For Infusions use freshly boiled water when you brew your tea. Do not add your herbs to boiling water immediately. Remove the water from the heat first then add the herbs. For a large infusion you will need one ounce of dried herbs to every two cups of water and two ounces of fresh herbs per two cups of water. When you are making a single serving infusion pour eight ounces of water over one teaspoon of dried herb or one tablespoon of fresh herb. Steep your tea for about ten minutes covered in order to avoid losing the volatile properties.
You may sttep the herbs from fifteen minutes up to several hours depending on the type of herb you use and how strong an infusion you want. Always check to see if you can smell the aroma. You may add honey or a natural sweetner to improve the taste of certain bitter herbs.
Decoctions
Roots bark and other woody parts of the plant is necessary to use the decotion method in order to brew a tea. This means that these coarse parts of the plants require a higher heat than the infusion method. To start, use bottled or distilled water along with one ounce of dried herbs along with each pint of water. In a medium size stainless steel pot add the herbs to boiling water. Simmer the herbs at just below boiling for 30 minutes. After cooling strain off the herbs and refrigerate the liquid. A natural sweetner may be added to some decoctions that are bitter in taste. This brew will keep in the refrigerator for about three days. Remember decoctions are the basis for tonics and syrups. You will add this concentrated herbal brew to soda water or sugar syrup to make effective remedies for common ailments.
Compress (or poultice)
A cloth soaked in a bowl of hot or cold herbal extracts is known as a compress. Almost any herbs can be applied to a compress if you will be treating the problem locally. The common uses for a compress are strains, joint and muscle pain and skin rashes.
Steam Inhalation
While this one is self explanatory, essential oils can be added to the hot water in addition to the infusion of herbs. You will want to inhale the steam slowly (and deeply) for a few minutes. This remedy is useful for stressed or inflamed lungs.
Tincture
In order to make a tincture you will need to put 4 and 1/2 cups of fresh herbs or 1 and 3/4 cups of dried herbs in a jar with 2 and 1/4 cups of Vodka. The Vodka acts as a preservative for the tincture. Tinctures can be taken undiluted or with water, they can be added to compresses or teas and put into baths. A tincture may also be used to make ointment when mixed with beeswax or cocoa butter.
In order to make the tincture you will need to Pour 2 and 1/4 cups of hot water on the herbs. Cover the pot for about 10 minutes while the herbs infuse and then strain the infusion through a plastic tea strainer. You can keep the pitcher refrigerated for up to 48 hours and cupfuls may be consumed with a little honey or refined unrefined sugar.
Choosing Herbs
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN
This list examines some of the properties of common herbal teas. You can easily make a start by mixing some of the herbs from this list for your teas.
Catnip:
Catnip leaves brewed as a tea are useful as a sedative and as a digestive aid. It blends well with chamomile is good for bringing on sleep and calming nerves. Catnip is helpful for sufferers of nausea or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) because it has antispasmodic properties that calm the digestive system. You will want to use caution when using this herb as a tea as excessive amounts will cause nausea. Pregnant women will want to avoid catnip as it can stimulate uterine contractions.
German Chamomile:
The flowering tops of the chamomile plant have an apple-like aroma that tastes delightful as a tea. German Chamomile is used for its calming, soothing, digestive, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. This herb is extremely versatile and is good for anxiety, tension, insomnia, and restless. Chamomile tea may also be used for overexcited children, fevers and teething babies. While you will always want to consult your physician as indicated at the beginning of this section Chamomile is generally regarded as safe for colicky babies. You will want to avoid Chamomile if you have allergies due to ragweed. This herb is closely related to asters, ragweed, and chrysanthemums. Be very careful of an allergic reaction if you use Chamomile.
Dandelion:
Many parts of the dandelion can be used in making tea. The leaves, flowers and roots of the dandelion can be used for tea and all parts of the plant are good as a liver tonic acting as a diurectic and promoting digestion. Dandelion and helps increase the production of bile, saliva and gastric juices. You can use the roots and leaves to make an excellent tonic for sluggish systems, especially after a long or particularly cold winter. If you have gall bladder disease you should not use dandelion root preparations unless you are under the direct supervision of a physician. If your lawn is treated chemically DO NOT harvest the dandelions from your lawn. Wines and jellies are made out of the flowers. Young leaves can be blanced and used in salads or dried for use in tea form. Dandelion leaves have a very high nutritional value. The root can be dried, ground, and brewed as a coffee substitute.
