Herbal Medicine Making Overview

Click on the above so you can see my class handout in more detail. It's a broad overview of herbal medicine-making techniques. 

Then, click on these links for further information and directions to work with the menstruums delineated above: 

- Water menstrua 

- Sweet menstrua 

- Alcohol menstrua 

- Oil menstrua 

Explore making other things, too: 

- Herbalism Learning Models

- Incense, Flower Essences

- Lube

Energetic/ Ritualistic Plant Medicine

Energetic/ Ritualistic Plant Medicine

Jiling Lin - www.LinJiling.blogspot.com - 2015

Different types of Incense

- Loose leaf                        - Smudge bundles

- Powder                             - Kyphi/ incense cakes

- Incense cones/ sticks     - Smoking blends

Making Kyphi

Proportions

- Berries 1 (powder)               - Resin 1 (powder)

- Leaves/ flowers 3 (chopped fine)

- Roots/ bark 1/2 (chopped fine)

- Beeswax 1/2                         - Honey/ wine

Directions

- Mix dry ingredients (first powdered, then chopped)

- Slowly add honey/ wine until it binds, (but isn’t wet)

- Coat parchment paper with 1-2 inches of mix

- Warm until it all coagulates

- Press flat to dry for up to a week

- Cut into small pieces to store

- Burn on charcoal

Making Flower Essences

It’s best to make flower essences when the flower is at the peak of its blossoming, or right before the peak. Go out in the morning with pruners, undistilled spring water, and a glass bowl or jar. Approach the flower or plant that you wish to make an essence of. Ask for permission to extract its essence, in whatever way feels the best to you. I like to make a prayer of gratitude, and sit with the plant for a while, before doing anything. Maybe I’ll observe the plant, draw it, photograph it, or just meditate with it. Do whatever feels the best for you, but it’s integral to establish a healthy relationship with the plant, before you try and make medicine with it. And, do not physically touch the plant that you are planning to make medicine with.

Once you are both ready for the next step, you can fill your glass bowl with water. Once again, make sure that you do not touch the plant with your hands, through this entire process. If you do touch the plant, your own energy may affect the flower essence. You can either clip the flower directly into the water, or you can just place the flower head into the water. I like to move around the flowers with tweezers. The traditional method is to clip the flowers directly into water, and cover the surface of the water with the flowers. Do what feels the best for you, in the moment. You can even experiment with both methods, and see how the different medicines feel.

Let the flowers sit in the water, in the sunlight, uncovered in a safe and lovely spot, for 4-6 hours. This amount of time depends upon your personal preferences, belief system, and the plant itself. Herbalist Mimi Kamp suggests leaving the flower in the water until the energetic feeling of the flower essence is stronger than the energetic feeling of the plant itself. She tests this by placing her hand over the plant and feeling its energy, then placing her hand over the essence and feeling that energy. Sometimes, people can be energetically sensitive and feel these subtle differences. Sometimes, this is difficult to experience. Do what feels best for you. The one rule with making flower essences is that there is no real rule. It’s an energetic medicine, and an intuitive art.

Once your essence is ready, carefully remove the flowers from the essence. Return them back to the Earth, giving thanks for their gifts. Dilute the water essence 1:1 with brandy, or 40% alcohol. (This can be substituted with vinegar too, but alcohol lasts longer.) Now, you have your mother essence!

Bottle and label your mother essence. Preserved in alcohol, she should last for a long time, if not indefinitely. Make sure you share! We tend to make too much flower essences, for a little goes a long way.

When you are ready to use your flower essence, fill a 1 ounce tincture bottle with 1:1 spring water to brandy. Add 10-30 drops of the mother essence to your bottle. Now, you have your stock essence. This is what is usually sold in the store.

Do the same thing again to make your dosage bottle. Fill a 1 ounce tincture bottle with 1:1 spring water to brandy. This time, just add 1 drop of the stock essence into this bottle. This is the final product. This is what you will carry around in your pocket, and take 4 drops 4 times a day, or as needed.

To effect long-lasting subtle change, take 4 drops of your dosage bottle flower essence, 4 times a day. It is like a constant subtle reminder to your self, to effect long-lasting change. Flower essences can also just be taken one drop at a time, for an experience, or to help relieve acute symptoms.

