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the plants themselves
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will produce a slightly different chemistry, but spring collecting should
be done before major foliage and stem production has begun.
Once harvested, the way in which herbs are dried and stored is of
paramount importance. When a herb is picked, it immediately starts to
decay; bacteria and fungi increase, and the plant’s potency ebbs with its
color, smell, and texture. It is vital to arrest this process as quickly as
possible. The water content and type of fibrous material to be dried out
varies for each plant, and some plants need to have their readily lost oils
conserved very efficiently. Still others are more affected by the climate;
for example, if it is constantly damp and rainy, fungal spores can
completely destroy the plant. General rules for drying are to keep the
plant out of direct sunlight and in constant aerated heat.
Basic Preparations of Herbs
A herb is sometimes used on its own or sometimes as part of a formula
that contains several herbs. The latter, termed polypharmacy, employs a
teamwork effect that is appropriate when the power of a single herb needs
to be supplemented. Very often the formula consists of one main herb with
others acting as support. The support team can be made up of one or two
herbs, or even ten or twelve. The main herb may, for example, be required
to soothe impaired tissue, while the others assist in nourishment, help
eliminate toxins, assist in nerve or blood supply, or calm and sedate. These
single or multiple herb choices can be prepared as teas (infusions),
decoctions, tinctures, syrups, capsules, ointments, compresses, poultices,
suppositories, pessaries, douches, essential oils, herbal oils, smudge sticks,
or powders.
Differing forms of administering a herb or herbs are chosen for
whether external or internal uses are needed. Also, a choice has to be
made regarding by what means the specific beneficial chemistries are to
be extracted. For instance, the main chemical constituents in ginkgo leaf
are best extracted using water, and therefore a tea or decoction is ideal;
whereas for echinacea root, alcohol is best, and therefore a tincture is
ideal. Sometimes methods can be combined, thus taking advantage of all
available chemistries.As mentioned before, all plants used in the basic
preparation of herbs should be organic or wild-crafted. For information
on the specific plants referred to by common name, see appendix 1.
herbal teas — infusions
Teas and infusions can be made using a specialized teapot, or if you wish
to make tea in a mug or cup, then a tea sock is ideal. A tea sock is a simple
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