Medicinal herbs for healing should be manufactured using fresh plants, herbs, seeds and fruits, all of these are provided by mother nature for our use. Thousands of years of development of preparing medicinal herbs have placed herbal medicines into a relatively safe zone that has great benefit to mankind. There are of course herbal medicines on the market today that have been manufactured carelessly and can contain harmful ingredients or chemicals, so it is always safer to consult with a qualified naturopath or doctor before consuming herbal products, especially if you are taking prescription medications, or you are pregnant; some herbal products interact negatively with prescribed medication and some can be harmful to pregnant women.
For some disorders or ailments of the body you can make your own herbal concoctions that are very effective. However, it is important to have a good knowledge of the process of making your own herbal medicine, otherwise the trouble and effort you make to grow or acquire your ingredient will go to waste. Be aware though that herbal medicine as opposed to modern drugs take time to show their full healing effect as they work in a more subtle way.
Preparing herbal medicines
When preparing your own herbal remedies it is important that you use non-metallic or enamel pots and utensils.
Infusions
They are mostly tea-like beverages that are made by combining fresh herbs and boiled water. The common method is steeping. Typical ratios are about 1/2 or one ounce of herbs to one pint of boiled water. The mixture should be allowed to steep for at least 10 minutes. After that, you should strain the infusion into a cup. Cold extracts make use of cold water instead of boiling water. The advantage is that unlike boiling some of the more volatile ingredients in herbs are not wasted in the extraction process. To prepare cold extracts, double the amount of herbal material and let it sit in cold water for about 12 hours then strain the mixture before drinking.
Decoction
This is a method of preparation that focuses on extracting mineral salts rather than vitamins. You should boil 1/2 ounce of herbs with one cup of water for 4-5 minutes. Steep the mixture for a couple of minutes before using it. Juice from herbs should not be made in a blender. Just chop and crush the herbs to squeeze out the juice. Add some water to this concentrate and then squeeze some more, drink it immediately. Do not store juice extracted this way. Powder can be made from grinding your herbs when they are dried. The powder can then be taken with water, milk, or soup. Ointments can be prepared by adding olive oil to a previously prepared decoction and then putting it on simmer until the water has evaporated. Beeswax may be included to improve consistency. Essence can be prepared by dissolving one ounce of essential herbal oil in a pint of alcohol.
Some Simple Chinese Herbal Remedies you can try at home to improve blood circulation
To promote blood circulation, relieve bloating of the stomach and vomiting:
Ingredient:
Turmeric rhizomes (your can buy these fresh from your supermarket and are also easy to grow in your garden)
Rock sugar
Preparation:
- Rinse the tumeric rhizomes and place in a pot with adequate amount of cold water for 30 minutes
- Bring to the boil then lower the heat and decoct for 30 minutes
- Put through a strainer when cool
- Add rock sugar to taste
To reduce phlegm, promote blood circulation, reduce tightness of the chest, pain in the joints or traumatic injury
Ingredients:
- 6 gms.Tangarine pith
- 10 gms. Turmeric rhizome
- Brown sugar to taste
Preparation:
- Place the tangerine pith and turmeric rhizome into a pot with an adequate amount of cold water and soak for 30 minutes
- Bring to the boil then cook over medium heat for 30-60 minutes
- Add Sugar to taste
There are a multitude of books on herbal medicine. Complementary medicine and holistic therapies have been used for thousands of years in China and India. In fact, since the dawning of mankind this was the only form of treatments used for healing until 150 years ago. My favorite books for Chinese herbal medicine are a series of books related to specific ailments “Essential Chinese Medicine“, produced by the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
| This is a serious work of the Chinese academy of Traditional Medicine of Beijing, it is a needed piece to understand the laberintic-like acupuncture theory, for the medical doctor that uses acupuncture as a help, not a life style but a every day help in the art of cure. | |
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| For those of us who consider not only our physical relationships to the herbs, but also the metaphysical ones, this book is invaluable. It is very affirming that when we work closely with nature and the energies of the herbs and herbal medicine, we all are much better off. | The book is very well written and easy to read with clear instruction for making internal and external remedies. There are sections on infused oils, creams, first aid, children, tinctures, food as medicine and many others. Each is very helpful ready reference when you are making your own remedies at home. |
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