HOW TO MAKE THE HERBAL PREPARATIONS
Herbal remedies are far more flexible than conventional drugs. We know, for example that to be effective, a specified amount of antibiotics must be taken for a specified number of days. In contrast, the dosage range of herbal treatment is very wide. Each individual may have different requirements, and different tolerances when it comes to taste. The following information provides the necessary guidelines for your first attempts preparing herbal remedies for better health options in passing a healthy life.
Infusion is also known as tisane or tea. Traditionally, 25g (1oz) of the dried herbs is placed in a crock vessel, and 600ml (1pt) of boiling water is poured over it. The vessel is covered, and after about 10 minutes, the liquid is strained of and about 1/3 of it taken, the rest being put a side for 2 further doses later in the day. In practice, this results in a very strong testing-tasting liquid. If the taste makes it impossible to drink, try a more dilute infusion of about 1 heaped teaspoon to 200ml (1/3pt) of water, enough for 1 dose. Make the infusion in the same way, then try adding honey or fruit juice. In some cases, such as when celery seeds are used, a savoury flavouring, like yeast extract, is appropriate. Although this preparation will not be as strong, if it is taken regularly it will have the same benefit. There is no value in drinking a preparation that is so strong that a second dose can not be tolerated.
Where a 'weak infusion' is suggested, use about 1/2 teaspoon of the herb to 200ml (1/3pt) of water, for a 'strong infusion' use 2 teaspoon to 200ml (1/3pt) of water.
Infusions can be made from all soft plant material, leaves, flowers and berries.
Decoction is term given to heating a substance in water in order extract the essence. In this preparation, used for roots and barks, the traditional strength is 25g (1oz) of herbs to 900ml (1 1/2pt) of water. These are placed in a pan, brought to simmering point and left simmering for about 15 minutes, or until the amount of liquid has reduced to about 600 ml ( 1 pt ) - giving the same final strength as the infusion. The extra time and heat softens up the woody material to enable the therapeutic ingredients to be drawn out into the liquid. As with the infusion, dilute if necessary and flavour to suit individual taste.
Preparing remedies for children
Young children should be given a quarter of the adult dose, and children between the ages five and eleven should be given half the adult dose. It may be necessary to flavour with fruit juice to disguise the taste of the herb.
Lotions may be made from either infusions or decoctions, depending on the plant material. It is important that the lotion should be well strained, particularly if it is to be used on the ears and eyes. A coffee filter - paper will catch any tiny particles that are left in lotion.
Add about 300ml (1/2 pt ) of strong infusion to 600ml ( 1 pt )of recently boiled water; cover with a towel. Place the patient's had under the towel to inhale the steam through the nose and mouth. This is an excellent way of treating nasal and chest infections, as the volatile constituents of the remedies are delivered immediately to the relevant areas. The warm steam helps to loosen phlegm and catarrh, and has a soothing affect on inflamed respiratory membranes.
Poultices are made for application over the affected area, such as arthritic joints, inflamed muscles, bruises, etc. They are made by adding hot water to the herb to make a paste, and if necessary using a 'binder' such as slippery elm powder or linseed meal. When the right consistency is reached, spread the paste over a piece of flannel; apply to skin and cover with wool, or similar material, to maintain the heat. The poultice can be kept in place until it starts to dry out or has lost all its heat.
The benefit of poultice get is twofold: the therapeutic benefit of the herb and the fact that the warmth and moisture help to soften the skin, thus allowing the plant constituents to be broken absorbed more easily. The heat also helps to relax the local muscles, easing tension and pain.
CAUTION: Poultices should not be used on broken skin, as the warm moist conditions will enable any bacteria present to flourish. Poultices can be used on boils and abscesses to draw the infection to a focus, thus speeding up the process of discharge and resolution.
THE MEDICINAL CONSTITUENTS OF PLANTS
The from each aromatic plant is formed from a number of volatile constituents, and the variation of these gives each plant its own characteristics scent. It may occur in leaves, flowers and seeds. Certain properties are common to all volatile oils: they are all antiseptic; they soothe the digestion and help prevent flatulence and griping; and many calm the nervous system.
These help to harden soluble proteins forming a protective surface over inflamed tissues. Internally, they calm over- activity in the digestive system, but they may also reduce absorption of protein is taken for too long. Externally, they will help staunch the flow of blood and reduce inflammatory swellings.