Some local CT “Dreaming Herbs”

- Mugwort               - Mullein              - Monarda

- Motherwort          - Mints                  - Horehound

- Coltsfoot               - Catnip               - Nettles

- Raspberry lf         - Juniper             - Pine

Plant Connection exercises

- Plant meditation               - Draw

- Botanize                            - Breath exercise

- Sense exploration

- Plant spirit journeying (see Eliot Cowan)

- Inner child work (see Julie McIntyre)

- Oneness exercise (see Tamarack Song)

- Experiment: sleep/ dream with, ingest in all forms...

~

Resources

The amazing Kiva Rose, on kyphi: 

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/incense.html

A previous post, on dreamwork: 

http://linjiling.blogspot.com/2014/05/dreams.html

A previous post, on different forms of meditation: 

http://linjiling.blogspot.com/2015/05/meditation.html

Howie Brounstein, on herbal smokes: 

http://botanicalstudies.net/herbalism/smoking.php

Sweet Medicine (class handout)

Sweet Medicine (Class handout)

Jiling Lin 2015 - LinJiling@gmail.com - www.LinJiling.blogspot.com

How to Use

- Direct ingestion (a few drops, to 2 T)

- Blended with other menstruua (ie. Vinegar, alcohol, cooking, etc)

- Topically (ie. Facial scrubs, baths, etc)

Why to Use

- Pleasure (ie. Desserts, aphrodisiacs, general joy, etc)

- Medicine (ie. Herbal honeys, glycerites, syrups, etc)

- Pleasure medicine

Sweet Menstruums

- Honey (can last indefinitely)

- Glycerine (use within 3-4 years)

- Sugar (Syrup= use within a year)

- Anything sweet (ie. Molasses, maple syrup, etc)

Note: make sure that your equipment is sterilized. Micro-organisms love sugars; sweet medicine preparations, if not kept clean, can mold or ferment.

Methods

Honey Infusion

1. Fill jar with fresh/ dried finely chopped plant material.

2. Warm honey (via double boiler method) to 130-140 F (hot but not boiling), to liquefy.

3. Pour liquified honey over plant material, covering at least an inch over the top.

4. Infusion options:

- Slow infusion: Let sit for 2-4 weeks, or indefinitely. Useful for flowers, leaves, and other delicate plant material.

- Hot infusion via sun: Place jar in the sunlight to heat, over 2-4 weeks.

- Hot infusion via double-boiler: Place jar in a double-boiler bath (stovetop, crockpot, or other). Let heat slowly for 6-8 hours (overnight in a crockpot on low, works well.) Useful for roots and thicker plant material.

5. To strain or not to strain?

- Strain, to separate the marc from the menstruum. Retain marc in another airtight glass jar for other uses. Strained honey is clear of plant material, easy to pour and use, for formulation, cooking, etc.

- No strain: plants can remain in honey. The honey is chunky and more difficult to pour, but this is helpful if you like having plant bits in your honey, or will use the marc and menstruum together.

Honey infusion marc possibilities:

- Tea

- Cook into pastries or other desserts

- Add to incense blends

- Add into elixirs or shrubs for subtle effect

- Kombucha

- Just eat it

Glycerite

Made like a tincture, but with glycerine as the menstruum, instead of alcohol. Better with dried plant material, and undiluted glycerine. Glycerite can go bad easily with excess water. Useful for folks with blood sugar imbalances/ sensitivities, or to extract tannins. I prefer honey, otherwise.

Electuaries (honey paste)

4 fl. Oz honey: 3 T powdered herb

(1 C honey: 6 T powdered herb)

Add liquified honey to powdered herbs. Stir until evenly coated.

Pastilles

Electuaries with more powders, to form an even thicker paste-like consistency that remains in a ball, when rolled. Roll balls, let dry, then store.

Other options:

- Add powdered demulcent herbs as solidifying agents (ie. Elm, mallow root, licorice, etc.)

- Coat/ roll with other powders on the surface, to further solidify, and prevent sticking.

Syrups

1. Simmer (2 oz herb: 32 oz water) on low, down to half the original amount of water: 16 oz of strong tea.

2. Strain the herbs.

3. Add sweetener to decoction at 2:1 ratio. (32 oz honey: 16 oz strong tea) The 2:1 ratio doesn’t need refrigeration. Use less sugar, if you have access to refrigeration.

4. Keep heating, until the sweetener dissolves. Can keep cooking, to make more concentrated.

5. Optional:

- Add 3-4 T brandy (or other alcohol) per cup of syrup, as a preservative.

- Add 1-5 drops of essential oil, for a stronger flavor/ medicinal effect.

