece of plastic and tape over desired area. Or, a poultice can be made by chewing, bruising or chopping fresh herbs and placing them directly on skin or placing in a wet, natural cloth and securing with a piece of plastic and tape over desired area.
Bolus
A bolus is used internally as a vaginal or rectal poultice.
Directions: Mix enough powdered herb with olive oil to the consistency of bread dough. Roll into a long roll the diameter of your smallest finger. Cut into one inch lengths and freeze until ready to use. Insert one or two at night before going to bed. Rinse with douche or enema in the morning.
Tinctures (Extracts)
Tinctures are much more concentrated than teas and can be easily assimilated.
Directions: Mix 8oz of dried/cut herb, or 4oz powdered herb to 16oz (1 pint) of alcohol. Alcohol must be at least 80 proof. Vodka or Everclear brands are recommended. Age for 14 days, shaking bottle 2-4 times a day, gently mixing well. Some believe it’s best to go by the phases of the moon, starting on the new moon and ending on the full moon. After 14 days, strain and pour into amber glass bottles and cap tightly. Tinctures will keep this way indefinitely with little loss of potency. It is the ideal way to store herbs if you want them to last. If you don’t want to ingest alcohol, simply add your tincture dose to a cup of hot water. The alcohol will dissipate into the air.
Herbal Oils
Directions: Cover desired amount of fresh or dried herbs with olive oil. Keep in a warm place for 2-3 weeks or warm on low heat for 1 ½ – 2 hrs, stirring occasionally. Do Not Boil Strain and press oil from herbs. Store in refrigerator to keep from spoiling. Add vegetable glycerine to keep for longer periods.
Ointment
Directions: Cover desired amount of herbs with olive oil (tallow or lanolin can be used if you don’t mind using animal products). Gently warm on low heat for 1 ½ – 2 hrs, stirring occasionally. Strain and add melted beeswax to reach desired consistency (1 tbsp beeswax to 1oz Olive oil). An ointment of coconut oil or coca butter can be made simply by heating herbs in melted oil and straining. This ointment must be kept cool (Not exceeding 80ºF) or it will melt.
Herbal baths
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It eliminates at least 2lbs of toxins a day. Therefore it is an extremely important organ for eliminating wastes and toxins from the body and promoting good health. Herbal baths help to open up skin pores and promote perspiration which assists the body during fevers, eliminating heavy metals and poisons from the body.
Directions: Before bathing, brush skin with a natural bristle brush or loofah sponge. Drink herbal teas (Catnip, Yarrow, Nettle) while bathing.
Ginger bath: Add 2-4 tbsp powdered Ginger to warm bath water. Use for fevers, colds/flu, sore muscles, or whatever ails you.
Herbal Sitz bath: Soak 4-8oz of dried herbs (Nettle, Yarrow, Horsetail, etc.) or a gallon-size container full of fresh herbs in cold water for at least 12 hrs. Heat up without boiling. Strain and add to bath water. (Soak in it for 20-30 minutes) This is great for pregnant mothers and to speed recovery in any illness.
Mineral bath: (For radiation or heavy metal poisoning) Add 2lbs Epsom salt to hot bath water. Soak for 1 hr and then drain. Add 2lbs baking soda to hot bath water and soak for 1 hr. Drink Bugleweed/Yellow Dock Combination and Yarrow teas while in the bath.
Herbal Foot bath: Same as Herbal baths but use half as much herbs.
* Use fresh herbs whenever possible as they have more strength than dried herbs.