GENERAL INFO

Herbs should be stored in a shady place, inside a dark coloured glass container, away from the sun, high temperature and humidity. Herbal therapies should last for enough time until they start showing results. That’s why, it’s good to drink an average of 3 cups a day, unless you are instructed otherwise, also drink in small sips that stay in the mouth for a while before swallowing. Every two weeks, take a week’s break to avoid addiction. If you find it necessary to sweeten your beverage don’t use sugar but a bit of honey.

USAGE

Ointment

Ointment can only be used externally and preparation would have to be experimental and vary according to the herb and the particular usage. In any case, ointments’ raw material in general are the concoction, infusion, juice or powder of the herb that are processed either with wax, butter or even flour, till they become one. They are stored in jars.

Decoction

The herb is boiled in cold water for about 10 minutes. It is left for 15-20 minutes and, then, strained. This way is often used for preparing herbal teas from roots, fruits and barks.

Infusion

It is the best way to extract all the beneficial elements of the herbs. Herbs are placed in a cup. Boiled water is added. They are left covered for about 10-20 minutes then strained.

Tincture

Tinctures are the preserved mixtures of alcohol, water and herbs.Τhey are very concentrated, so the necessary quantity is less than the one required for decoctions and infusions. The herb to liquid analogy is 1:5 (ie: 200gr herb to 1lt liquid). Store the necessary amount of herb and alcohol (like vodka) in a dark coloured container with a screwing lid. Keep the tincture securely closed in a warm place and shake the bottle twice a day. After 14 days, strain the remainder with a piece of muslin clothing, squeezing well. Store in a well secured dark coloured bottles. You can use cider vinegar instead of alcohol. Tinctures can be taken insoluble or with water, can be added in compresses or beverages or used in the bath. They can, also, be used for the production of ointments by mixing them with bee wax or cocoa butter.

Extract

The procedure consists of boiling away the herb that has been soaked in water or alcohol. They are stored in glass bottles. We use a tea spoonful in a cup of water.

Poultice

They are used externally, straight on the skin, tied with a piece of clothing for a few minutes, depended on the herb and usage. If plant has a mild action we apply straight to the skin otherwise we spread it across a cotton fabric then we gently apply on the skin. On 50 degrees Celcium, most lenitive, anti inflammatory and spasmolytic properties are lost, so it’s really important to know its temperature. The best way to apply a poultice is to heat it up (either dumping it into warm water or ironing it covering it with warm clothing) and to apply to the problematic part no more than 5 minutes changing clothing for a period of time.

Compress

To make one, we dump a piece of clothing or cotton in concoction, infusion, tincture, lotion, etc and we apply to problematic area for 5-15 minutes depending on the attributes of plant and the size of the problem.

Gargles

Gargles are used for mouth, tonsils, pharynx and throat inflammations utilising the concoction or infusion that must not be so hot, though, to have desired results.