Sugar

1. Layer sugar and fresh plant material (light, such as flowers and leaves). Fill to top of jar. Cap it.

2. Options:

- Let sit. The plant marc will release their moisture into the sugar, causing a syrup to form.

- Shake twice daily. The sugar will attach onto the plant material and crystallize, creating candy-like sugarized plants. Mmm.

Considerations:

- Experiment with different types of sugar. I prefer brown sugar, which is more likely to make a syrup. White sugar is more likely to crystallize, if you shake it.

- A few floral ideas: rose petals, violets

Finishing Salt

1 part fresh herb : 1 part salt

1. Finely chop plant material, or blenderize into a powder, with salt.

2. Mix with salt.

3. Let sit in a flat pan, to dry. Drying times depends on your environmental conditions (anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks). Move the mixture around daily, to expose more surfaces to air, to dry. The salt extracts moisture, flavor, and phytochemicals from the plants, until...

4. The whole thing is dessicated, delicious, and ready to bottle.

5. Yum!

Considerations:

- Add powderized plants into the mix after finishing salts are ready, to create a salt blend. Some ideas: nettles gomasio (nettles, black sesame, cayenne, ginger), black pepper, etc.

- Aromatic herbs and spices work well, here.

With Vinegar

Oxymels/ Shrubs

1 part vinegar: 2-4 parts honey

(Can initially infuse plants with combined vinegar and honey, or combine honey infusion and vinegar infusion(s) afterwards.)

With Alcohol

Cordials

1 C drinking alcohol (ie. Brandy): 1 C sweet syrup/ concentrate (can do 1 tincture: 3 sweet menstruum)

Let sit for a long time. Can be years!

Infused Wine

Infusing herbs into a drinking wine, with the tincture. May be more tasty than a straight tincture. Can add berries and other sweet fruits, to sweeten the medicine

Elixirs

1 part honey: 2-4 parts alcohol

Make with the same technique as making tinctures. Can strain after 2-4 weeks.

Pleasure Elixirs

Add 3 tsp of pre-formulated elixir(s) to 60 oz sparkling water, for a refreshing drink.

With Chocolate

Making Chocolate from Scratch

¼ C cocoa butter                4 T cocoa powder

2 T sweetener                      ¼ tsp vanilla extract

1. Melt cocoa butter in double boiler on low heat.

2. Stir in cocoa powder.

3. Add sweetener/ vanilla.

4. Add herbs/ nuts/ seeds/ fruits/ etc. (Optional)

5. Pour into molds.

6. When solid, release from molds… and enjoy!

Using Existing Chocolate

1. Melt the chocolate.

2. Add in what you want. Here’s options:

- Add in nuts, berries, solid/ powdered herbs/ tinctures/ sweet preparations, let resolidify.

- Layer herbs (infused into sweet menstruua) onto melted chocolate that has solidified a bit. The herbs can be swirled in lightly, or completely mixed in.

- Use marc from coconut oil infusion to make chocolate. 1 Coconut oil marc : 1 Chocolate. Melt together, and mix. (ex: rose petal marc). Can also use herbally infused coconut oil.

3. Mix thoroughly, and let resolidify. (Optional: If you have molds, such as ice cube trays, then you can pour into them, and skip the next step.)

4. Score or cut in desired shapes, once chocolate is hard enough to hold its shape.

5. Let dry slowly and completely. Do not refrigerate, as elements of the chocolate may separate.

6. Enjoy.

Recipes: a few possibilities

(All plants listed in parts. Refer to directions/ proportions above, using the parts listed.)

Arabic Honey Electuary

Black pepper 1: Ginger 1: Tumeric 6-8

4 oz. Honey: 3 T herb powder blend

Sore Throat Pastilles (from Rosemary Gladstar)

- 1 licorice root powder                             - 1 comfrey root powder

- 1 elm powder                                           - 12 echinacea powder

- 1/8 goldenseal powder

Cough and Sore Throat Syrup (from Rosemary Gladstar)

- 2 elm bark                              - 2 valerian

- 2 comfrey root                        - 1 wild cherry bark

- 2 licorice root                         - 1 ginger root

- 1 cinnamon bark                    - 4 fennel seeds

- 1/8 orange peel

Some Sweet Medicine Plant Suggestions

(Loosely organized by primary plant actions. Most plants straddle multiple categories)

Anti-bacterial

- Garlic (Allium sativum)

- Onion (Allium sepa, and other Allium spp.)

- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Anti-inflammatory

- Black birch (Betula lenta)

- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

- Tumeric (Curcuma longa)

Antioxidant

- Pine needles (Pinus spp.)

