External Herbal Remedies
Here are a few ways you can use herbs externally to help heal yourself naturally.
Baths:
Adding herbs to your bath is great for relaxation, but it can also have some medicinal effects too. Depending on the herbs used and herbal bath can aid in treating skin conditions and aching muscles. If you want an herbal bath here’s how:
Choose your desired herbs. You can place herbs in a muslin cloth bag and drop in the tub. However your bath water is likely not hot enough to get all the benefits out of the herbs you have chosen. The best way is to make an herbal infusion or decoction and add it to your bath water.
Steam inhalations:
These are really good for when you’re feeling super icky and under the weather. Good herbs to relieve cold symptoms are ginger, thyme, and peppermint. If you want to try a steal inhalation here’s how:
1 liter boiling water
2 tsp herbs of your choice.
Place hot water over herbs in a bowl. Put a towel over your head and the bowl inhaling the herbal vapors.
Salves:
Salves are good for treating topical conditions. They can aid in dealing with dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and more. You can make a salve using an infused oil and beeswax or petroleum jelly and herbs.
Infused oils:
Infused oils can be used in many medicinal ways. The oils extract the resinous part of the herbs witch are often the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and wound healing properties. They can be used in place of ointments and salves. They make great bases for massage oils and chest rubs. Here are two methods in which to infuse oils:
Cold method: You may use either fresh or dried herbs. Place herbs in a clean glass jar and cover with a vegetable oil. This can be grape seed, coconut, sunflower or almond oil, etc. Place your jar in a sunny windowsill for two weeks, shaking at least once a day.
Heat-macerated Oil: In a double boiler you place your chopped herbs and choice of vegetable oil. You want to simmer this gently covered for two hours. Make sure to turn off the heat and allow it to fully cool before straining. Make sure to replace the water as it vaporizes.
Compresses and Poultices:
These are great for applying the herbs externally directly to the skin. For a compress soak a clean cloth in a herbal infusion or decoction. Apply this to the affected area and leave for half hour. A poultice apples the herbs directly to the skin and then places a hot towel over the herbs.
Coconut balms:
These are much simpler to make than a salve is. Room temperature coconut oil is perfect for quick balms. Coconut itself is anti-inflammatory and can reduce swelling and pain.
In a double boiler gently heat your herbs with the coconut oil for one to two hours and then strain into shallow jars.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this is for educational purposes.
Resources:
The Hearth Witch’s Kitchen Herbal by Anna Franklin
Pocket Medicinal Herbs by Penelope Ody