It is important to know that Herbalism / Herbology is an honorable profession and the very profession that laid the foundations for modern medicine, botany, pharmacy, perfumery, and chemistry. It is an age-old art with its origins right back to the beginning of time.

Many dictionaries contain from 2 to 3 pages of definitions of words surrounding the Herb and the Herbalist:

an Herb is (primarily):  A plant of which the stem does not become woody or persistent (as in a shrub of tree), but remains more or less soft and succulent, and dies down to the ground (or entirely) after flowering.

The second definition for herb is applied to plants of which the leaves and or stems are used for food or medicine, or in some way for their scent or flavor. (Although Bark from a tree or the roots may also be used in remedies.)

Holistically speaking, "an Herb is a plant in relationship with humanity and Herbalism becomes the study and exploration of the interaction between humanity and the plant kingdom."

The Herbalist is defined as a person who grows, sells, collects, or specializes in the use of Herbs, especially medicinal Herbs.

There is so much history about the use of herbs and their relationship with humanity.  Some examples include:

The American Indians relied solely on herbology for healing all their ailments. (That is, those ailments that were not correctable by their many Spirits!)

The Druids of England and Ireland had a very remarkable relationship with Herbs. In fact, the whole of their belief systems stemmed from a direct relationship with Nature. They often would not make a move without the advice of Mother Nature.

Ref: The Herbal Guide, Topics Entertainment, Renton, WA.
http://www.topics-ent.com

---

 

In future weeks, we will explore the many facets of Herbs and Herbology. Included will be:

• Tips for brewing your own Herbal concoctions.
• Recipes and uses of Herbs in your everyday life.
• Ways to Health from Herbs.
• How to grow and collect your Herbs.
• And many more topics.

To navigate this page, click on any of the active (underlined) subjects in the above bulleted list.  You will be taken to the spot on this page which covers the subject.

Be sure to take notes for your own use.

From a holistic perspective, the basic way of using herbs is to take them internally since it is from within that healing takes place. The ways of preparing internal remedies are numerous, but with all of them, it is essential to take care with the process to ensure you end up with what you want.

There is a variety of preparations for taking herbal medicines internally:

1. Water-based preparations
2. Tincture preparations
3. Syrups, elixirs, and other liquid formulations
4. Fresh or dried herbs

For the beginner, the best way to start your healing with herbs is to use water-based Infusions.

Making Infusions:

If you know how to make tea then you know how to make an infusion.

It is the most simplest and common method of taking an herb.

To make an infusion:

1. Take a china or glass teapot and put about a teaspoon of the dried herb mixture into it for each cup of tea.

2. Pour a cup of boiling water in for each teaspoon of herb that is already in the pot and then put the lid on the pot.

3. Leave to steep for ten to fifteen minutes.

Infusions may be drunk hot, which is normally best for a medicinal herb tea, or cold, containing ice.

You can sweeten an infusion with sugar, sweetener, Licorice root, honey, or even brown sugar.

Another useful tool in making an infusion:

Find an old Drip style coffee maker at a garage sale. You can find them for a few dollars.

You can mix your fresh or dried herbs into the coffee filter and then brew as you would a regular pot of coffee.

I find this method to work very well and the leftover infusions can be stored in canning jars, in the refrigerator for later use.

 

Note:

Never use the same coffeemaker for your herbal infusions that you use for your morning coffee! Herbs can make a stubborn stain or taste in the plastic bin that holds the filter. It is best to have a separate coffeemaker for your herbal infusions.

Now that you have some basic skills in Herbal Infusions, go to the recipe section and start putting your herbal skills to work

Herbal Recipes:

Herbal Tea for the "Tummy"

This is an excellent and calming tea for those stubborn symptoms that we all get from over-eating or over-indulging.

For each Cup of tea you will need:*

1T Anise Seed (pimpinella anisum)

1T Fresh or dried, peppermint leaves (mentha piperita)

1T Dried Chamomile (matricaria recutita)

 

*Refer to  "Making an Infusion", in the reference article, above

Back to Recipe List

 

Tea for Headaches

This works very well for those stubborn pressure headaches that we all suffer from. Make tea bags from cheesecloth and keep them at work!

For each cup of tea you will need:*

2T dried or fresh feverfew (tanacetium parthenium)

1T caraway seeds (carum carvi)

2T dried ginseng root (panax ginseng)

1T fresh or dried ginger(zingiber officinale)

*Refer to  "Making an Infusion", in the reference article, above

Back to Recipe List

 

Energy Tea

This is a great booster when you need that extra "jump start"!

For each cup of tea you will need:*

2T dried or fresh ginseng

2T dried Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)

1T fresh or dried peppermint (mentha piperita)

2T dried ginko biloba leaves (ginko biloba)

*Refer to  "Making an Infusion", in the reference article, above

Back to Recipe List

PLEASE NOTE:  Herbal remedies should in no way be considered a substitute for treatment by a qualified physician.  The information presented here and within this website is only for reference and education.  We do not advocate self-diagnosis or self-medication.  If you have continuing symptoms of a serious nature, please seek medical advice immediately.

HerbConsultant@eGetBetter.com   or   FoodConsultant@eGetBetter.com

Come back and visit us soon!