HERBOLOGY
AT HOME
MAKING
HERBAL REMEDIES
Natural
Health For The Whole Family
Simple Formulas For Making Your Own
Remedies
by
Anke Bialas
Smashwords Edition
Published
by Natator Publishing
Copyright © 2010 Anke Bialas
ISBN 978-0-9807668-1-3
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
~~***~~
This book is intended as an educational reference guide only, not a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your medical professional. The author takes no responsibility for the misinterpretation and deliberate or accidental misuse of the information presented in this book, on the website and on any published Herbology material.
~~***~~
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
~~***~~
In loving memory of my father
Dieter Bialas
~~***~~
CONTENTS
Introduction
PART
1 – HERBAL WISDOM
Everyone Can Benefit from Herbs
Making Remedies is Easy
Before You Make Remedies
Cautions & Considerations
Giving Herbal Remedies to Children
PART 2 – INTERNAL REMEDIES
The Perfect Brew
Infusions
Decoctions
Infusion/Decoction Mix
Tinctures
Non Alcohol Based Tinctures
Syrups
Capsules
Internal First Aid Remedies
Food As Medicine
PART 3 – EXTERNAL REMEDIES
Infused Oils
Massage Oils
Creams
Ointments
Poultices & Compresses
External First Aid Remedies
PART 4 – USEFUL INFORMATION
Living Herbally
Conversion Table
A Guide to Oils
Bibliography
~~***~~
To take medicine only when you are sick,
is like digging a well only when you are thirsty
– is it not already too late?
Qibo, physician to the Yellow Emperor, c. 2500BC
~~***~~
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the amazing world of Herbology, you are in for a wonderful journey. The use of herbs for medicinal purposes has been around for thousands of years. There are many terms like herbal medicine, botanical medicine and herbalism which all describe the same thing. However, I draw a distinction between herbology and herbalism. Sure, both deal with herbal medicine but to me, and for the purpose of this book, herbology is an amateur interest whereas herbalism is a professional pursuit. Now, just because I said “amateur” does not mean that it is in any way less effective or less important. What it does represent is a continuation of an ancient tradition whereby herb lore is practiced by everyday people in everyday situations.
My own philosophy on natural therapies, and in particular herbal medicine, is that it is so easy and so incredibly good for you, that I do not understand why herb lore is no longer passed through the generations like it was in days gone by. Of course I was very lucky, growing up in Germany I had family take me out on wildcrafting adventures and introduce herbal remedies when I was very young. I recognize that this is not the way people are raised in general and that they may need some more help to realize their dream of natural health.
Often you will come across some very good advice regarding which herbs may be useful in a particular remedy but there will be no mention of quantities or method. I have been guilty of doing the same on Herbology.com.au where I might suggest instructions such as “make an infusion of elderflowers, nettles and peppermint”. Of course not everyone will be familiar with the standard formulas employed in making an infusion, which is the very reason I put together this reference guide.
Herbology At Home provides you with quantities and methods for most herbal remedies you might wish to make yourself. Naturally you may come across exceptions to the standard formulas in other books, but you will find that on those occasions the author will specify the particular details for their recipe. Over time you may wish to alter the general formulas found in this book to better meet your own personal needs. With experience you will become more insightful of the healing properties of herbs and how best to extract them.
As always I have to make clear that this book is designed for educational purposes and does in no way represent a substitute for professional medical advice. Herbal medicine is a fantastic way to treat and prevent illness and making your own herbal remedies is incredibly rewarding. Herbal medicine can be utilised in perfect harmony with Western Medicine. Please look after your health wisely and responsibly.
Stay
Herbal!
AnkeB
~~***~~
PART 1 - HERBAL WISDOM
EVERYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM HERBS
There is a strong movement towards the use of herbal preparations instead of the never ending supply of store bought, synthetic alternatives. Many people think that by using natural products they are eliminating chemicals from their lives. The word chemical has become such a negative word when in fact all herbs contain thousands of chemicals. And it’s the natural combination of these chemicals that provide the health benefits you get from your selected herbal medicine.
