The Healing Remedies Sourcebook: Over 1,000 Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments. C. Shealy Norman

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СКАЧАТЬ herb

       Pour decoction into a clean bottle

       Will keep in a refrigerator for two or three days

       Dose

       ⅓ cup twice a day for normal conditions, and as a tonic

       ⅓ cup three to six times a day for acute conditions

      Decoctions can be diluted with an equal amount of water and used in the same ways as water infusions for hand baths, gargles, etc.

      WATER - SIMPLE SYRUPS AND HONEYS

       Method

       Make standard decoction with 1½oz. (40g) herb and 3 cups (750ml) water

       Return to heat, remove lid, and simmer gently till liquid is reduced to 1 cup (250ml), which may take a few hours

       Add 2¼ cups (600g) honey or 2 cups (500g) sugar, stirring until completely dissolved

       Pour into clean bottle, label, and date

       Standard adult dose

       2 teaspoons 3 to 6 times a day

       Children under five

       1 teaspoon three times a day

      Syrups and honeys can be used to sweeten other herbal preparations, or added to food or drink. They are ideal for children because they are sweet.

      ALCOHOL - TINCTURES

      A tincture is an alcohol-based herbal preparation. Tinctures can be made with fresh or dried herbs. The absolute strength of the alcohol needed varies slightly depending on the herb, but the method given below is sufficient for standard home use.

       Method

      To make 1¼ cups (300ml) of tincture:

       Chop 2 tablespoons (12g) dried or 1oz. (25g) fresh herb

       Put in large glass jar

       Cover with ¾ cup (200ml) alcohol, such as vodka or brandy, and 6 tablespoons (100ml) water

       Put on a lid and leave for two weeks

       Shake occasionally

       After two weeks, strain well through a muslin bag

       Squeeze out the liquid

       Pour into clean, amber glass bottle. Label and date

       Keep in a cool place away from children

       Will keep indefinitely

       Standard adult dose

       1 teaspoon 3 times a day, standard

       5 drops to 1 teaspoon a day as a tonic

       1 teaspoon 6 times a day for acute conditions

      A tincture can be diluted with water: 2 teaspoons to 1 cup water can be used as a skin lotion, wash, foot bath, gargle, compress, or douche.

      OIL - LINIMENT

      A liniment is a soothing rub to relieve fatigued and stiff muscles and joints. Put the fresh herb in a jar and cover with olive oil. Leave for up to six weeks. Strain the mixture through a cloth. Stand until the oil separates off: use this.

      OIL

      Oil is soothing and nourishing for the skin, and acts as a lubricant to carry the active principles of the herbs in rubs, massage oils, and salves. There are two methods of infusion, hot and cold. Hot is used for thyme, rosemary, comfrey root, and spices such as cayenne, mustard, and ginger. Cold is used for flowers.

      INFUSED OIL

       Method

      To make 1 cup (250ml):

       Chop 3 tablespoons/¼ cup dried herbs or spices, or 6 tablespoons/½ cup fresh herbs

       Put half into a clean pan with a lid

       Cover with 1 cup (250ml) pure vegetable oil (a pure and light vegetable oil is best).

       Put in a water bath and simmer gently for two hours (it is important that direct heat is not used, as this might burn the oil)

       Strain

       Throw away used herbs

       Put remaining half of unused herbs in pan

       Cover these with the oil (it will have changed color, having picked up some of the quality of the herbs)

       Replace lid and return pan to water bath for another couple of hours. Strain

       Pour oil into clean bottles, label, and date

      This double method makes a strong infused oil which can be used as it is, mixed with tincture for a liniment, or thickened with beeswax (for a thin cream, use 1 part beeswax to 10 parts infused oil; for a thick salve, use 1 part beeswax to 5 parts infused oil).

      ALCOHOL - SPICED OR TONIC WINE

      A good way to make a strengthening remedy for everyday use is to make a tonic wine. Spiced wines make good aperitifs, to stimulate and improve digestion.

       Method

       1oz. (25g) herb(s)

       1–2oz. (25–50g) spices, depending on taste

       8½ cups (2l) of wine

       Stand for two weeks

       Strain and bottle

       Dose

       ¼ cup twice a day before meals (warm water can be added).

       ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM

      YARROW

      A common wild plant with feathery leaves and white or pink flowers. Often found on lawns. In Greek myth, achillea is said to have been used by Achilles to treat his army’s wounds.

      USES

       Early stages of fevers, especially with hot, dry skin.

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