- Rose hips (Rosa spp.)

Circulatory stimulant

- Black pepper (Piper nigrum)

- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

- Sage (Salvia spp.)

Digestive

- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

- Mints (Mentha spp.)

Nervine (relaxing)

- Anise star (Illicium verum)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora)

- Rose petals (Rosa spp.)
- Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

- Violets (Viola spp.)

Respiratory

- Elm (Ulmus spp.)

- Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
- Monarda (Monarda spp.)
- Osha (Ligusticum porterii)

Measurements

1 C= 8 oz

1 pint= 16 oz

1 quart= 32 oz

1 oz= 30 mL

Web Resources

Sweet medicine basics

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/sweet-medicine-an-overview-of-honeyed-healing-and-sensory-delight.html

http://theida.com/how-to-make-anisefennel-honey/

Cordial recipes

http://wigardenexpo.com/grids/679.pdf

https://theherbarium.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/cordials/

General mixology

http://www.farmtojar.com/recipes/mixology-basics-using-shrub-syrups/

Finishing salts

http://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-finishing-salts-and-white-sage/

~

(Pictured: Out-on-a-Whim Farm (Bethany, CT) maypole, bedecked with all the sweetness of spring, and new beginnings. A floral centerpiece to a grand community celebration. And this, this is what "Sweet Medicine" truly is!) 

Making Tinctures (class handout)

Standard Tincture Ratios

(Herb weight: liquid volume, % alcohol)

Fresh plants

1:2 95%

Dried plants

1:5 50%

Tincturing methods

- Weight-to-volume scientific method

- Folk method

- Percolations

Tincturing combination suggestions (optional)

- Add 10% vinegar +35% water + 55% alcohol for alkaloid-containing plants (they’re more soluble this way)

- Add 10% glycerine for tannin-containing plants (so they don’t precipitate)

Tincture usage: considerations

- Dosage and frequency

- Acute vs. Chronic

- Loading dose

- Drop test

- Formulation

Menstruum considerations for alcohol-intolerant folks

- Glycerites

- Vinegars

- Teas

- Powders

Types of alcohol

Often used:

Everclear (95% alcohol)

Vodka (100 proof is 50% alcohol)

Brandy (40- 60% alcohol)

For fun:

Gin, mead, liquor, tequila...

Note: dilute alcohol with distilled water

Fun with alcoholic preparations

- Mixology

- Elixirs (alcohol 2: sweetener 1)

- Cordial (boil 6 C sugar and 5 C water, then add plant, and 3 lemons after)

Some plants to tincture now (autumn in the Northeast)

Roots:

- Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

- Burdock (Arctium spp.)+seeds

- Docks (Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus)

- Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

- Barberry (Berberis spp.)

- Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.)

Trees (bark/ twigs)

- Willow (Salix spp.)

- Black birch (Betula lenta)

- Cherry (Prunus serotina)

- Black walnut hulls (Juglans nigra)

- Pine resin (Pinus spp.) +needles

- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) whole plant

- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Trees (leaves)

- Gingko leaves (Gingko biloba)

- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Seeds/ fruits

- Rose hips (Rosa spp.)

- Wild carrot (Daucus carota)

Leaves

- Raspberry (Rubus spp.)

- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Fire Cider (basic recipe- please modify!)

1/2 C ginger

1/2 C horseradish

1 onion

10 garlic cloves

2 cayenne peppers

1 lemon

Raw apple cider vinegar (cover)

1/4 C raw local honey

Web Resources

Making tinctures 101, by Kiva Rose

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/an-introduction-to-tinctures.html

Tincture ratios handout, by 7song

http://7song.com/files/Herbal%20Pharmacy--Tincture%20Ratios.pdf

“Solubility Chart,” for scientifically measuring tincture alcohol ratios, by Lisa Ganora

http://www.herbalconstituents.com/images/Solubility_of_constituents.pdf

See trusted herb companies for optimal ratios. An example is Herb Pharm.

http://www.herb-pharm.com/products/10

Tincture Ratios, and so much more by my teacher 7song’s teacher, Michael Moore

http://www.swsbm.com/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html

Five Flavors “Taste of Herbs” Flavor Wheel, from Rosalee de la Foret

http://www.tasteofherbs.com/standby_pages/25720

Sweet Medicine (class handout)

Sweet Menstruums

- Honey

- Glycerine

- Sugar

With Honey (or other sweetener)

Honey Infusion

Fill jar with fresh/ dried plant material. Fill again with honey, covering at least 2 inches over the top. Let sit.

