Herbalism in practice

Anyone can become a small scale or self-made herbalist. The person only needs to study and practice to achieve mastery.

And professional herbalists often dedicate more time and study to the healing properties of plants, developing new searching methods of applying herbs in the body.

The most common methods of using plants and herbs

Next, we briefly gathered some of the most common methods used to apply plants and herbs in the body. We hope this information can be of interest for our readers, and that may lead some of you to embrace herbal remedies on a more regular basis.

But in case the person doesn't have enough knowledge about this area, it's always convenient to consult a professional herbalist!

Teas

All countries and cultures are familiar with teas and herbal infusions. Teas can easily be made at home, by recurring to simple infusions or decoctions of plants in water.
These can be prepared, served and drunk normal, iced or hot.

Oils

Plant based oils, are essentially made by mixing up fresh harvested plants to natural or vegetable oils.
But oil mixes can also be made by using essential oils blended to vegetable or carrier oils.

Ointments

Ointments can be made by adding up fat or waxes to infused oils, or by heating up the botanicals in certain fats.

Infusions

Infusions are created by soaking up the plant or parts of the plant, in a liquid or water. The result will be an herbal tea or tisane. Infusions are teas made out of flowers, leaves and stems of plants.

Decoctions

Decoctions are tea-like liquids, made by adding up some plants or parts of the plant to water ex: barks, roots, twigs, berries, herbs, species etc.
Decoctions are often used for hard substances like roots or barks, whilst infusions are normally used for softer herbs and materials.

Syrups

Syrups are made by adding up honey or sugar to boiling infusions, decoctions or juices.

Lohocs

Lohocs are something to be licked up, and are viewed as thick sugar or honey syrups.

Tinctures

Tinctures are made by soaking up the plant or its parts in pure alcohol. The plant will then release a tincture, that can be used for medicinal purposes.

Tonic or Spiced Wines, etc.

These are made by steeping herbs and spices in wine and ciders.

Vinegars

Are made by infusing hot steeping plants into vinegars. These vinegars have agreeable flavours, and can be used directly in our food and to season salads.

Poultices & Plasters

Poultices and plasters are generally the same thing. They are viewed as mashed or heated plants or plant parts, applied to the skin as a dressing.

Compresses or Fomentations

Compresses and fomentations, are made by soaking up cloths in an infusion or decoction of a plant or plant parts.

Troches

Are pastes with powdered herbs that look like little cakes.