- Any plant used for healing is considered an herb.
- Plant parts used as herbs include leaves, flowers, stems, roots, seeds, berries, twigs and bark.
What are some examples of herbs?
- Herbs include common "weeds," such as dandelion, chickweed, mullein and plantain.
- Many culinary spices are also useful herbs, such as fennel seed, cayenne pepper, ginger root, rosemary leaf and garlic bulb.
How are herbs used internally?
- Herbs can be taken internally in various forms: tea, tincture (alcohol or glycerine), paste, syrup, capsules or pills.
What is the difference between a beverage herb tea and a medicinal herb tea?
- A beverage herb tea, such as a tea bag soaked in hot water, uses only a small of amount of herb (approx. 1/7 ounce of herb), which is not sufficient for healing purposes.
- A medicinal herb tea typically uses 1 ounce of dried herb (by weight) to 2 cups of water [or 2 ounces of fresh herb (by weight) to 2 cups of water].
How is a medicinal herb tea prepared?
Infusion - Method used for making tea from soft leaves, flowers and herbs with volatile oils (ex: mints, eucalyptus).
- Place 1 ounce of dried herb in a glass jar, teapot, or stainless steel pot.
- Add 2 cups boiled water (preferably filtered or purified) and stir, then cover container.
- Allow to infuse (steep) for 15 minutes.
- Strain tea and drink throughout the day, preferably warm.
NOTE: To prepare larger quantities of tea, stick to a 1 ounce:2 cup ratio (herb:water).
Decoction - Method used for making tea from coarse leaves, stems, bark, roots and seeds.
- Place 1 ounce herb in a stainless steel or ceramic pot.
- Add 2 cups water (preferably filtered or purified) and stir.
- Cover pot and bring to a boil.
- Allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes (for coarse leaves) and up to 60 minutes for stems, bark and roots.
- Strain tea and drink throughout the day, preferably warm.
NOTE: To prepare larger quantities of tea, stick to a 1 ounce:2 cup ratio (herb:water).
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- With cinnamon or ginger powder, use 1/2-1 teaspoon powder to 1 cup hot water, and add honey if desired.
- To make a medicinal herb tea from tea bags: used 3-4 tea bags per cup of water, and infuse (steep) about 15 minutes.
- For chronic ailments (mild and long-lasting), the daily adult dosage of a medicinal tea is usually 1/2-1 cup three times per day (between 1-1/2 - 3 cups per day). The tea is drunk six days per week, taking one day off.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: The adult dosage is for an adult weighing 150 lbs, so a person weighing 100 lbs would take 2/3 of the adult dosage [100/150 = 2/3], while a person weighing 75 lbs would take 1/2 of the adult dosage [75/150 = 1/2].
- For acute ailments (onset is sudden and strong), a medicinal tea is usually taken in frequent small doses of 2 -3 tablespoons every 1/2 hour (between 4-6 cups per day).
- Only very mild herbs (Ex: catnip and lemon balm) should be given to very young children.
- Medicinal herb teas are ideal for herbs with a relatively mild flavor that can be used in large doses.
What is a tincture (aka "herbal extract")?
- A tincture, aka "herbal extract," is an herb extracted in either alcohol or glycerine (aka "glycerite"), and then stored in glass bottles.
Why use a tincture instead of an herbal tea?
- Alcohol and glycerine preserve the herb, so tinctures have a long shelf life.
- Since a tincture is ready to use "as is," it's convenient for long-term use of an herb as well as for travel.
- Extremely bitter herbs are easier to take in tincture form than as a tea.
Which should you use: alcohol tincture or a glycerine tincture ("glycerite")?
- Since a glycerine is sweet, it's used for children's tinctures.
- Glycerites are also preferred by adults who prefer not to ingest any alcohol.
NOTE: To minimize the amount of alcohol ingested from an alcohol tincture, place the tincture drops in about 1/4-1/2 cup of boiling water, stir, and allow to sit about 5 minutes (till cool enough to drink). Most of the alcohol will evaporate.
Reputable brands of tinctures?
- "Eclectic Institute" and "Herb Pharm" are two well-recognized and trusted brands that should be available at most healthfood or nutrition stores in 1 fluid ounce or larger bottles.
How is a tincture used?
- Shake bottle well before each use.
- Follow dosage instructions on bottle, which typically provide the dosage for an adult weighing 150 lbs [Ex: 30 drops -3 times per day]. Drops can be added to a few ounces of warm water or squirted directly into your mouth and followed with water.
- To determine the dosage for someone weighing less than 150 lbs: If the dosage for a 150 lb adult is 30 drops - 3 times per day, then the dosage for a person weighing 100 lbs is 20 drops - 3 times/day [100/150 = 2/3 and 30 drops X 2/3 = 20 drops].
- Children's glycerites will usually provide the dosage for children according to weight.
What is an herbal paste and when would one use it?
- An herbal paste is a powdered herb, such as ginger or cinnamon, mixed with honey.
- An herbal paste is an easy way to give strong-tasting herbs to children.
What is an herbal syrup and what is it used for?
- An herbal syrup is made by combining an herbal tea with honey and/or glycerine.
- An herbal syrup is usually used for treating a cough or sore throat.
Why take herbs in gelatin capsules?
- Gelatin capsules offer a convenient method of taking herbs (in powdered form) for long-term use and for travel.
- Bitter or strong-tasting herbs (such as yarrow, echinacea, dandelion, cayenne and ginger) are easier to take in capsules than as a tea.
- Gelatin capsules are an ideal way to take small doses of an herb.
Any disadvantages to taking herbs in gelatin capsules?
- Some people have difficulty digesting gelatin capsules. However, capsules are more readily dissolved if taken with a meal, or with a minimum of 1/2-1 cup of water or herbal tea.
What are herb pills?
- Powdered herbs mixed with a binder, such as slippery elm, and water, then dried.
- Advantage: Since there is no capsule, the herbs are more easily digested.
Sources:
- Michael Tierra, L.Ac., OMD, The Way of Herbs
- Lesley Tierra, L.Ac., Herbalist, The Herbs of Life
- Lesley Tierra, L.Ac. Herbalist, A Kid's Herb Book