- Can warm the honey (via double boiler method) to 130-140 F, to liquefy and pour over plant material.

- Plant material need not be strained from the honey. Based on personal preference.

- Can let honey infusion sit, or warm in a double boiler, or the sun. If warming with fresh herbs, then leave uncapped to let condensation evaporate.

Glycerite

Made like a tincture, but with glycerine as the menstruum, instead of alcohol. Better with dried plant material, and with undiluted glycerine. The glyerite can go bad easily, if there’s extra water content inside. Useful with nervines, combined with tinctures, or for those who don’t ingest alcohol.

Electuaries

4 fl. Oz honey: 3 T powdered herb

(1 C honey: 6 T powdered herb)

Basically, honey paste.

Pastilles

Electuaries with more powders, to form an even thicker paste-like consistency that remains in a ball, when rolled. Can add demulcent powders as solidifying agents. Can coat/ roll with other powders on the surface, to further solidify, on the surface. Let dry, then store.

Syrups

Simmer (2 oz herb: 32 oz water) down to 16 oz of strong tea. Strain the herbs, then add (8 oz honey: 16 oz strong tea)

- Can add (16 oz honey: 16 oz strong tea), to make a sweeter syrup that will last longer, unrefrigerated.

- Can add 3-4 T brandy (or other alcohol) per cup of syrup, as a preservative.

- Can add a few drops of essential oil, for a stronger flavor/ medicinal effect.

Oxymels

1 part vinegar: 2-4 parts honey

With Alcohol

Cordials

1 C drinking alcohol (ie. Brandy): 1 C sweet syrup/ concentrate (can do 1 tincture: 3 sweet menstruum)

Let sit for a long time. Can be years!

Infused Wine

Infusing herbs into a drinking wine, with the tincture. May be more tasty than a straight tincture. Can add berries and other sweet fruits, to sweeten the medicine

Elixirs

1 part honey: 2-4 parts alcohol

Make with the same technique as making tinctures. Can strain after 2-4 weeks.

Pleasure Elixirs

Add 3 tsp of pre-formulated elixir(s) to 60 oz sparkling water, for a refreshing drink.

Recipes

(All plants listed in parts. Refer to directions/ proportions above, using the parts listed.)

Arabic Honey Electuary

Black pepper 1: Ginger 1: Tumeric 6-8

4 oz. Honey: 3 T herb powder blend

Sore Throat Pastilles

(From Rosemary Gladstar)

- 1 licorice root powder

- 1 comfrey root powder

- 1 elm powder

- 12 echinacea powder

- 1/8 goldenseal powder

Cough and Sore Throat Syrup

(From Rosemary Gladstar)

- 2 elm bark

- 2 valerian

-2 comfrey root

- 1 wild cherry bark

- 2 licorice root

-1 ginger root

-1 cinnamon bark

- 4 fennel seeds

- 1/8 orange peel

Some Northeastern Spring Sweet Medicine to Make Now

- Violet flowers (honey infusion, sugar, syrup)

- Dandelion flowers (honey infusion, oxymel)

- Cinquefoil young leaves (honey infusion, glycerite)

- Dock young leaves (oxymel)

- Chives young leaves (oxymel)

- Garlic Mustard young leaves (oxymel)

Measurements

1 C= 8 oz

1 pint= 16 oz

1 quart= 32 oz

1 oz= 30 mL

Web Resources

Sweet Medicine Overview, by Kiva Rose

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/sweet-medicine-an-overview-of-honeyed-healing-and-sensory-delight.html

Cordial recipes

http://wigardenexpo.com/grids/679.pdf

https://theherbarium.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/cordials/

"Making Tinctures" class handout

Standard Tincture Ratios

(Herb weight: liquid volume, % alcohol)

Fresh plants

1:2 95%

Dried plants

1:5 50%

Tincturing methods

- Weight-to-volume scientific method

- Folk method

- Percolations

Some plants to tincture now (spring in the Northeast)

Roots:

- Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

- Burdock (Arctium spp.)

- Docks (Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus)

- Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

- Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

- Barberry (Berberis spp.)

Flowers:

- Hawthorne (Crataegus spp.)

- Elder (Sambucus spp.)

Trees:

- Willow bark (Salix spp.)

- Poplar buds (Populus spp.)

