Herbal Preparations

Drying preserves the volatile oils, color, and medicinal constituents of fresh herbs for year-round use.

1. 1Harvest herbs in the late morning, after dew has lifted but before the sun grows hot.
2. 2Gently rinse only if necessary, then pat dry with a clean towel — moisture invites mold.
3. 3Strip lower leaves from the stems and bundle 6–10 stems with twine at the base.
4. 4Hang bundles upside down in a warm (60–80°F), dark, well-ventilated room for 1–3 weeks.
5. 5Alternatively, lay leaves and flowers in a single layer on screens, or use a dehydrator at 95–105°F.
6. 6Test for dryness: leaves should crumble easily and stems should snap, not bend.
7. 7Strip leaves from stems and store whole (not powdered) in airtight glass jars away from light and heat.
8. 8Label with plant name and harvest date. Most dried herbs retain potency for 12 months.

✦ Whole leaves keep their medicine longer than powdered — grind only as you need.

Capsules deliver bitter or strong-tasting herbs in a measured, convenient form.

1. 1Choose dried herbs and grind them in a coffee or spice grinder until fine and uniform.
2. 2Sift the powder through a fine mesh strainer to remove any fibrous bits.
3. 3Select empty vegetarian or gelatin capsules — size '00' is most common (~735 mg of plant powder).
4. 4Place a capsule machine (manual filler) on a flat surface and load empty capsule halves into both trays.
5. 5Spread powder generously over the longer half and use the tamper to pack it firmly.
6. 6Cap each capsule by pressing the lids down and twisting gently to seal.
7. 7Wipe excess powder, then store finished capsules in an amber glass jar in a cool, dry place.
8. 8Label with herb, dose, and date. Use within 6 months for best potency.

✦ Always research safe dosage for each herb — capsules concentrate plant material more than tea.

Water infusions extract water-soluble compounds: vitamins, minerals, and aromatic oils.

1. 1HOT INFUSION (best for leaves and flowers): Place 1 Tbsp dried herb (or 2 Tbsp fresh) per cup in a teapot or jar.
2. 2Pour just-boiled water over the herbs, cover immediately to trap volatile oils.
3. 3Steep 10–15 minutes for a beverage tea, or 4+ hours for a strong medicinal infusion (1 oz herb to 1 quart water).
4. 4Strain through cheesecloth, pressing the marc to extract every drop.
5. 5COLD INFUSION (best for mucilaginous or delicate herbs like marshmallow, violet, lemon balm):
6. 6Combine 1 oz dried herb with 1 quart cool, filtered water in a jar.
7. 7Cover and let steep at room temperature for 8–12 hours, or overnight in the fridge.
8. 8Strain well and drink within 36 hours, refrigerated.

✦ Hot extracts the warming, aromatic medicine; cold preserves cooling, soothing, mucilage-rich properties.

Oil infusions capture fat-soluble plant compounds for use in salves, balms, massage oils, and food.

1. 1Use thoroughly dried herbs — fresh plants introduce water that spoils oil. (Wilt fresh herbs 12–24 hours if needed.)
2. 2Fill a clean, dry glass jar 2/3 full with herbs.
3. 3Cover completely with a stable carrier oil (olive, jojoba, sweet almond) — at least 1 inch above the herbs.
4. 4FOLK METHOD: Cap and place in a sunny window for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
5. 5QUICK METHOD: Set the uncovered jar in a double boiler over very low heat (100–110°F) for 4–8 hours.
6. 6Strain through cheesecloth into a clean jar; squeeze the herb material to recover all oil.
7. 7Let any sediment settle overnight, then decant the clear oil into a dark bottle.
8. 8Store in a cool, dark place. Shelf life: 6–12 months. Add a few drops of vitamin E to extend.

✦ Calendula, comfrey, plantain, and St. John's wort all make beautiful infused oils.

Salves transform herbal oil into a portable, skin-healing balm for cuts, bruises, dry skin, and sore muscles.

1. 1Begin with 1 cup of strained herbal infused oil.
2. 2Warm the oil gently in a double boiler — never let it simmer.
3. 3Add 1 oz (about 2 Tbsp) grated beeswax. Adjust: more wax for a firmer salve, less for softer.
4. 4Stir until beeswax is fully melted and combined.
5. 5Test consistency: drop a spoonful onto a cold plate, let it set 1 minute. Add more wax or oil as needed.
6. 6Optional: remove from heat and add 10–20 drops essential oil per cup, plus 1/4 tsp vitamin E.
7. 7Pour quickly into clean tins or small jars before it sets.
8. 8Let cool undisturbed at room temperature, then cap, label, and store away from heat. Shelf life: ~1 year.

✦ Classic blend: calendula + plantain + comfrey oil = an all-purpose healing salve.

Syrups make medicine palatable — perfect for children, sore throats, and immune support.

1. 1Combine 2 oz dried herbs (or 4 oz fresh) with 1 quart water in a saucepan.
2. 2Simmer gently, uncovered, until the liquid reduces by half (~30–45 minutes).
3. 3Strain the decoction through cheesecloth and return to the pan.
4. 4While still warm, add 1 cup raw honey or sugar per 1 cup decoction (1:1 ratio).
5. 5Stir over low heat until fully dissolved — do not boil honey, as it destroys enzymes.
6. 6Optional: add 1–2 Tbsp brandy per cup of syrup to extend shelf life.
7. 7Bottle in sterilized glass and refrigerate. Lasts 1 month plain, up to 6 months with brandy.
8. 8Standard dose: 1 tsp for children, 1 Tbsp for adults, up to 4x daily.

✦ Elderberry, ginger, thyme, and marshmallow root all make wonderful syrups.

A poultice is moist plant material applied directly to the skin to draw out, soothe, or heal — one of the oldest forms of herbal first aid.

1. 1Choose your herb based on need: plantain for stings & splinters, comfrey for bruises, yarrow for wounds, ginger for congestion.
2. 2FRESH POULTICE: Chew, mash, or blend fresh leaves into a pulpy mass (the 'spit poultice' is real folk medicine).
3. 3DRIED POULTICE: Combine powdered herb with just enough warm water (or apple cider vinegar) to form a paste.
4. 4Apply the herb paste directly onto the affected area, about 1/4 inch thick.
5. 5Cover with a clean strip of muslin, gauze, or a cabbage leaf to hold moisture.
6. 6Wrap with a bandage or cloth to keep the poultice in place.
7. 7Leave on for 20 minutes to several hours; refresh with new herb material every few hours.
8. 8Discard used plant material — never reuse a poultice.

✦ For drawing poultices (boils, splinters), use plantain, slippery elm, or activated charcoal mixed with flaxseed.