Preparing Herbs for Health

Preparing Herbs That Are Good for Your Mental Health

Since ancient times, people have employed herbal remedies to promote healing and general well-being. Many herbs are inexpensive, simple to produce, and a useful complement to your daily self-care regimen.

However, it is important to prepare and use them properly to avoid irritation or serious side effects.

Most people will buy the pill from their health food store, but the dried herb may not be as potent as the fresh, and the “dosage” might not be effective. Many herbal remedies from overseas are often adulterated with cheap ingredients to “stretch” the herbs, or other ingredients that could cause side effects.

There are many ways to take herbs for health. Here are a few suggestions:

For Health: Fresh Herbs for Health

Herbs are full of phytochemicals that can aid in a range of medical conditions. Many of them contain high levels of antioxidants, such as nettles, and can therefore help prevent disease and the wear and tear on the body caused by the process of aging.

Herbs can be used in a range of ways if you enjoy being creative. Some studies have shown that they can also be an effective weight loss aid due to the interesting flavors they add to foods, which can help reduce unhealthy cravings.

Use fresh herbs in cooking, drinks, candies, chews, etc. Sage, rosemary, and thyme are savory aromatic herbs. Ginger tea is beneficial for colds and cleansing. Pure licorice root has tremendous therapeutic benefits. Peppermint and spearmint improve mouth health and taste.

Try different ethnic cuisines, particularly Indian food. Ayurvedic herbal medicine has been practiced on the Indian subcontinent for more than 5,000 years. Turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and ginger are just a few of the powerful herbs and spices found in Indian cookery.

Tinctures

Tinctures use pure ethanol and sometimes water to preserve the herbs and make an extract from them to use throughout the day. Bach Flower Remedies would be a good example of tinctures.

Vinegars

Vinegars are made with acetic acid. The herbs are preserved, and the flavor infuses the vinegar and lends it some interesting flavors. It can then be drunk in small amounts or used in salads.

Oils

Oils such as olive oil will also preserve the herbs. The flavor will infuse the oil and create interesting flavors. It can then be used in a range of recipes.

Wines, Cordials and Liquors

These are made with about 40% ethanol to preserve the herbs and other botanicals. Popular examples are elderberry or elderflower wine, gin, and the Greek drink grappa.

Tisanes and Teas

Fresh herbs to be dried should be hung in a cool spot free from direct sunlight. The dried herbs can then be used at any time. Tisanes, or teas, are a popular way to enjoy herbs. Just add hot water, steep, strain as needed, and drink. Chamomile is one of the most popular and soothing teas.

Decoctions

These are herbs, roots, and/or bark that have been boiled for a long time to get all of the active ingredients out of the botanical. Willow bark decoction is as effective as aspirin in relieving pain. It can be taken internally or applied to sore joints.

Macerates

Some plants release thick gel-like substances when they come into contact with liquid, forming a thick solution. Plants such as sage and thyme are chopped up and placed in cold water. They are left to stand for about 10 to 12 hours, and the resulting liquid can be used in wines and cordials, or topical preparations such as creams and ointments.

Poultices or Compresses

Poultices or compresses are usually made from the whole plant, often chopped and mixed with other healing ingredients, and then placed in a cloth. Hot or warm water is then usually applied, and the poultice is placed on the trouble spot. It can ease aches and pains, or aid in breathing when placed on the chest, such as a mustard plaster.

Pills

You can try your herbs and put them into gelatin capsules. This is your best option if the taste is too strong to enjoy the herb as a tea or tincture.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are so named because they are the healing essence of the plant or botanical. They are highly concentrated, and perhaps thousands of times more potent than fresh herbs. Hundreds of essential oils are used in the ancient healing modality of aromatherapy.

Essential oils can be:

Inhaled.
Diluted with water.
Diluted with a carrier oil, such as in massage.
Added to hot water to be inhaled.
Added to a hot bath, to be inhaled and for skin to be soothed.

Most people buy the oils and then make their own recipes rather than try to distill essential oils themselves. Look for kosher, edible-grade oils from Europe, America, or Canada to ensure you are getting a high-quality product that is safe to use.