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A tea is made from soaking herbs in water with the intent to drink it. This is one way to use bulk herbs in the cut and sifted form. You can use a single herb or a combination of herbs. There are a few things to take into account when making tea. Leaves and flowers are treated differently than roots and bark. A hot infusion is the standard way of making tea. It is a quick way to use any herb or herb combination by pouring water over them and letting them steep for 10-20 minutes. Continuously boiling an herb, unless it’s a root or bark, will destroy much of the flavor and healing qualities. Aromatic herbs have volatile oils (i.e. Peppermint, Lavender, and Chamomile) and are best put to use by making a cold infusion so as to retain their medicinal properties. If heat is used, herbs should be covered while they steep. Otherwise those flavors and healing properties will quickly evaporate. Herbs where the roots and bark are best used by soaking them for a few hours and then simmering them for 10-20 minutes after the water boils to extract all of the medicinal properties out of them.

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that often have alcohol as the solvent. Making tinctures can be a complicated subject. The simplest way to make a basic tincture is to combine your herbs (either powdered or cut and sifted) and place it in a large jar that can be closed tightly. add enough 80 proof alcohol (vodka) to cover the herbs. Close the jar and mix well. Add a bit more alcohol if needed. The level of liquid should be ½ inch above herbs. Label the jar. Keep the jar closed tightly. Shake the jar frequently for 14 days. Press the liquid from the herbs using a muslin cloth. Save and bottle the liquid. Always remember to label and date your tinctures.

Fomentations are a preparation that allows herbs to be absorbed through the skin. It is prepared by first making a strong tea from. A clean cloth is then dipped into the warm tea and applied to the skin. When it cools, the cloth must be wrung out and dipped again to keep it warm. The fomentation should be applied for several hours at a time. Redness of the skin is normal and indicates increased circulation, so do not discontinue unless skin feels painful.