Koren #1 @7314
Mon Apr 02 15:13:11 1990
      Several Ways of Preparing Herbs for Use.

Notes:  Always keep a record of the work you do.
        If using herbs for healing, remember you are NOT a doctor, use them
        only for adjuncts not replacments for medical treatment.
        The traditional Herbal Craftsperson will meditate as the work is
        done and after it is completed, in this way learning is continud

        The Water in the following preparations is brought to boiling then 
poured over the herb, the herbs are NOT boiled in the water, for that would 
cause a breakdown of the vitamins and minerals in the herbs that are so vital
to the healing process.


  MAKING AN INFUSION

This process draws the properties you want out of the herb for healing. An 
infusion is basically a strong tea. The normal mixture is 1 pint of water to 
1/2 ounce of herb. It takes experience to learn how long each herb needs to 
steep, some take longer than others, the average length of time is 1/2 hour 
but with practice you'll learn which take longer and which take less time.

         This is the easiest method.

  MAKING A DECOCTION

This is much the same as an infusion (tea) except you are working with a much 
more solid herb such as thick pieces of root or bark which can't be ground up 
or the remedy calls for a much stronger dose.. 

  This is the one case where you should BOIL THE HERB. In fact that's the 
whole process.  Make sure that no steam escapes or the vital oils will go away 
with it.  Also (of course) never use any metal when doing ANY herbal remedies.

  If you will have more than one ingredient in the decoction begin by boiling 
the toughest then work down. Start with cold water and after boiling for what 
you consider long enough allow it to steep usually for at least 30 minutes.

  MAKING A POULTICE

This is used when you need to apply the herbs externally such as for a burn or 
for acne. Yes it's messy but often essential for healing

 Pour boiling water over the herbs using just enough to dampen them or evenly 
cover the plant matter, you're not trying to extract anything from the herb 
only to moisten it.  When it is all evenly wet remove it with a strainer and 
place between 2 pieces of gauze (cheesecloth also works well if folded several 
times).   You then apply the gauze with the herbs inside to the affected part 
and allow the mositure with the herb essence to pass within the person.

  MAKING AN OINTMENT

This method involves mixing the herb(s) with a fixative such as petroleum 
jelly or vegatable fat.  This is done by heating the fixative until it is 
quite warm and adding the ground herbs to it.  Once mixed up the mixture can 
be heated more than once and allowed to cool, Once you are satisfied that all 
the goody has been removed from the herb the whole mixture should be strained
and put into a storage containter then allowed to cool.  This is the same 
procedure used to make salves.

  MAKING A WASH

 Same as an infusion (tea) except you use it externally.

  TINCTURE

 These are used when long term storage is required.  It requires alchol of at 
least a 75% grade which can be safely ingested. Place the follwoing in a jar 
which can be tightly sealed

  1-4 ounces of the herb
  8 ounces of alchol (drinkable!)
  4 ounces of water

 Seal the jar and keep it safely out of the light for 2 weeks. Each day at 
least once, check it and make sure that you loosed the mass of herb inside the 
jar by swirling it about.  Continue this process until at the end of the 2 
weeks the alcohol has extracted all the constituents without need of heat.  
This process is best begun on the new moon and completed on the full moon.