A herbal remedy is much more likely to help with a broader spectrum of related problems than synthetically derived drugs which target one particular issue. Diagnosis is rarely 100% correct and this is where herbal medicine can help your cells maintain a state of optimal balance. Not only do herbs provide medicinal help, they also provide nutrients essential for a healthy life. Many herbs contain natural ingredients that cannot be found in synthetic pharmaceuticals.
Today, more and more people are rediscovering the healing powers of herbs. They do however have to realize that although herbs are effective healers of many medical problems, there is much that herbs cannot do. Herbs cannot substitute medical science, especially in life threatening situations. Even though there are some things that herbal medicine cannot do, ALL people can benefit from using herbal remedies at home.
Making your own remedies will cost you far less than synthetic pharmaceuticals, and you can avoid a lot of the unwanted extras, such as preservatives, stabilizers and colorants that are found in many products sold in natural food stores. Living in a litigious world, commercial manufacturers tend to use a lot of fixatives and preservatives, because they are concerned that someone might sue them for a spoiled product. What they don’t tell you is that many herbs contain their own natural preservatives (and beeswax is a great natural preservative as well).
When used correctly, herbal remedies can help infants, toddlers, school kids, teenagers, men and women of all ages, your pets, your garden and your general household. You probably already have everything necessary to transform your kitchen into a herbal laboratory. What you need now is a guiding hand to help you start.
MAKING YOUR OWN REMEDIES IS EASY
You may think that making your own remedies is an awful lot of work. After all, you could just pop down to the health food store or pharmacy and pick up an already made product. However, here are a few reasons why you might prefer to make your own.
Fresh is best. You bought the ingredients (maybe you even grew them yourself) and you made the preparation, so you know it is quality and it is fresh. Home remedies are usually cheaper and there is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from making remedies which contribute to the wellbeing of your family and friends. Home remedies are no more complicated than making tea or cooking a basic meal. Most kitchens already have all the basic equipment you will need.
Making remedies is fun. There are a few different methods for making remedies, the major ones are infusions and decoctions and tinctures. Infusions and decoctions are water-based extractions that can be used in teas, gargles, washes, and syrups. Tinctures are spirit based extractions using wine, alcohol or vinegar. Oil Infusions are oil extractions used in making ointments and creams, bath and body oils, liniments and salves. All these methods require standard equipment which is readily available in most homes.
Never use aluminum utensils, as this potentially toxic element is easily absorbed by herbs.
Some of the equipment you might need includes:
Pots and pans (stainless steel, enamel or glass), wooden or steel utensils (knives and spatulas),sieves, muslin or loose weave cotton cloths, kitchen scales, mortar and pestle, funnel, a selection of jars and bottles, both clear and colored and some labels for identification.
BEFORE YOU MAKE HERBAL REMEDIES
MAKE SURE THE HERB YOU HAVE IS THE HERB YOU WANT - This book deals with Western Herbal Medicine and although you may not wish to pop out into the woods to wildcraft your own herbs right now, you may wish to do so at another time. Wildcrafting is a term you may have already come across, it means collecting plants in the wild. In case you are a reader who has the opportunity to collect their herbs in the wild it is essential that you are able to identify the plants correctly. If there is any doubt at all leave it where it is. Many times poisoning has occurred due to the misidentification of plants. Better safe than sorry. Also, when collecting in the wild you should be aware of chemicals that have been used in the area which may have settled on your plants. Lastly, please leave endangered species alone. We are trying to preserve the old ways not extinguish the natural resources necessary to do so.
MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS CLEAN - Sterilize all utensils. You can boil some for 15 minutes or you can sterilize in the oven. Also handy is a sanitizing solution which is used to sterilize baby bottles. All you do is keep the equipment in the sterilizing liquid for 30 mins, then rinse with boiled water. It is important to maintain hygiene to prevent the remedies, especially creams and syrups, from turning mouldy.
