Common Herbs and Herbal Preparations
Herbs are available in a variety of forms,
including fresh, dried, in tablets or capsules, or bottled
in liquid form. You can buy them individually or in mixtures
formulated for specific conditions. Whatever type of product
you choose the quality of an herbal preparation-be it in capsule,
tablet, tea, tincture, bath, compress, poultice, or ointment
form-is only as good as the quality of the raw herb from which
it was made. Generally, herbs fall into two categories: wild-harvested
or farm-grown. A wild-harvested herb is one that grows naturally,
without human intervention. As a result of natural selection,
plants tend to be found in environments that optimise their
growth. For example, horsetail grows best in moist, swampy
areas, while arnica thrives at high altitudes in alpine meadows.
The process of gathering herbs from their natural habitats
is called wildcrafting
Administering
Herbal Treatment
Tinctures
If the label says tincture, the preparation contains alcohol.
In a tincture, alcohol is employed to extract and concentrate
the active properties of the herb. Alcohol is also a very
effective natural preservative. Because the body easily assimilates
a tincture, it is a very effective way to administer herbal
compounds. Tinctures are concentrated and cost-effective.
However, the full taste of the herb comes through very strongly
in a tincture. Children and adults may find the taste of some
herbs unpleasant. Goldenseal, for example, is bitter tasting.
Another concern when using tinctures is the presence of the
alcohol. If you wish to lessen the amount of alcohol in a
tincture before giving it to your child, mix the appropriate
dose with one-quarter cup of very hot water. After about five
minutes, most of the alcohol will have evaporated, and the
mixture should be cool enough to drink.
Fluid Extracts
Fluid extracts can be made with alcohol, like tinctures, or
the essence of the herb can be leached out with water. When
purchasing a liquid extract of a herb, the only way to be
certain of the extraction process (alcohol or water) is to
read the label. Extracts offer the same advantages and disadvantages
that tinctures do. They are the most concentrated form of
herbal treatment and therefore the most cost-effective. They
are easy to administer, but have a strong herbal taste.
Capsules and Tablets
Capsules and tablets contain a ground or powdered form of
raw herb. In general, there seems to be little difference
between the two in terms of clinical results. With the exception
of certain herbal concentrates in capsule form, both capsules
and tablets tend to be much less strong and potent than tinctures
and extracts.
Teas
There are many delicious blends of herbal teas. You'll find
loose herbs ready for steeping, herbal formulations aimed
at specific conditions, and convenient pre-bagged teas. Some
are just for sipping; some are medicinal. When your child
is ill, a comforting cup of herbal tea (medicinal or not)
is a wonderful way to give additional liquids.
.
Ointments, Salves, and Rubs
Herbs can be effectively combined into base creams consisting
of beeswax, lanolin, cocoa butter, shea butter and various
oils. Both Marigold and Comfrey are commonly found in cream
preparations along with warming herbs such as Chilli and Rosemary.
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