herbals

Ananda's Herbals

Recipes from the rainbow's end

Some of the old favourites that Granny used.

Making your herbal remedies

Tincture

This is made by steeping the dried or fresh herbs in a 25% mixture of alcohol

and water water. Any part of the plant can be used. Each tincture should be made

from an individual herb. Vodka is ideal as it contains few additives although rum helps

to disguise the flavour of some of the unpleasant tasting plants.

200g dried herb or 600 g of fresh herbs to 1 litre of 25% alcohol/water.

(dilute a 75cl bottle of vodka with 37.5 ml water)

Put the herb in large jar and cover with the vodka/water mix.

Seal and leave in cool place for 2 weeks. Shake occasionally.

Strain into a jelly bag of muslin and then press through a wine press into a jug.

Pour the strained liquid into clean dark glass bottles.

Standard dose 5 ml 3 times a day in water or fruit juice.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ointment

This contains only oils or fats and consequently does not blend with the

skin but forms a separate layer over it. These are suitable for use when the

skin is weak or soft or where protection is needed. Use petroleum jelly or paraffin

wax to make these.

Melt the wax or jelly in a bowl over boiling water, stir in the herbs and heat gently

for about 2 hours or until the herbs are crisp. Pour this through muslin but wear

rubber gloves as you will now squeeze the liquid into another jug and it is hot.

Pour then into clean jars.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Decoction

Use this for roots, barks, twigs. 30 g dried herb or 60 g fresh herb to 750 ml water.

Heat the herb in cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for about 1 hour

until the volume has reduced by 1/2. Then strain through a sieve into a jug or teapot.

Drink hot or cold Dosage - 1 cup or wine glass about 3 times a day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Oils

Rosemary oil. Use the leaves and stems to make the oil and add 10 drops

to a bath to soothe your aching limbs.Especially after gardening.

Massage oil. Dilute 1 ml rosemary oil in 25 ml almond oil and massage those

those aching joints.Se on the temples if you have a headache.

Comfrey Oil - Use the leaves to make oil for arthritic joints, and bruises.

Very good also for bunions.

Chickweed oil - Use the oil instead of cream to soothe skin rashes

or add 1 - 2 tsp to a bath for eczema.

Infusions

Anglica - take a standard dose of the leaves for indigestion.

Borage leaves- useful for feverish colds.

Calendula officinalis - Pot Marigold - Infuse the petals for

menapausal problems and period pains.

Camomile - Take an infusion of the flowers for irritable bowel

syndrome, poor appetite and indigestion. Far better for

than tea or coffee, it can be sweetened with honey if

desired. Have a cup at night to relax and aid sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whilst these remedies can be very beneficial to aid various

conditions, we strongly believe and advocate that regular

medical help and advice from your doctor(s)

should continue to be sought and followed.

Karen Smith and must not be reproduced without permission.