These occur in plants as an energy source, along with starches. They form a part of the molecular structure of glycosides, which occur widely and have a range of individual therapeutic actions.
These are basically forms of cellulose which form a 'slippery' or gel consistency when they absorb water. This has a soothing effect b mimicking the body's own protective mechanism of mucus production.
These substances stimulate the taste buds which in turn stimulate the appetite and digestive system via the vagus nerve. They also stimulate the liver in detoxifying treatments.
These are plant constituents containing nitrogen - originally called 'vegetables alkalis'. They have wide-ranging effects on body functions, including the circulatory, nervous, digestive and respiratory systems. The best-known alkaloid is probably caffeine.
These are insoluable in water and therefore usually extracted in high-alcohol tinctures. They are antiseptic and antifungle.
These produce a soapy consistency when added to water- soap-wort herb, for example, can be used as a mild soap. Some may cause some irritation to the stomach that produces a reflex loosening of phlegm in the lungs. Others have molecules similar to the natural steroid hormones of the body. These have anti- inflammatory actions and a tonic influence on the reproductive system- Mainly in the female, through there are one or two traditionally used for the male.
Flavonoids have a range of actions. Some complement Vitamin C function, and will help to strengthen the blood- vessels; some help reduce muscle- spasm. They are frequently occurring plant constituents.
THE MEDICINAL ACTIONS OF PLANTS
Traditionally known as blood-purifiers', this range of remedies helps to improve the efficiency of the bodies's powers of elimination. Some work on the liver, some on the kidneys, some on the lymphatic system. This approach will help in any treatment where a 'cleansing' action is needed; for instance if it is thought that toxic waste products, or ingested pollutants, have been accumulating in the body
Anodyne remedies have a pain- reducing effect. Herbal remedies generally do not have a strong pain- killing action- the aim of the treatment is to achieve a positive state of health rather than simply dull the pain. There are one or two remedies, however, which have a gentle pain- relieving action, perhaps because of their relaxing effect on the nervous system.
This treatment helps to relieve the intensity of excessive muscular contraction. The basic function of muscle tissue is to contract to reduce moment-this produces locomotion in the muscles attached to the skeleton. In the digestive tract produces the contractions necessary to push the food through the 'tubing' in the abdomen. If the muscles are overstimulated by the nerves controlling them, or if there is any source of irritation to them, they may go into excessive contraction - spasm- known as cramp, or A colic in the digestive system. Remedies having a muscle- relaxant effect are necessary to counteract this.
Aromatic plants having a notable scent, produced by the volatile oil in the plant. Due to the variety of constituents in the oil, no two plants will have the same scent, or exact therapeutic actions.
The term astringent refers to a plant that has a tightening, anti- inflammatory action on tissues. Most astringent plants have this action due to the tannins they contain.
An expectorant will help the production and elimination of phlegm from the lungs. There are two types: the irritant expectorants, of which Ipecacuanha is the best- known example; and the soothing expectorants such as Coltsfoot. The irritants work by reflex action from the stomach to the lungs ; when the stomach lining is irritated, a reflex response is produced in the lungs- more mucus is produced as a protective mechanism. This is then cleared from the lungs by coughing- a means of getting rid of any harmful substances. The irritant properties of Ipecacuanha on the stomach are well known- in large doses it causes vomiting! The soothing expectorants have an apparently paradoxical action: soothing any irritations and inflammation in the lungs, but helping to loosen tight phlegm at the same time.
Laxatives promote activity in the bowel. Many laxatives work on a reflex in the digestive tract: when the lining of the upper intestine ( the duodenum) is irritated, the muscles in the bowel are stimulated by a nerve reflex to increase their activity. These laxatives work on the principle that the body is trying to speed up the elimination of the irritating substance to protect itself from further harm. The second type of laxative is one which works by creating more bulk of food for the muscles of the digestive tract to work on. The remedies in this group usually have a high starch or cellulose content, which when moistened swells to become a soft, slippery gel consistency. The lubricating action is another benefit, as it enables food to pass more easily along the digestive tract.
Tonics have a strengthening, vitalising effect on the target tissues. They work partly by nourishing, partly by stimulating existing reflex patterns of activity, to enable the affected tissues to cope more successfully with any demands or stress to which they may be subjected. Tonics help to support and restore normal body function.
