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Herbal teas, infusions and decoctions are usually used in the home; they are nutritional and can help to relieve the acute symptoms of ill health. Infusions and decoctions are generally used when symptoms are more acute because they are twice as strong as teas.
Teas are better used as a long term or preventative treatment, as a part of your daily diet to help maintain good health.
They can also be used as an external application on the body when treating wounds or sprains, as a hair rinse or added to a bath for total body treatment.
Strong infusions can be used to make creams or ointments.
Infusion: Extraction of the medicinal or flavour active from a plant by soaking in hot or
cold water for 10-15 minutes. Used for leaves, stems and flowers.
Decoction: Extraction of medicinal actives by gently simmering the denser parts of plants for long periods of time. Used for roots, barks and seeds.
Medicinal Teas: Placing dried herbs in a vessel, covering with boiling water and letting it steep for a few minutes. Used for leaves, stems and flowers.
Making a herbal tea: Use 1 teaspoon of dried herb for each person and 1 for the pot, add boiling water and let it steep a few minutes (the longer it steeps the stronger the brew), strain and drink.
Making an infusion: Use 1 teaspoon of dried herb for each person. Pour boiling water over herb and let it steep until it is cool, and strain. A standard dose for internal use is a full wine glass 3 times daily. Never use aluminum teapots for herbal teas.
Making a decoction:
Same as an infusion, only there is a simmering of parts for an extended period of time
depending on the density of the ingredients.
Some commonly used herds and their indications
Chamomile - prevents and treats indigestion, neutralizers excess stomach acid, calms stomach spasms and tension, relieves colic & wind.
Rosehip - helps maintain good circulation, complete source of Vit C, great pick me up in time physical stress or anxiety, after minor surgery - cell repairer and preventer of postoperative infection.
Calendula - eye wash for irritations, conjunctivitis & sties, relief to itch, heat or inflammation of genital infections and wound healer.
Burdock - blood cleanser, stimulates digestion, good for dry scaly skin conditions and lowers blood sugar.
Dandelion root/leaf - blood cleanser, safe diuretic, high in potassium, decongestive to liver and gallbladder, aids weight loss and lowers cholesterol.
Peppermint - relief of heartburn, nausea, upset stomach, flatulence and diarrhea.
Red clover flowers - nutritive and blood cleanser; for eczema, psoriasis, bronchitis, coughs, inflammations and infections.
By Vicki Kritikos - Herbal Practitioner
References: Herbal First Aid - Nancy Evelyn, The Crossing Press, and California 1998.
The New Holistic Herbal - David Hoffman, Element Books Ltd Dorset 1992
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