STORE PREPARATIONS CORRECTLY – Different preparations have different life expectancies before they lose their medicinal properties. Infusions should be made fresh every day. Decoctions can be kept up to 48 hours in the fridge. Tinctures, syrups and essential oils can last for months and even years if stored in dark glass bottles and kept in a cool place away from the sunlight. Ointments, creams and capsules are best kept in dark glass jars, but you can use plastic containers. Sometimes fresh creams need to be stored in the fridge if you wish them to last longer.
CAUTIONS & CONSIDERATIONS
It would be pretty irresponsible to start taking herbs with little or no knowledge of herbal remedial treatments. By not taking the time to consider all the factors and seek advice you could be putting your health at serious risk.
For instance, women who are pregnant should be careful of the herbs they take because their baby may not be strong enough or sufficiently formed to handle the effects of such a nutrient and this can put the health of the baby and in fact the pregnancy in danger.
When compared to the synthetic medications your doctor may prescribe for you, herbal medications usually do have fewer side effects, if any at all, but again this reaction has to do with the individual person taking the herbs. For example one person may drink herbal tea with mint in it and have no problems at all whereas another person may do the same and develop a skin rash.
It is these risk factors which make it important to educate yourself before you decide to take herbs of any form and then you should test the herb for a few days at a diluted dosage before using it at its full concentration so that any adverse effects are mild rather than severe.
People who are diabetic should not be taking certain herbs; some herbs should not be taken when on certain medications and sometimes the combining of certain herbs will achieve a negative result. There are many rules which people neglect to learn before they jump into the herbal world with both feet. Take the time to do the research, find a reputable source of information you can trust, and learn what you can about herbal remedies so you can use them safely and without regret. It is your health; take the time to learn so you can take responsibility for it.
GIVING HERBAL REMEDIES TO CHILDREN
When it comes to children, many parents are worried about giving too many synthetic, doctor prescribed medications for minor illnesses. Often there is this nagging feeling that the medication is going to harm their children by being too strong for their bodies. Because of this fear there are a lot of parents who now choose to use herbal options when treating their children for minor ailments.
A proper and balanced intake of herbs is great for children and their growing bodies. Even if they need repeated medications at least herbs can be used to keep their general wellbeing at an optimum. Giving your child herbs on a regular basis will naturally boost their immune systems and help prevent future illnesses.
An example of children’s remedies to ward off getting sick during the flu season is to prepare the body with elderberry syrup (p. 55). Traditional and scientific research indicates that elderberries promote disease resistance and also the ability to prevent and even treat a virus. Elderberries have been used for centuries in the treatment of colds, viral infections and upper respiratory conditions including asthma. If your child already shows signs of a cold, you can still use the syrup or you might wish to administer a herbal tea made from elderflowers which helps reduce fevers and fights the build up of mucus. There are a number of herbal teas you can use to treat fevers, chills, aches and pains and practically any common cold symptoms.
Herbal teas are the safest way to treat your child with herbal remedies. Generally the taste is well liked and unlike some of the synthetic medications around today there are no bright artificial colorings or synthetic flavors. There are also syrups which make some of the less tasty remedies more palatable for the youngsters. On a whole I like to locate recipes for children’s remedies which are pleasant tasting so I do not have to chase my kids around the house just to take their cough syrup.
Many of the formulas provided can be used for children as well as adults, but you must remember to reduce the dosage accordingly. There are several different formulas used when calculating child dosage. I prefer to use Clark’s Rule as it goes by the child’s weight, not age. This rule, in which the average adult is assumed to weigh 68kg, allows you to convert adult formulas to suit your child’s weight. This means that if the suggested dosage for an adult is one cup of herbal tea and your child weighs 22.6 kg, you would give him or her one third of a cup. Likewise, 30 drops of tincture to treat a sick adult would reduce to 10 drops for the same child. A 7kg baby would get one tenth of a cup of tea or three drops of tincture. Please bear in mind that tinctures contain alcohol and are much stronger than teas. You will only need to add a couple of drops to water or juice to have a powerful children's remedy.
