GreenWitchFantasies's Vampire Journal

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← Jun 2009

Usual Forms of Medicinal Remedies
16:38 Jul 10 2009
Times Read: 968

Here are the different forms of medicinal remedies and how to make them.

~Infusion~

Infusions are a simple way to extract the active constituents of herbs through the action of hot water. Very similar to the way we prepare tea. The method is used to extract the volatile components of the dried or green aerial parts of the green plants and leaves and flowers. Infusion may use single herbs or a blend and are taken hot or cold. Certainly, this is the most common and least expensive method of extracting the medicinal compounds of herbs.

~Decoction~

Roots, barks, and fruits being thicker and less permeable than the aerial parts of medicinal plants, do not liberate their active principles by simple infusion. It is necessary to simmer these parts in boiling water in order to extract their medicinal constituents. The materials should be cut or broken into small pieces. In order to avoid losing volatile constituents, us a lid covering the simmering pot. After cooking down and straining, decoctions can be taken hot or cold.

~Tinctures~

Most of the volatile compounds of medicinal herbs and plants are soluble in alcohol. By immersing dried or fresh herbs and parts of plants in alcohol, the active principles are easily extracted at concentrations that exceed those achieved by infusion or decoction. Highly concentrated solutions that will last for one to two years are a convenient way to store and use medicinal plant constituents. Ideally, tinctures should be made using pure ethyl alcohol distilled from cereals. However, since this products isn't available to the public, good vodka with 43% to 35% alcohol can be used. The extraction is fairly quick. A 50% mixture of herbs and alcohol kept in a tightly closed jar will hold a tincture ready for use at the prescribed dosage. NEVER use methyl alcohol, methylated spirits, isopropyl alcohol or any other kind of unknown spirit to make tinctures.

~Syrups~

With some rare exceptions, like peppermint that is a familiar flavoring agent in toothpaste and chewing gum, infused or decocted herbs are not real palatable, especially for children. In order to disguise their taste, infusions and decoctions can be mixed with honey or unrefined sugar from cane. These syrups combine the soothing action of these solvents to the medicinal properties of the infusions and decoctions resulting in additional benefits especially for treating coughs and colds and sore throats.

~Infused Oils~

Pure vegetable oils like sunflower, almond and olive oil are easily found at grocery stores. They have the property of dissolving the active, fat-soluble active principles of medicinal plants and herbs. This process is called infusion and an be carried out at room temperature or higher. Infusion is a slower process than alcohol extraction but has the advantages of resulting in an oil based solution of medicinal constituents that can easily be used to make creas and ointments. Hot infusion is recommended for the harder parts of the plants while cold infusion is more suitable for flowers and leaves.

More to come....Stay tuned....

COMMENTS

Making Herbal Salves
19:10 Jul 06 2009
Times Read: 973

I'm not one to measure out ingredients...I'm more of a "dumper" so I'll do my best to tell you how to make salves that turn out right!

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

First of all, you need to gather your ingredients before you begin. You don't want to be in the middle of making the salve and have to leave to find something.

You'll need:

A medium saucepan

A glass pyrex measuring graduate *large*

a wooden spoon

the herbs you are working with

Beeswax (for thickening)

Carrier oil (I used extra virgin Olive oil, you can also use Almond Oil, Coconut Oil etc.)

Essential oils, if needed

storage containers (Small plastic jars)

1. In the saucepan, add about 1 cup of the herb or mixture of herbs you'll be using. Pour enough carrier oil over them so that they're just covered by the oil. Turn the burner on the lowest setting and let the herbs steep in the warm oil for about 2 hours. (If you notice that the herbs are "frying" or "cooking" turn down the heat or remove the pan from the burner)

2. Next, after the herbs have infused in the oil, you'll want to strain them through cheesecloth to be sure you get all the little particles out of the oil. Strain the oil into your glass pyrex graduate. Set aside. Clean your first saucepan, or use another one and fill it 1/3 full of water. Set on burner at med. to med. high heat. Set the oil-filled graduate down in the water and allow to heat for a couple minutes.

