Traditional forms of herbs preparation

Infusion

Infusion is the most frequent form of preparation of gentle flowers, tops, leaves and freshly ripped herbs. We usually use for preparation 1 cubic part of powdered (so 2 cubic parts of cut drug – dried herb) on 32 cubic parts of water. It correspondents – for a better imagination to quantity of 1 teaspoon of powdered (2 teaspoon of cut drug – dried herb) on 6 - 8 cubic ounce (1,75 - 2,32 dcl) of water. Warer should have temperature about 80°C, which means before boiling (not boiling). We usually water the drug, leave it for 5 - 10 minutes and then decant and sip. To increase the effect we can moisten the herb in a smaller quantity of cold water (several drops) before preparation.  It is recommended to drink the infusion in the day of preparation (prepare 600 ml. - 1 ltr. of infusion). Keep in flask during the day. Can be flavoured with bee honey.

Decoct

We usually use for preparation 1 cubic part of powdered (so 2 cubic parts of cut drug – dried herb) on 32 cubic parts of water. It correspondents – for a better imagination to quantity of 1 teaspoon of powdered (2 teaspoon of cut drug – dried herb) on 6 - 8 cubic ounce (1,75 - 2,32 dcl) of water. We moisten the dried herb, mix with cold water and get to boiling. We boil on an easy fire (under cover) 20 - 30 minutes. For roots and crusts it is recommended to fulfil the decrease of water when boiling to original cubage (adding water). On the contrary, we do not fulfil the decrease at cut tops, leaves or flowers. Then we filter the infusion, eventually flavour and sip. To increase the effect we can moisten the herb in a smaller quantity of cold water before boiling (macerating) for 1-2 hours, especially crusts or roots. It is recommended to drink the infusion in the day of preparation (prepare 600 ml. - 1 ltr. of infusion). Keep in flask during the day. Can be flavoured with bee honey.

Strong infusion

In dependence on used drug (dried herb) two ways of preparation of strong infusion are recommended. The first is to prolong the time of boiling. It is used especially for crusts, roots when we have bigger uncomminuted pieces, requiring longer time for releasing active  parts into infusion. The second way of preparation (when we use small pieces but though we want to achieve a stronger effect) we moisten the drug night before preparation and the next morning we continue in the preparation by boiling. In both cases it is recommended to get by pressure on extracted drug as much fluid as possible after decanting.

Tincture

We usually use for preparation 1 cubic part of dried herb with 4 parts of alcohol with concentration about 50% (frequent combinations of 1 cubic part of herb with 2 cubic parts of alcohol and 2 cubic parts of water). We leave it in a closed bottle of dark-brown colour for 14 days and shake every day. After 14 days we filter and put again into the bottle at room temperature. Tincture is the best way of preparation at some drugs as the active substances that are not hydrosolvent will get into alcohol. This tincture is added into a tea or water, daily doses are  30 -60 drops (1 - 2 ml.) 2 - 3 times daily.

Macerating

It is the simpliest method of preparation. In usual ratio (mentioned above) the dried herb is mixed with cold water and is left to infuse during night. Then it is being decant and sipped. This way the active substances can also get into water (that could be damaged by alcohol or temperature). This way we can convert also tablets or capsules.

Bath and herb preparations for washing

Other method used in native medicine of aboriginal communities is herb bath. This method influences not only skin but also blood system – via skin and hypodermis. Fresh herbs are usually used at aboriginal conditions but our alternative can be adding 0,6 - 0,8 ltr of strong infusion. The time spent in the bath should be at least 10 minutes.