Web Resources

Making tinctures 101, by Kiva Rose

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/an-introduction-to-tinctures.html

Tincture ratios handout, by 7song

http://7song.com/files/Herbal%20Pharmacy--Tincture%20Ratios.pdf

“Solubility Chart,” for scientifically measuring tincture alcohol ratios, by Lisa Ganora

http://www.herbalconstituents.com/images/Solubility_of_constituents.pdf

See trusted herb companies for optimal ratios. An example is Herb Pharm.

http://www.herb-pharm.com/products/10

Tincture Ratios, and so much more by my teacher 7song’s teacher, Michael Moore

http://www.swsbm.com/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html

On Skunk Cabbage, by Sean Donahue

http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/2010/03/skunk-cabbage-new-england-bear-medicine.html

http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/2010/08/swamp-lotus-skunk-cabbage-and.html

Five Flavors “Taste of Herbs” Flavor Wheel, from Rosalee de la Foret

http://www.tasteofherbs.com/standby_pages/25720

Oil Infusions and Salves (class handout)

(Pictured from left to right: infused oils of St. Johnswort, White Pine, Chapparal, White Sage. It's hard to tell in the photo, but they are all bright colors: bright red, dark green, golden yellow, and neon green. Simply magical.) 

---

Oil Infusions

Oil Infusion Methods

- Long/ slow infusion (2 weeks)

- Solar/ Lunar infusion (can integrate into the slow infusion)

- Hot infusion (faster, for mucilaginous plant materials ie. Comfrey, or thicker materials ie. Barks, roots, and seeds)

- Crock pot (on low, 2-12 hrs)

- Stove top/ Double boiler (1/2- 1 hr)

- Oven extraction (120 F, 8-12 hrs)

Making Oil Infusions: folk method

1. Prepare the plant. Collect fresh plants. Depending on the plant and your preferences/ access, you will use it fresh, freshly wilted, fresh dried, or dried.

2. Process the plant. Chop it into small pieces. The smaller the better, to expose more surface area to oil. If using dried plant materials, you can even powderize the plant, though I find that difficult to strain afterwards.

3. Fill up a glass jar with your prepared plant material. Leave two inches at the top. Pack the jar so that it’s firm, but not overpacked.

4. Fill the glass jar again with oil. Completely cover the plant material. Poke it all with a stick, to release any air bubbles.

5. Cap it, and use your oil infusion method of choice (see above).

6. When finished infusing, strain out the plant material, and rebottle your remaining infused oil. I like to keep old natural-fiber clothing, and cut it into squares to place over containers as strainers, then just throw away the cloth afterwards, to avoid the tedious task of trying to clean cloth saturated with oil.

7. If you infused a plant with higher water content, then let sit for 2-4 days. Any remaining water from the plant will sink to the bottom. Pour off the oil from the top, to separate that from the watery mix. Use the watery oil up first. The “pure” oil will last longer.

7. Label, and store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Oils to Infuse into

(Other oils may work, too)

Heavier oils:

- Olive oil

- Jojoba oil

- Sesame oil (raw)

Lighter oils:

- Almond oil

- Apricot kernel oil

- Grapeseed oil

Solid at room temperature:

- Coconut oil

- Animal fat

(Note comodogenic vs. non-comodogenic oils, for sensitive skin types)

Oils/ Waxes to add

Butters:

- Cocoa butter

- Shea butter

Oils:

- Avocado oil

- Argan oil

- Castor oil

Antioxidant oils:

- Rosehip seed oil

- Carrot seed oil

- Evening primrose oil

- Vitamin E oil

Waxes:

- Beeswax

- Carnauba wax (from the Brazilian palm tree)

Salves

Salve Proportions

Adding more wax creates a harder salve; adding less wax creates a softer salve. Experiment with what consistency you like.

1 oz wax (weight): 4-8 oz oil (volume)

Making Salves

1. Prepare your oils. Measure out how much salve you want to make, and blend our oil infusions and other oils accordingly. Pour into a glass jar with a pouring spout (I love beakers), and place into a metal pot. Fill water around your glass jar, to create a double boiler.

2. Heat it up.

3. Add wax, at your chosen proportions. It’s easiest to have pre-grated beeswax, and a dedicated grater just for beeswax.

4. Mix it with a spoon. Take out a small amount on the spoon and put into the freezer, to test its consistency texture. Modify as necessary, adding small amounts of wax or oil, until satisfied. It’s easier to slowly add more wax, instead of oil.

5. Once ready, remove it from the stovetop. If you want to add vitamin E or essential oils, then let it cool a little bit, then stir it in at the end, before it solidifies. The essential oils can explode, if the temperature is too high.

