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BOLUS
A suppository shaped lozenge intended for use in the vagina or rectum. May be used to pull out toxic substances or to carry healing herbs. Generally made with a carrier herb such as slippery elm and a solid fat, they are cooled until they can be shaped, and then allowed to harden at room temperature. The fat melts at body temperature, allowing the herbs to come in contact with tissues and then run out.
CAPSULES
Ground herbs are inserted into hard gelatin capsules. A very convenient way to take herbs, and useful for herbs that would be unpleasant to taste, but the body may not be able to extract all the active ingredients from whole ground herbs.
COMPOUND
Any preparation that involves two or more herbs. Be aware that the effects of two herbs may or may not be simply additive when taken together...the ingredients could cancel or enhance each other's effects.
COMPRESS
See FOMENTATION.
CONCENTRATE
A fluid extract of herbs that is strengthened by allowing the fluid to evaporate; this may be accomplished by allowing alcohol to evaporate at room temperature, or by simmering water extracts until fluid volume is reduced.
DECOCTION
A water-based preparation to extract active compounds of herbs, made by boiling the plant parts for some period. This method is used to prepare water extracts of the coarse and heavy parts of plants, including roots, seeds, bark, and chips. (see INFUSION for how to prepare fluid extracts of leaves and flowers.) Generally must be used within 24 hours. Longevity may be enhanced by refrigeration or preservatives such as glycerine.To prepare a day's supply, put about 90 g of plant material into a stainless steel, porcelain, or Pyrex pot and add 1L cold water. Cover while bringing to a boil and simmering for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to body temperature and strain into a container.
Decoctions and infusions may be drunk as teas, hot or cold. They may be used in baths, hip-baths, sitz-baths, foot-baths, sponge baths, enemas, douches, eye-washes, gargles, fomentations, or compresses. They may be combined in compounds, ointments, lotions, liniments, etc.
ENEMA
A large amount (3-8 cups) of fluid introduced into the rectum through an enema tube. Generally used for cleansing the bowel, although medicated enemas are also used. For medicated enemas, a water preparation such as an infusion or decoction is used. Enemas are usually introduced at body temperature or slightly above.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Special preparations which extract the volatile components of aromatic herbs. Generally distilled, but can also be prepared by pressing, maceration, or effleurage. Produces a very concentrated "oil" that has a distinctive scent responsible for its healing properties. Although called "oils" these liquids are not fatty, and good quality essential oils will not leave a fat ring on paper when they dissolve. Used in strengths of 1-3% in massage oils or used in baths (about 10 drops), steams (3-5 drops), or compresses (2-3 drops).Essential oils are the products used in the area of plant medicine known as "aromatherapy." As well as the preparations mentioned above, these oils can exert a beneficial effect when allowed to evapourate in a room, scenting it. The dispersal process can be enhanced using heat, as in putting the oils into a ring placed on a lightbulb or into a waterbath placed over a candle, or by forceful expulsion into the air, by means of pump diffusers.
EXPRESSION
See JUICE.
EXTRACT
A preparation made by using any of a number of solvents ( eg. water, alcohol, glycerine, oil, fat, etc.) to extract the essential medicinal constituents of a herb. A water or alcohol extract may contain different constituents than an oil extract of the same herb, and both may be used for different purposes.HEATED EXTRACTS are prepared by simmering or boiling a herbal agent in solvent, and COLD EXTRACTS are prepared by putting about twice as much herbal material as for an infusion into cold solvent and allowing it to sit for 8-12 hours. It is generally best to prepare any extract at the coolest temperature that will allow extraction of the desired ingredients. Always use covered vessels to avoid losing volatile components.
A STANDARDISED EXTRACT is one prepared to guarantee a specific concentration of a particular active substance; many commercial preparations are standardised extracts.
FLOWER ESSENCE
Strictly speaking, this is not a herbal preparation, because virtually no plant material is present in a flower essence. It is made by picking the flowers at a time when they are at their peak vitality, and floating them in a bowl of spring water for 2-6 hours in the sun or moonlight. The essential energies of the flowers are absorbed into the water during this time, helped by the action of the light. Flower essences are believed to exert a beneficial effect by working on an energetic level in the aura.The fluid carrying these energies is preserved by the addition of 40% alcohol, making the Mother Tincture. Three drops of this mixture is added to 1 ounce of another 40% alcohol mixture to make the Stock Bottle. Stock strength essences are available from a number of companies. The dosage bottle is made by adding three drops of a Stock solution to one ounce of water, and preserved with one teaspoon of brandy. Up to six different stock essences can be combined in a Dosage Bottle, depending on the current need of the recipient. This mixture is taken by placing four drops under the tongue four times daily.