Clark’s Rule: Based on an adult dose of 1 x 200ml cup of tea
Child's Dose = (Weight of Child (in kilograms) / 68 kilograms) x Adult Dose e.g. 17kg child ÷ 68 x 200 = 50ml
WEIGHT -- > DOSAGE
2.5kg – 9kg -- >7ml - 27ml
10kg – 15kg -- >30ml - 45ml
16kg – 30kg -- > 47ml – 90ml
30kg – 40kg -- > 90ml – 120ml
40kg – 50kg -- > 120ml – 150ml
CAUTION: Clark’s Rule cannot be applied to all herbal remedies, some are simply too strong to give to any child, no matter how small the dose is.
It's always a great idea to check with a qualified herbalist first to see which herbs are safe for your children's conditions.
NOTE: For those of you from non metric countries, there is a conversion table of metric/imperial measurements in the back of this book.
~~***~~
PART 2 - INTERNAL REMEDIES
THE PERFECT BREW
As most of you will start of using herbal remedies in the form of herbal tea I thought I would write directions for what I consider the perfect pot of tea.
Warm your teapot or cup – this maintains the temperature once you add the water. It makes a lot of difference for very little effort. I like using glass or pottery. Of course you can dig out the good china too. If using metal, there are some great cast iron pots or stainless steel pots when making decoctions.
Do not over boil the water – it drains the water of oxygen. Water temperature: Use water just below boiling point – as low as 70C is perfect for fine aerial parts of the plant. If you are using a kettle, the water is ideal when it starts to make a “rumbling” sound.
Brewing time – adjust your brewing time depending on what herb you are using. Some teas can become quite bitter if left to infuse too long. Others can withstand a number of brews. As a rule of thumb use a standard of 10 – 15 minutes to infuse your herbs. You need enough time to release the active ingredients but not so much to make it too strong and unpleasant.
Sweetening herbal tea – if you like a sweeter tea you can certainly use some honey to improve the flavor. I personally use a bit of sugar as honey adds another flavor dimension which may not always be what you want. However, I would not recommend adding milk.
If you are planning to use herbs to make your own remedies at home then you will likely encounter the process of both infusions and decoctions. Infusions and decoctions are time honored methods of delivering the health benefits of herbs.
~~***~~
For a relaxing tea blend try:
Equal parts lemon balm leaves, chamomile flowers, linden flowers. Mix herbs and store away from light. When ready to use just follow the method given for herbal tea.
~~***~~
To treat indigestion & heartburn:
Try an infusion made with 10g fennel seeds, 13 g dried lemon balm leaves and 2g dried cinnamon bark (can be powdered). Use the hot infusion method, then strain and store. Take 1 cup after meals.
~~***~~
INFUSIONS
Herbal tea or tisanes are infusions - however a medicinal infusion is a lot stronger than a cup of herbal tea, therefore more of the herb material is needed.
Infusions are made of leaves, flowers, soft seeds and green stems. If the herb is particularly fragile you may wish to do a cold infusion. However, since this takes a long time, this method is usually reserved for the most delicate of herbs which lose their essential oils when heated.
Herbal Tea - 1 tsp of dried herb for every cup of almost boiling water. Cover and let infuse for approximately 10 minutes.
Hot Infusion - 25g dried herb for every 500 ml of almost boiling water. Cover and let infuse for up to 30 minutes. This formula works on a standard dosage of 3 times daily and makes approximately 3 doses.
Cold Infusion – Same basic ratio as for hot infusion applies, except you soak herbs in cold water for 8 hours or overnight.
DECOCTIONS
Decoctions require simmering for a long time, opposed to steeping in boiled water like infusions. This means that the materials used in the tea must be crushed beforehand and cut into small pieces suitable for simmering temperatures. This method is just as simple as infusing as it only consists of a few simple steps.
Decoction - 30g herb to 750ml cold water which reduces down to approx 500ml. Bring up to heat and simmer gently for up to 30 minutes.
This formula works on a standard dosage and makes approximately 3 doses. Decoctions should be made fresh each day and should be stored in the fridge. It may be sweetened and can be drunk hot or cold.