3. At this point, you may add the beeswax for thickening. I usually add about a cup to a 1 1/2 cups. It works better and melts faster if it's shredded beeswax, or pellets. Stir with the wooden spoon. Once the wax has melted, take your spoon and let a drop or two of the mixture drip on a plate. Test the consistency to see if it's thick/thin enough. If too thin, add more wax, too thick, add more olive oil.

4. After reaching desired consistency, remove from heat and add any essential oils you want to use and stir in quickly as the mixture will start to harden.

5. Quickly and carefully, pour into containers. Let set until salve sets up then cap, and store in a cool dark place. Be sure to label them!

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Now, here are a couple salve recipes:

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Calendula Salve:

(Eases skin discomfort due to rashes, chaffing, insect bites and skin disorders)

You'll need:

Calendula Infused Olive Oil (follow method for infusing herbs and oil)

Tea Tree Essential Oil (approx. 2 droppers full)

Beeswax

Follow above method for preparing the salve!

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Lavender Ointment:

(Excellent ointment for diaper rash and sunburn!)

Lavender Flowers (Infuse these in Olive oil)

Lavender Essential Oil (Approx. 20 drops)

Beeswax

Follow above procedure to make salve!

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Comfrey and Goldenseal Salve:

(Ultra healing salve for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other injuries.)

Comfrey and Goldenseal Infused Olive Oil

Lemongrass Essential Oil (approx. 20 drops)

Beeswax

Follow instructions for making salve!

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Hope you enjoy these recipes! They really work!!!

COMMENTS

Making Medicinal Oils
05:19 Jul 03 2009
Times Read: 986

Here are some methods of making medicinal herbal oils. (Infusions)

Solar Method:

Place herbs in a glass jar. Cover with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and cover tightly. Place jar in a warm, sunny spot: the warmer the spot, the less time it needs to sit. Placing the jar in nice warm sand or in the center of the garden in the sun; wait 2 weeks. Strain the herbs, you may wish to add another batch of herbs and repeat procedure. This makes a double-strength oil.

Bottle and store in a cool; dark place.

Crock Pot Method:

Place herbs in crock pot and cover with olive oil or coconut oil. Turn the heater on low and let the herbs steep for 3-4 hours. You DO NOT want the herbs to cook or fry. Let the medicinal qualities slowly suffuse into the oils. The lower the heat, the longer you let them steep, the higher quality your oil will be. Strain herbs and pour oil into a glass jar or a bottle and store in a cool; dark place.

Stove-top Method (I use this one more)

Place herbs in a medium saucepan and cover with Olive or coconut oil. Turn the burner on the lowest setting and let them herbs steep for about an hour. Like the above method, you don't want the herbs to fry or cook, so check them often. After they've steeped, strain and bottle and store in a cool; dark place.

*Note: Don't use gas burners as it's too hard to adjust the temperature and you could burn the herbs; damaging the medicinal properties of them.

Now here are a couple recipes using medicinal oils.

Ear Oil (for earaches)

1/3 cup dried Mullein flowers

1/4 cup St. John's Wort

2-3 cloves of fresh garlic

Whiz the garlic in a cup of olive oil in a blender until the garlic is in tiny pieces. Pour this mixture over the herbs and use the solar method to extract the medicinal properties. Let it set for at least 2 weeks. Strain and bottle in glass vials with droppers. Put 2 to 3 drops in the affected ear 3 times a day.

Insect Repellant Oil

1 part bay leaves

1 part pennyroyal

1 part rosemary

1 part eucalyptus

Add enough oil to cover the herbs, plus an inch or two. Prepare using any of the methods of infusion. Add a few drops of pennyroyal or eucalyptus essential olls to strengthen the scent. Strain and bottle; store in a cool, dark place.

Relaxation Oil

1 part lavender flowers

1 part catnip

1 part chamomile

lavender essential oil

Add enough oil to cover the herbs, plus an inch or two. Prepare using any of the infusion methods. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil. Strain through cheesecloth, bottle, label and date. Store in a cool dark place.

Next entry...Salve making methods...stay tuned.

COMMENTS

← Jun 2009

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