Quick Guide to Lotions and Potions

natural-magics:

Infusion

Infusions work best for making tea from leaves and flowers as these plant parts give up their active constituents easily.

Allow the tea to steep for 10 to 20 minutes so the therapeutic properties can pass from the herb into the water.

To make an infused oil put dried herbs in the top of a double-boiler, cover with oil about an inch over the herb (olive works well for this because it has a fairly long shelf life), let simmer for 2 hours without letting it get too hot or boiling, a temp of 150 F is good. Strain the oil into a clean jar, date and label. Without any preservatives, infused oil will last about a year.

Decoction

Teas made from roots and twigs are most often brewed by decoction because it is more difficult to extract their medicinal properties any other way. Boil or simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb per cup of water for 10 to 20 minutes.

Poultice

A poultice is a paste of chopped, fresh (or dried and then re-moistened) plant material which is applied directly to a wound or skin infection. It is held in place by a wet dressing covered by a bandage. Poultices are most often used to prevent infection and hasten healing.

To make a poultice, boil, steam, or pound the healing herb of your choice to release more medicinal compounds. Then shape the material into a small, coin-size wad which can then lie flat against the wound. Many herbalists recommend mixing 1 part herb with 3 parts
water, alcohol, witch hazel or vinegar. Thicken with flour to make the poultice easier to handle and apply.

Note: doing a patch test first would be a very good idea to make sure your skin doesn’t get irritated.

Tincture

Stuff dried herbs into a jar, add enough alcohol (usually vodka or everclear (natural grain alcohol), depending on the strength needed for the particular herb) to amply cover the herbs, and screw the lid on. Allow the mixture to stand for about a week, shaking it occasionally. Then strain it, discard the plant material, and store the tincture in a bottle with a dropper lid. Label and date the bottle. Most tinctures have a shelf life of 2 years.

Wash

A tea or infusion meant only for external use. A mild form of a wash would be ¼ ounce of herb to one pint of boiling water, steeped until lukewarm, then applied.

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