HOW TO USE HERBS AND OILS Decide which herb you wish to use and then look at the
following ways of administration.
·
Teas (or infusions), decoctions and poultices all have to be made up
· Tinctures,
tablets and ointments or creams are ready to use.
·
Essential oils usually need to be diluted in water sprays, Almond or Sunflower oil.
Applying concentrated oils to the skin can cause an allergic reaction and may burn the skin particularly with
strong oils such as Thyme. Leaves and flowers, fresh or dried, should be chopped up and made as teas. Roots
and barks need to be made as decoctions.
Teas Take 1 small handful of fresh herb or
1 heaped tsp of dried herb to a cup of boiling water, or use 25g to 1 pint or 600mL of boiling water to make 3 cups at a time.
Make in a teapot or put a saucer on top of the cup, stir, and leave to stand for 5-10 minutes. Strain, sip whilst nice and
steamy. Can be kept for up to 24 hours in a fridge. For cooling purposes, making teas into ice blocks is also
a pleasant way of administering teas, particularly with teething in toddlers.
Decoctions Use
25g of root or bark to a 1/2 litre of boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes in an open saucepan - this will make 3 cups
OR grind until a powder and use 1 tsp to a cup of boiling water, stir, cover and leave to stand for 5-10 minutes. Strain,
this will last up to 2 days in a cool place.
Poultices Slippery Elm, Comfrey Root
are great powdered herbs. Mix with enough hot water or herbal tea – Calendula is a nice healing tea, make a thick
paste. Put this onto muslin (or a sterile dressing on an open wound) fold over, and apply firmly to inflamed and sore areas.
Fresh or dried chopped herbs such as comfrey leaf, can also be used by immersing the leaves in hot water, drain and wrap in
muslin.
Compresses Soak a clean flannel or piece of boiled muslin wrap in the herbal
tea place over sore or painful skin.
Dosage (suggestion)Adult: 1 cup of herb tea
3-4 times a day, or 1 cup of decoction 2-3 times a day, or 1 tsp (= 5mL) of tincture 2-3 times a day with
water. Take tablets
according to the instructions
NB: Children dosage should be checked with a practioner when using tinctures and tablets
