Course Index
Herb Index
Medicine Making

Herbal Preparations
and Medicine Making

We are as much a product of our herbal preparations as they are a product of us. Creating medicines creates a medicine maker. We are all potential medicine makers. I can usually tell when I wake up whether it is going to be a good day for making medicine. Before beginning, I visualize the process in my mind, making notes of the supplies I will need. It is ideal to have a special space set up with all your tools for making medicines, otherwise you can improvise. Sometimes I make tinctures right in the forest where I harvest the herbs. 

Medicine making is an art. We can isolate and duplicate all the components of a Stradivarius violin but we cannot reproduce one. Every person, plant, day and moment is unique. Cherish that uniqueness! No two people will make a herbal preparation the same and no one has the final word on what is THE right way. 

My definition of an herbalist is one who has a vital link to Nature and helps others to bond with her. Making medicines is a process that deepens and strengthens your contact with Nature and her marvelously enchanting ways. Making medicine is a healing process. You needn't be a medicine maker to be an herbalist but it helps to be familiar with the process and certain that the medicines you are using are of the highest quality. I personally encourage you to go through the medicine making process so that you will develop a feeling for the art. 

Your Herbal Medicines can only be as Good as the Quality of the Herbs you Use!

I prefer wildcrafted herbs if they are harvested ecologically. Next are the ones that have been carefully and lovingly cultivated. It is good to talk to your plants and tell them of your INTENT in growing and harvesting them. Choose ones grown with good intent and high standards. 

Infusion: Water Extraction

Standard Infusion: 1 tsp. (5ml) to 1 cup (250ml) of boiling water. Steep 5 to 10 min.

Medium Infusion:- 2 tsp to 1 cup 

Strong infusion:- 4 tsp to 1 cup 

Do This! 

Exercise 9 • Solar Infusion: Sun & Water extraction

Place some of your favourite herbs (preferably volatile leaves and flowers) dry or fresh in a clear glass jar with cold water. Leave out in the direct sun for at least 4 hrs., preferably between 10 & 2. For added strength you can place your favourite crystal in the jar while it is brewing. 

Lunar infusion - to capture the power and magic of a full moon do the same except you will place the jar in the rays of moonlight. Best with fresh picked flowers.

Decoction: Usually used for tough leaves, roots, some berries and barks. Same proportions as infusion except you simmer the herbs for a given time. e.g. Hawthorn

Tincture: 

Do This! 

Exercise 10 • Making a Tincture: Alcohol Extraction

Dried Herb 1:5 Ratio 40% Menstrum

• Purchase yourself a bottle of Vodka.
  
  
• Get six ounces of an herb that you use regularly.
  
  
• Measure out 30 fluid ounces of Vodka and pour into a large mouth jar.
  
  
• Powder, grind or cut up fine the six ounces of herb.
  
  
• Now add the herb to the alcohol.
  
  
• Put on a tight leak prove lid and seal.
  
  
• Label the tincture.
  
  
• Leave in a convenient place where you can shake it twice a day. Make sure that all the herb is submerged in the alcohol. Depending on the herb you chose you may need to add a little more Vodka if it all gets absorbed. You wants some fluidity and washing motion when you shake it.
  
  
•   After two weeks minimum (some can be left for months) strain through silk or fine cheese cloth.
  
  
• Bottle and label. You now have your own tincture.
  
  
• Keep a file card on your procedure and make notes on what you might do different next time. Experiment with leaving the herbs in different lengths of time for varying strengths.
  
  
•   Make small batches of as many herbs as you can to gain experience (the best teacher). Use small jars. Practice makes good medicine. Keep clear notes.

Fresh Herb TINCTURE 

• determine by weighing amount of fresh herb that fits into jar chopped up real fine
• measure amount of alcohol needed to cover the herb with 1 inch over top of herb
• divide weight into volume to establish ratio

many books suggest a 1:2 Ratio which we find unrealistic for most herbs

Menstrum: % depends on herb

Saturation Tincture: amount of herb that will fit into established amount of menstrum

Glycerine Tincture: 6 parts vegetable glycerine\4 parts water

6 parts vegetable glycerine\3 parts water\1 part alcohol

Use glycerine mix in place of Alcohol

Vinegar: (Tincture)

Use same instructions as fresh tincture but use apple cider vinegar as menstrum. Buy a high quality organic vinegar. For nutritive herbs like Nettles, Horsetail, Alfalfa or Red Clover you can make a saturation vinegar. Don't worry about proportions, just add as much herb as will fit and still allow the liquid to move around. Make small batches of a lot of different herbs. Experiment!

Liniment: 

Oil: 

r  Bottle (dark jars), cap tightly, label and store in a dark cool place. 

r  Make notes of your experiment. You are now becoming an alchemist.

Salve: 

Do This! 

Exercise 11 

• Turn your Herbal Oil into a Salve 

Take 1 cup of herbal oil and warm up. Add 1 oz. wt. of grated bees wax a little at a time. Before you add all the wax test the consistency. Take a spoon (that you have had in the freezer) and put a small amount of the mixture on it. Keep adding the wax until you get the desired consistency. Pour into containers and let sit. You can add a drop or 2 of essential oil at this point if you want. Label.

Syrup:

Make a strong decoction by simmering the herbs to the desired strength. You can sample the brew until it tastes right to you. Add one fourth honey of the total amount you've got. This will usually keep for the duration of a cough or cold. Keep in the fridge. Great for making cough medicine. 

Honey preparation: 

Bolus: 

Clay: 

Capsules: 

Do This! 

Exercise 12 • Making your own Capsulated Herbs 

Fill a bowl with the powdered herb or herbs. Remove the small end of the capsule and press the other end into the herbs until it is full then put small end back on. Label, date, store in air tight container in dark place. Use ASAP.

Juice:

Do This! 

Blend the fresh herb of your choice with your favourite juice. When using your juicer add fresh herbs to any juice you are making. Using a wheat grass juicer you can juice the more succulent herbs directly. You can freeze them for future use. Ice cube trays make good proportions. I prefer them fresh.

Soups: 

Smudge: 

Wine: