Do you ever wonder how people managed illness before doctors and hospitals? Herbs are the answer! In this guide to herbal remedies we will cover the basics such as sourcing herbs, making herbal remedies, and even using herbal remedies.
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Plants Can Do That?
Like many, my interest in herbal remedies started with elderberry syrup. Then I began to question how people dealt with minor illnesses and injuries before modern medicine. That led me to question why God would give people everything they need except the resources to heal themselves. Essential oils entered the scene and after that I discovered the world of herbal remedies. I’ve written this guide to herbal remedies as a brief introduction for somebody that has a spark of curiosity. It will not be comprehensive, but it will get you started.
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Guide to Herbal Remedies: Types of Remedies
External Preparations:
Poultice
Poultices are made using dried or fresh herbs that are pulverized and dampened before being applied to the skin. Plantain is a common poultice for bug bites.
Salve
Think of salve like lotion with herbs. Herbs are mixed with oils, butters, and beeswax to create a semi-solid remedy that is good for skin problems. I’ve seen many salve recipes to replace antibiotic ointment and to draw out splinters.
Wash
A wash is a very simple preparation. Simply add herbs to a bath. Much like an oatmeal bath that we give children with rashes. I like to use a detox bath when somebody is sick. It helps tremendously with a fever. Washes can come in the form of bath salts, bath bombs, or even sitz baths.
Compress & Formentation
Compresses and formentation are when a cloth is soaked in an herbal infusion before being applied to the skin. Compresses are typically cool and formentations are usually hot. They are normally used for injuries or pain relief.
Internal Preparations:
Decoction
Decoctions are typically made by boiling bark, seeds, roots, or berries in water for about 15 minutes. Then it is strained and ingested warm.
Infusion
Infusions are very similar to decoctions, except that they are made with flowers and leaves. Hot water is poured over dried herbs and allowed to seep before drinking. An herbal tea would be the perfect example.
Tincture
Tinctures are stronger than infusions and decoctions, but also more shelf stable. Dry herbs are covered with alcohol and shaken daily for 6-8 weeks. At that point they can be strained off and stored in a cool dark place. This is the most common form of herbal medicine. I use a willow bark tincture for headaches. You can also turn a tincture into a spray like I did with the sore throat spray.
Dry
Dried herbs can also be used. This is convenient because they can be stored on a shelf and used to make other types of remedies. Dried herbs can be crushed into a powder then taken as a tea or capsule.
FREE Herbal Remedy Recipes
Steam
Using herbal steams is very common when it comes to respiratory problems. I am particularly fond of my mullein steam when my sinuses are bothering me. Hot water is poured over dry herbs. Then you breathe in the steam produced.
Oxymel
I have tried to take oxymels before and I struggle. An oxymel is when herbs, vinegar, and honey are combined. They can be great for clearing your sinuses or helping sore throats, but I just can’t keep them down.
Glycerite
Glycerites are just like tinctures, but instead of using alcohol to cover the herbs, glycerine is used. These are great for kids or those of us that don’t drink alcohol. The glycerine creates a sweet taste and it goes down much easier than vodka.
Syrups & Candy
Herbal syrups are when herbs are cooked down with water and sugar or honey. This is what we think of when we think of elderberry syrup. If you keep cooking them down they will turn into candy or cough drops. These are often the most popular with kids because they are sweet.
Guide to Herbal Remedies: Sourcing Herbs
You do not want just any herbs when you are making herbal remedies. Pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and processing all matter.
I love my herb garden and have been planting more medicinal herbs, but those often take time and are not always easy to grow. Some herbs can be foraged. Just make sure when foraging you know that they weren’t sprayed with any chemicals like Round Up. That would defeat the purpose of using herbal remedies instead of conventional medicine. The other option is to buy them. I love Farmhouse Teas. I can buy my dried herbs from them and feel safe about using them. Plus they are an American small business, which I am always happy to support.
Check out my list of 10 common medicinal herbs to get you started!
Guide to Herbal Remedies: Taking Remedies
Unlike conventional medicine, herbal remedies must be taken more frequently. If you are going to come away with one thing from this guide to herbal remedies, I hope that you understand that herbs must be taken frequently.
You can ingest the remedies, apply them topically, breath them in, or soak in them. Often the recommendation is to use the herbal remedy every 2 hours. Any time that I’ve used herbs and not had them work it was because I only took them a few times throughout the day.
So keep that in mind when you are ready to prepare remedies. How will the herbs go down the easiest? Where will I be taking them? It’s much harder to soak in the tub at work than it is to apply a salve.
FREE Herbal Remedy Recipes
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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