Medicine doesn't have to be complicated. Plants have the power to shift things from within in gentle yet powerful ways. Some effects are quick, providing relief of symptoms like pain or digestive upset while others take their time to address root issues deep within that have built up over months or years.
So how can we take our herbs?
𝙏𝙚𝙖 / 𝙏𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙚
Infused fresh or dry herbs in water. Time varies based on herb, but generally infuse aromatic or bitter herbs 7-10min, others for 15min +
This is an easy and common way to take herbs, great for kids and enjoyable when the herbs taste good!
𝙉𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣
Mineral rich herbs including Nettles, Clover or Oats infused in water for 4-12hrs. This makes a fantastic infusion for rebuilding and maintaining minerals and vitamins in the body any time, but especially popular during pregnancy and postpartum care, in cases of osteoporosis and in recovery from injury. As we're all often depleted of mineral and vitamins, drink yours from the source if you can! Check out Susun Weed's page for more info! http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙗 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙊𝙞𝙡𝙨
This is my favourite way to use herbs! Quality fats or oils infused with herbs for over 4-6 weeks and strained. My favourite use for this is body oiling which I do daily with myself or with my kids. You can also infuse oils or animal fats (in a slow cooker on low 4hrs) for use in salads or cooking in general. Our facial serums are also infused oils, but the herbs and oils used are of a specific grade and type for the face.
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙨 / 𝙊𝙭𝙮𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙨
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar infused with fresh or dry herbs for 4 weeks. I love to add raw honey to this making it an oxymel. These vinegars can be used straight via a dropper 1-3x daily depending on need or used to boost your salad dressing, soups or stews with added herbal benefits. APV is especially good at extracting minerals fyi!
𝙏𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 / 𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙭𝙞𝙧𝙨
These are potent extracts made by infusing alcohol with fresh or dry herbs for 4-12 weeks depending on alcohol type. Used for acute or chronic conditions or general support, these extracts are usually taken by the drop (3-50 drops depending) 1-3x/day or as needed. I like to add a little honey for palatability.
𝙂𝙡𝙮𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚
Organic, food-grade vegetable glycerine infused with fresh or dry herbs for 4-6 weeks makes a sweet and tasty extract. This is a great non-alcoholic option for adults and children especially if you procrastinate on the less tasty ones. Generally less potent that tinctures and vinegars.
𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮
The tastiest of all options! These herbed honeys are not strained infusions, but rather made with high quantities of dry, powdered herbs mixed with raw honey and left to infuse and taken by the spoonful. I like to use these to make a quick tea or to mix in oatmeal.
𝙇𝙤𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨
Made with sugar and/or fats mixed with fresh or dried/powdered herbs and frozen or set, these are tasty little treats are best used for coating dry throats. You can find many recipes for making these at home, I often just mix coconut oil or ghee with powdered herbs and maple syrup and freeze them in candy molds, keeping them in the fridge for long term storage. Yum.
𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨
An energetic form of healing, essences work on the energetic and emotional bodies using the vibration of the plants used. Made by infusing flowers or other plant parts live or freshly gathered into water left in the sun and then diluted with alcohol and used in minuscule amounts to shift the vibration of specific emotions and states to bring about wellness. Read more about essences here and our Courage My Love flower essence blend.
There are many more, but this is enough to digest (lol) for the moment.
How do you like to take your herbs? Reach out and let me know!