6. Pour into the awaiting jars.

7. Let cool. You might have to top off the salve as it dries, as it can create a funnel in the middle of the salve, as it dries.

8. Cap and label.

9. Store in cool areas, or carry around for frequent usage. Enjoy!

Categories of Usage

- General skin care (ie. Vulnerary, for dry skin, skin food, skin healing, etc)

- Pleasure (ie. Personal lubricant, massage oil, perfumes, aromatherapy, after- bath, spiritual/ ceremonial, etc)

- For skin problems (ie. Astringent, demulcent, antiseptic, etc for acne, exzema, dermatitis, etc)

- For pain (ie. Musculo-skeletal relaxant, smooth muscle relaxant, anti- inflammatory, etc for joint pain, connective tissue, muscular pain, belly aches, etc)

- First aid/ wound care (ie. Antiseptic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, etc for cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, etc)

- Scar/ wrinkle reduction (ie. Vulnerary, antioxidant, etc)

Labels

(What to write on your label, for a “mother medicine,” or a “simple.”)

- Common name of plant

- Scientific name of plant

- Date collected/ processed

- Part of the plant

- State of the plant (ie. Dried, fresh, fresh wilted, etc)

- Where plant came from

- Proportion/ method of extraction/ menstruum

Local Connecticut Plants for Oil Infusions and Salves

(A few suggestions. Note that a star* denotes tasty oil infusions. A ^ denotes a non-local, or cultivated plant.)

Vulnerary (skin healing)

- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

- St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

- Plantain (Plantago major, P. lanceolata)

- Chickweed (Stellaria medea)

- Aloe (Aloe vera) ^

- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) ^

- Calendula (Calendula officinalis) ^

- Milky oat tops (Avena sativa)

Anti-oxidant

- Rose petals, hips, seeds (Rosa spp.) *

- Evening primrose seeds (Oenothera spp.) *

- Carrot seeds (Daucus carota)

Anti-inflammatory (pain easing)

(“A”= antibacterial)

- Willow (Salix spp.)

- Birch (Betula spp.)

- Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

- Mullein (Verbascum spp.)

- Mugwort (Artemisia spp.) (A) *

- Beebalm (Monarda spp.) (A)

- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) (A)

- Conifer needles, inner bark, resin (A) *

- Arnica (Arnica montana) ^

- Tumeric (Curcuma longa) ^

- Poplar buds (Populus spp.)

Antiseptic

- Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

- Pine/ Conifers (Pinus spp.)

- Cedar (Thuja spp.)

- Barberry (Berberis spp.)

- Mugwort (Artemisia spp.)

- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

- Chaparral (Larrea tridentata) ^

Circulatory stimulant

- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) *

- Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)

- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) *

Other tasty* oil infusions

(Lots of aromatic kitchen/ garden herbs here. Experiment!)

- Sage (Salvia spp.)

- Rosemary (Rosmarinus spp.)

- Garlic (Allium spp.)

- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and other mustard plants: leaves, flowers, seeds

Brief Glossary

Menstruum= the solvent, or medium, that the plant material extracts into

Marc= the solute, or plant material

“Folk method”= fill it, and fill it again

Conversions

1 C= 8 oz= 256 mL

1 oz= 32 mL

1 L = 3.9 C

Further explorations

Making body butters, lotions, and cremes:

- “Herbal Healing for Women,” by Rosemary Gladstar (well, any/ all of her books)

- “The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook,” by James Green

- “Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth,” by Sharol Tilgner

  

Lube/ aphrodisiacs:

http://linjiling.blogspot.com/2015/02/botanica-aphrodisiaca.html

Web resources: further reading/ projects

- On making Pine Pitch Salve, by Kiva Rose

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/pine-pitch-salve.html

"Creating Teas" class handout

Teas, Internally

Tea

1-2 T dried plants : 1 C hot water

Steep 3-10 minutes

Infusion

1 oz dried plants : 1 L hot water

Steep 20 minutes (standard) to overnight (for nutritive food-like herbs, only)

Decoction

1 oz dried plants : 1 L water

Start on stovetop, bring to a boil, simmer on low together for 20+ minutes

Note: If the plants are fresh, then more plant material is needed.

