GUIDELINES FOR INTERNAL USE OF HERBS

What is an herb?

• 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).

1. Place 1 ounce of dried herb in a glass jar, teapot, or stainless steel pot.
2. Add 2 cups boiled water (preferably filtered or purified) and stir, then cover container.
3. Allow to infuse (steep) for 15 minutes.
4. 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.

1. Place 1 ounce herb in a stainless steel or ceramic pot.
2. Add 2 cups water (preferably filtered or purified) and stir.
3. Cover pot and bring to a boil.
4. Allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes (for coarse leaves) and up to 60 minutes for stems, bark and roots.
5. 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:

1. With cinnamon or ginger powder, use 1/2-1 teaspoon powder to 1 cup hot water, and add honey if desired.
2. To make a medicinal herb tea from tea bags: used 3-4 tea bags per cup of water, and infuse (steep) about 15 minutes.
3. 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.
4. 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].
5. 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).
6. Only very mild herbs (Ex: catnip and lemon balm) should be given to very young children.
7. 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?

1. Shake bottle well before each use.
2. 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.
3. 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].
4. 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