!st Chinese Herbs Gives 5 Examples How To Use Daily

Our knowlegable staff at  1st Chinese Herbs     are ready and able to answer your questions, on how to use the herbs, properities of the herbs, storage of the herbs, and the advantages and disadvantages of using whole herbs, powdered herbs, or packaged herbs. 

 

Below are 5 examples which will help.

5 Ways to use Bulk Herbs

Herbal Teas:  

Infusions, also known as steeping is easy to do. 

• Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of the herb to 8 ounces of water. 
• Bring the water to a boil.  Place herbs into a  reusable teabag or any other non metallic holder then place into a container that can be sealed. 
• Pour water  into the cup and cover for 5 - 15 minutes.
• Covering the cup keeps the volatile oils potent until ready to drink.  The reason the difference in time depends upon whether it is leaf, stems, root, or seeds.

Decoctions:
A decoction is also similar to an infusion, and necessary when using sturdy plant material like herbal roots, barks, pits, seeds, hard berries, root-barks and stems. These parts need to have their active components extracted in a more concentrated procedure

• The parts of the plant should be uniform in size.  Usually about 1 inch long, by 1/8 inch thick. Use 2-4 tablespoons of the dried herbs for 1 ½ pints of water.
• Place the herbs in a saucepan with the water, and boil the decoction.
• The boil should be a rolling boil, yet gentle.
• Simmer the mixture until the volume of the liquid has been reduced by about a half. This will take any where from 15 - 45 minutes 
• Strain the mixture.
• The decoction should be used in three wine-glass-sized doses throughout the day. It should be stored in a pitcher in a cool place.
• The decoction can be reheated and flavored with a little honey if desired

Poultice: 

• 4 ounces of herbs slightly bruised it is best for the herbs to be in a ground form.  
• Pour boiling hot water over the powder -  enough hot water to make a thick paste. 
• Apply the paste in a layer about 1/4th inch thick on a piece of cotton cloth large enough to cover the area completely. 
• The cloth can be gauze or a light material, to insure that the herbs can penetrate through. 
• To keep the heat in  cover  with a piece of plastic.   
• Leave it on until the herbs have cooled. 
• As a side note: Whole herbs can be used as well. Do not reuse the same poultice. Clean cloth is needed each time the problem area is addresses.   The poultice is to be used on an area that has been thoroughly cleaned.  Poultices can be used for eruptions, boils, carbuncles and abscesses and infected wounds.

Herbal Baths: 

• 2 to 4 of your favorite herbs.  Most commnly used are peppermint, roses, rosehips, lemongrass, sage, lavender, and chamomile.
• Place into reusable tea bag and toss into the bath tub, while the water is running.
• Insure that you do not use any herbs that can cause inflammation. 
• If not wanting to use in bath, this can be used as a loofa in the shower.

Herbal Extracts: 

• 1:4  ratio. 1 ounce of herbs to 4 ounces of vodka or brandy. 
• Place in bottle that can be sealed tightly. 
• Pour alcohol over the herbs insuring that the herbs are completely cover, even if it takes more liquid to do this. 
• Let this mixture age  for 6 weeks, slightly shaking it everyday. You may find that you will need to add more alcohol to insure that the liquid is all the way to the top of the container. 
• Do not put this in direct sunlight.  
• After 6 weeks drain, and use as directed.
• Label the jar with date, contents, and ingredients

Salves and Ointments:
Choose herbs with healing, soothing properties to prepare your own salves and ointments to apply to sore skin and wounds. Simply combine an infused oil with chosen herbs and beeswax.

• Pour 3-4 fluid ounces of an infused oil into a glass bowl, and place over a pot of boiling water.
• Add small, square piece of beeswax to the infused oil, stirring constantly until the wax has completely melted.  If not thick enough add more beeswax, very small pieces at a time.  The beeswax will thicken the mixture, giving it just the right consistency.
• Pour the warm liquid into small, dark ointment jars.
• Store in a cool, dark place.

Always label, with date, herbs used, quantity used, and what the reason you made the mixture.