If you are using unusually hard roots then you may want to increase the simmering time until the roots begin to soften. If using fresh plant material double the quantity to dried. During this entire process you need to keep the saucepan covered to ensure the important oils and nutrients do not evaporate away. Strain before drinking.
~~***~~
Try this remedy for constipation -
10g dandelion root, 5g yellow dock root, 5g liquorice root, 5g anise seeds. Use the decoction method, strain, cover and store in a cool place. Take a small glassful 3 times a day.
~~***~~
In Chinese Herbal Medicine decoctions are boiled vigorously for a much longer time until it is a very concentrated, sludgy tea.
INFUSION/DECOCTION MIX
If your recipe calls for ingredients that include soft and hard plant material it may be useful to combine the two methods.
Infusion/Decoction Mix - Firstly you add the bark, berries or roots to a saucepan with 750ml cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. The water should have reduced to about 500ml. In a heat proof bowl have your soft herbs already mixed and ready. Strain the hot decoction over the soft herbs and leave this to infuse for 10 – 15 minutes.
Strain the mixture, bottle and store in a cool place.
This formula works on a standard dosage and makes approx 3 doses.
TINCTURES
A tincture is one of the most useful and versatile extracting methods. The standard method of tincture which has been used for many centuries involves using an alcohol base, usually vodka as this has very little taste, to extract the herb’s nutrients and healing properties.
Tinctures can be added to water which may then be used for tea or to create an ointment or salve and basically can be used for any form of herbal treatments as long as the tincture was done correctly.
Tinctures are stronger than water based extractions like infusions or decoctions, as some of the active ingredients in the plant may not be water soluble but will dissolve in alcohol.
Tincture - 200g dried herb to 1 liter of vodka
Chop herbs finely, then place into a glass jar. Do not pack them tightly or else the vodka won’t be able to get to it all. Add vodka to the herbs. If the vodka does not cover all the plant material add some more until it is all completely submerged.
Put a tight lid on the jar and store for 2 weeks at room temperature. A dark shelf is fine, since tincture does not need light to process. Shake the contents once or twice a day to redistribute the herbs in the alcohol. If you are using powdered herbs, stir them with a spoon every day to keep them from clumping together.
Strain the herb pulp through a coffee filter or some muslin/cheesecloth. I like using two layers of muslin. Squeeze out all of the tincture and discard the left over pulp. Funnel into a sterilized, dark glass bottle. Label and store in a cool, dark place.
The standard dose for tinctures, unless otherwise stated, works on 5ml three times a day. Tinctures should always be taken in a little warm water (or juice if you need to disguise the flavor).
A tincture can be stored for 5 years or longer. If you are using dried herbs the ratio to use is 1:5 – 1 part plant material to 5 parts vodka. For fresh herbs the ratio is 1:3. If using a combination instead of a single herb, the ratio always remains the same. Vodka is the preferred alcohol as it only contains alcohol and water.
~~***~~
If you suffer from period pain, try this tincture mix to bring some relief.
Mix 15ml black haw bark tincture, 2.5ml st john’s wort tincture and 2.5ml pasque flower tincture. Combine tinctures in a sterilised, dark glass bottle. Take all 20ml in warm water, 3 times a day.
Do not take st john’s wort if you are taking antidepressants.
~~***~~
Many people are trying their hands at simple homemade tinctures to create herbal remedies. Using tinctures as teas is a fun and easy way to ease yourself into the world of herbal remedies. It allows you to experience what a simple tea can really do for you, if you use ingredients to their full potential. Although there are many easy recipes using herbs that are usually completely harmless, it is always important to remain safe.
There are some people who react poorly to alcohol, or have a moral or ethical objection to its presence. These individuals should use teas or capsules. Alternatively, they can choose to reduce the alcohol content by adding some boiling water to the tincture which will allow the alcohol to dissipate.
CAUTION: Do not use industrial alcohol, methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol – ALL are extremely toxic and not for human consumption.
There are two other extraction methods that do not require the use of alcohol. One utilizes vinegar and the other is a glycerite which is based on glycerine. Vinegar based tinctures are not as strong as an alcohol based tincture but stronger than a glycerine based one.