Lemon Balm:
Lemon Balm leaves have several uses and are perfectly safe for everyday use. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for a tea and they can be added to your bath for an uplifting effect. This herb is also useful in the relief of nervous, digestive and heart disorders as well as sleep promotion. When you can crush a fresh leaf of the herb between your fingers it will produce a refreshing lemon-mint scent. The tea contains flavinoids which strenghtens the heart and circulatory system. The bitter constituents and tannin of the tea are what soothes nausea, diarrhea and flatulence. While lemon balm is most useful if you grow your own it can be purchased in dried form from catalogs and herb shops. Iced tea is made by crushing the leaves and adding them to hot water during the brewing process.
Peppermint:
There are over twenty species of peppermint. True peppermint is a variety of herb called Metha piperita. Peppermint is very good for nausea, vomiting, flatulence, stomach spasms and digestive problems. The active agents of menthol, B vitamins, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid aid with the previously mentioned symptoms. When combined with lemon balm, peppermint tea can help calm nerves. However peppermint is not recommended in large doses for pregnant women, or people who suffer from heartburn or stomach problems due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Do not give peppermint to infants and small children because they can have an adverse reaction to the menthol. Fresh peppermint leaves are best whenever possible.
Raspberry:
"Woman's herb" as raspberry leaf tea is oftern called is recommend as a drink for pregnant women in their third trimester. It has been said that this tea will tone the uterus and strengthen the pelvic and uterine muscles while helping to ease birthing pains and slowing the flow of blood. Pregnant women should avoid this tea early in the pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage. This tea can also act as an effective anti-diarrhea and anti-inflammatory medicine. Raspberry is packed with lots of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and Vitamin C. Please note this is not a raspberry flavored tea- the leaves of the rasberry bush are used in making the tea.
Strawberry:
Strawberry tea is made by using the roots, leaves and actual strawberries. Strawberry tea is very effective in bringing on menstral cycles. Women may choose to drink up to three hot cups a day to help induce late or abnormally light menstral bleeding. Do not drink more than three cups or the result could be very heavy bleeding. In the event that this occurs, raspberry tea may help slow the flow of the blood. While fresh strawberries are always best you would not want to use berries that have been sprayed with chemicals. This tea is a very good source of potassium, sulfur and calcium. Please note this is not a strawberry flavored tea- though a hint of berry will be present from the leaves and natural flavorings.
Herbal Remedies
Following you will find some instructions for making common home remedies.
For Burns:
Applying plain yogurt to the burn will keep it cool. You may also apply a soothing compress with honey, yogurt and crushed elderberries.
You can also mash the leaves of the elder with a little butter and use it as a mild cream for the affected area.
The pulp of a mashed cucumber combined with glycerine makes a particularly wonderful moisturizing balm.
Lemon Balm tea will both calm the patient and provide pain relief.
For Scalds:
Olive oil will improve the chances of healing without blisters or scars. This oil can also bring immediate relief from any scalds.
You can also add the essential oil of lavendar or peppermint to olive oil in order to ease the sting.
For Sunburn:
Lemon juice will provide instant relief.
You can also soak a shirt, towel, flannel, etc. in cold tea and place it over the affected area.
Adding a tablespoon or two of baking soda to a cool bath and immerse your whole body in the water before bed if you have a burn over your entire body this should help with sleep.
For a facial burn, bathe your face in buttermilk or grate up some potatoes and apply them to your face. The starch will cool and soothe the burn.
Cold peppermint tea can also be used as a soothing wash for a facial sunburn.
For Chapped Skin:
Fill a cheesecloth bag with oats (tie the top) and drop it in a cool (or warm) bath. Squeeze it out and rub it over the chapped area throughout the day to ease the pain.
For Bee Stings:
For those individuals with allergies to bees this remedy is not for you
If you are not allergic to bees: you will need to be certain that the stinger is removed from the site of the sting. To do so, grasp the stinger below the poison sac and remove it from the skin.
After you have removed the stinger with tweezers you will apply a paste of baking soda and cold water to the sting.
For Wasp Stings:
For those individuals with allergies to bees this remedy is not for you
As above you will need to be certain that the stinger is removed from the site of the sting.
Cider vinegar and lemon will help stop the irritation and itching.
If you have the misfortune of swallowing a wasp- drink a glass of cold water mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
If you get stung in the mouth- suck on ice cubes to numb the pain.
Cider vinegar and baking soda can be added to a compress or mixed to a paste and placed directly on the sting to relieve pain.
A cold wet tea bag will also make a soothing compress to place on the sting site.
Remedies for Mosquito Bites:
Honey and baking soda mixed together can help the itchiness around the bite.
Rubbing the rind of a lemon on the bite will also help stop the itch.
To keep mosquitos away, sprinkle dried lavendar along your window sills. The smell of lavendar instantly repels mosquitos- wearing this fragrance will repel them.
You can also tie together a bundle of lavendar, peppermint and catnip to burn in a jar while outdoors.
