Herbal Chronicles #1 - WHY HERBS?!
So, today, we visit herbs. And probably a common but simple and easily answered question. Along with tips, added knowledge and basics.
So, why herbs?
They work! (No really, they do. Did you know that modern medicine wouldn’t be what it is today without at least some constituents from the herbs we have out in the wild?)
Take Willow bark for example. Willow bark is natures’ Aspirin. It comes from several varieties of willow trees like white willow, European willow, black willow, etc. Back in the days, it was most commonly used for pain and fever. It is also used to ease inflammation for centuries. People even chewed the bark itself too, to relieve pain and fevers.
They allow the body a mind to heal.
Pharmaceutical suppress our emotions or tamper with them; they offer synthetic replacement for things that the body cannot naturally produce.
They support natural healing processes vs. pharmaceutical process which hinder...
They are empowering to gain botanical and wild crafting skills.
Gathering and crafting are ways we can connect with herbs and nature in general.
Ok, now, how do we gather them? / Are there any rules to follow?
When Gathering...
Always gather with permission, gratefulness and healing intentions; be sure to bless the herb for blessing you!
Make sure you are properly identifying the botanical. Be mindful. You don’t want to get your herbs confused. For everything benevolent, there is a malevolent counterfactor even if those herbs can be used or serve other handy purposes.
Be sure you have found a safe place to harvest. This means do so far away from roads and away from pesticides, please!
Check that the plant is fresh.
Be sure you are ethically wildcrafting. Practice mindfulness; check the United Plant Savers for endangered plants... like Goldenseal.
What are ways we can use or prepare herbs?
Infusions; Can be hot or cold. If hot/warm, consists of boiled water poured over herbs and left to infuse for the right amount of time based on that particular herb . Cold/room temperature is good for herbs that are rich in mucilage so that the heat doesn’t destroy their moistening properties. (Ex: Hibiscus)
Sun or Moon; Usually made with fresh herbs but instead of heating with a stovetop, or fire, the solar or lunar (usually full moon) energy or heat activates and triggers infusion.
Decoctions; A long, low simmer of the herb on low (IF herbs are high in volatile oils). Simmers for anywhere between 30 minutes and 4 hours.
Tinctures; Can be made with: Alcohol (like Vodka), Alcohol and Glycerite, Glycerite alone OR Glycerite and Water. Uses finely minced herb and powder and is tightly packed. Menstruum added (solvent that extract); Alcohol, Vinegar, Water, Honey. You want to make sure you use enough menstruum to cover the herbs.This must sit for 6 to 8 weeks, been macerated (shaked) periodically. Once ready, use a cheesecloth to strain and press the herbs out then store it. Lasts for up to 5 years if done correctly. Is not water soluble.
Tip#1 for hot infusion: It’s 4-25 minutes for herbs high in volatile oils (Ex: Peppermint).
Tip#2 for hot infusion: Therapeutic herbs get a longer time to infuse at approx. 4-8 hours and these are called “Overnight Infusion”.
Tip#1 for Decoctions: For dried herbs, use 2 heaping tablespoons per 4 cups of water. If the water is boiling down, then double that water’s amount.
Tip#2 for Decoctions: For Fresh Herbs, use 4 heaping tablespoons of fresh herbs to 4 cups of water. Be sure the water hits 150 Fahrenheit!
Tip#1 for Tinctures: Alcohol extracts what water does not. Glycerite extracts what water does. This is why there is a variation.
There are more ways to utilize herbs and make preparation and I’ll share that soon!
Until next time!
🌙🧡✌🏽