FLUID EXTRACTS
Technically, an extract prepared in alcohol or glycerine, as opposed to a water extract.
FOMENTATION
A herbal preparation made by dipping a piece of natural fibre fabric in an infusion, decoction or other water extract, wringing it out so it doesn't drip, and placing it on the body. This technique is used to draw out poison, reduce inflammation, or reduce pain. Usually applied as hot as can be tolerated. A hot apple cider vinegar fomentation is often used for arthritis. Also called a COMPRESS.
INFUSION
Water is poured over herbs and they are allowed to steep, like making tea. Infusions are made from the more delicate parts of a plant like leaves and flowers.A STANDARD INFUSION is made by pouring 1 cup of boiling water for each 30 grams of herbal material over the herb, and allowing it to steep, covered, for 15-20 minutes. The liqiud is strained and drunk hot. A day's supply can be made at one time; it may be stored in the refigerator and heated prior to use. Non-standard HOT INFUSIONS can be made in this way using other proportions of herb to water if such is indicated for the herb in question.
A COLD INFUSION is made using the same proportions of herb to cold water,
and allowing it to steep in a sealed container for 6-12 hours.
See DECOCTIONS for the different ways
infusions can be used.
INJECTION
A small (1-2 cup) enema or douche.
JUICE
Also called an EXPRESSION, a juice is made by pressing juice from a fresh
herb. Can be prepared with an electric or hand juicer, or a press. Can
be made by placing the herb in muslin and grinding with a pestle. Often
considered the best way to extract the healing properties of a herb.
LINIMENT
A liquid or semi-liquid preparation of a herb intended for application by
massage. Could be an oil, tincture, or liquid. Usually used as an anodyne or
counter-irritant.
LOZENGES
Finely ground herbs are mixed in some mucilage-rich preparation such as
Slippery Elm, Marshmallow root, or Gum Tragacanth and shaped into "pills"
for oral consumption.
MACERATION
Synonymous with COLD INFUSION.
OIL
Prepared by mixing the herb, crushed or whole, with a botanical oil to extract the fat soluble components. Two parts of oil to one part of herb is the ideal ratio for many herbs. Use a high quality cold-pressed oil and be sure herbs are free of moisture. Usually allowed to steep for several days and then strained.
OINTMENT
Soft, semi-solid preparations prepared with a solid fat and beeswax. Generally prepared using infusions or decoctions heated with oil to evaporate the water, then adding lard or lanolin, then beeswax. A bit of tincture of Benzoin is often added as a preservative.Generally, prepare water or liquid extracts of the herbs that are to be the active ingredients, and place in pot with 90 g lard or vegetable fat and 90 ml almond oil. One could substitute lanolin, wheatgerm oil, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, or Evening Primrose oil for some of the almond oil to make an ointment more nourishing to the skin. Heat at the lowest heat that will allow the fat to melt, until the water has simmered completely away, leaving the herbal components incorporated in the fat; you have reached this point when bubbling stops. At this point, add 60 grams or parafin or beeswax and stir until melted and completely blended. If a perishable base is used, add a drop of tincture or oil of benzoin as a preservative. Pour the mixture into a sterile container and allow to set. Ointment can be made harder by using more wax or softer by adding more solid fat.
POULTICE
A soft, semi-solid, usually heated herbal mass is spread on a cloth, wrapped in it, and then applied to the body. Different from a FOMENTATION in that herb parts are included in the poultice. Acts to draw out poison, reduce inflammation, or reduce pain. Some hot herbs such as mustard are used in poultices as counter-irritants.
SALVE
Prepared as described above for an OINTMENT, but generally with less beeswax to be slightly softer.
SYRUP
A sweet, sticky herbal preparation designed to make strong flavoured herbs palatable for children or fussy adults. May be made by boiling herbs in honey or glycerine, or by adding these sweeteners to extracts.
TINCTURE
Fluid extracts using alcohol, glycerine, or vinegar. Typically made by steeping one part herb in two parts of effluent for ten to fourteen days, shaking daily. The extracting liquid actually acts as a preservative, and alcohol tinctures have a virtually perpetual shelf-life. Witches like to prepare these mixtures at the new moon and let them mature until the full moon, when they are strained.