Teas, Externally

Wash

Soak, with strong infusion/ decoction

Steam

Cover, with steaming infusion/ decoction

Compress

Cloth soaked with warm infusion/ decoction, replaced as needed

Poultice/ fomentation

Mashed up plants, direct application

Steeping Styles

- Steep’n’Strain

- Cold infusion

- Hot infusion

- Overnight infusion

- Solar/ lunar infusion

Formulation

The triangle: primary, secondary/ supportive, tertiary/ corrigent herbs

Nourishing Infusions

- Nettles (Urtica dioica)

- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

- Oatstraw (Avena sativa)

- Marshmallow (Althaea spp.; cold infusion only)

- Linden leaf (Tilia spp.)

- Violets (Viola spp.)

- Roses (Rosa spp.)

- Elm bark (Ulmus spp.; cold infusion only)

- Raspberry leaf (Rubus spp.)

Chai: basic recipe

Spices:

- Cinnamon 4

- Ginger 3

- Cardamon 2

- Nutmeg 1

- Black Pepper 1

- Cloves 0.5

Base:

- Black tea/ nourishing infusion

- Milk/ other fat

Articles from Other Resources

Wildcrafting

“Wildcrafting for the Practicing Herbalist,” by 7song

http://7song.com/files/Wildcrafting%20Herbalist.pdf

“Wildcrafting Checklist,” by Howie Brounstein

http://home.teleport.com/~howieb/treats/wildcrft.html

Herbal Actions and Energetics

“Herbal Actions and Energetics,” by jim mcdonald

http://herbcraft.org/properties.html

Teas

“How to Develop your Tea-Tasting Palate,” by Mark Falkowitz (focusing on Taiwanese/ Chinese teas)

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/how-to-taste-tea.html

Infusions

“Nourishing Infusions,” by Susun Weed

http://herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/September08/anti-cancer.htm

Nourishing Infusions

A cup of hot tea can uplift a cold day. Small amounts of plants steeped in hot water for a few minutes make teas which can be delicious, but are not as potent as infusions. Infusions are larger amounts of plants steeped in hot water for a longer period of time. They extract more plant constituents, and can be used medicinally or nutritively, depending on the plant infused. Overnight infusions of nutritive food-like plants, plants that contain beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other supportive elements, can be an excellent addition to any self- care practice.

The standard ratio for making infusions is one ounce of dried plants (weight), to one quart of hot water (volume). If you don’t wish to measure out your plant material, then you can just grab a handful of plants. Grab more of lighter plant materials (such as leaves and flowers), and less of heavier plant materials (such as roots and bark). Add the plants to a quart jar, then fill the jar with freshly boiled water. Cover with an airtight lid, then let it sit overnight. In the morning, strain out the plant material, composting it back into the Earth. The remaining infusion can be drunk slowly throughout the day, reheated and drunk, or refrigerated and ingested slowly through a few days, based on your needs and preferences. Infusions, depending on the plant, can keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Here’s some suggestions for plants to create nourishing overnight infusions. There’s a *star next to the plants that grow around here (southern AZ) as weeds, or you can easily cultivate.

Energetically drying (many of these are mildly astringent or diuretic):

*Nettles leaf (Urtica dioica)

*Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense)

Raspberry leaves (Rubus spp.)

*Rose leaves and petals (Rosa spp.)

Energetically neutral:

*Oatstraw (Avena sativa)

Violet leaves and flowers (Viola spp.)

Energetically moistening (nutritive demulcents):

*Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)

*Mallow leaves, roots, and flowers (Malva spp. and Althaea spp.)

Borage flowers (Borago officinalis)

Linden flowers (Tilia americana)

Nourishing infusions are best made with one plant at a time, to deeply understand that plant, and how it affects the individual. Once that base relationship has been established, then other plants may be added into the infusion. Energetically drying plants can be balanced by nutritive demulcents, for example. Different plants, with their different properties, can be artfully combined to create nourishing masterpieces to ingest, enjoy, and celebrate life, and our intimate relationships with the plant world.

(References: Kiva Rose and Susun Weed
Second photo credit: Teaching Drum Outdoor School) 

Rainbow Medicine 2014

Rainbow Medicine 2014

First aid tincture list, herbal categories, and protocols for commonly seen conditions at the Rainbow Gathering. (From 7song’s medicine kit/ class notes, compiled by Jiling Lin- LinJiling(at)gmail.com)

A Brief Key

gtt= drops. 1 tsp= 5 mL= 3.3 dropperfuls

1 dropperful (dp)= ~30 gtt= 1.5 mL= 1/2 tsp.

LD= loading dose. NP= not for pregnancy.

X= low dose herb/ use caution

Tinctures

Acute respiratory tincture

(Yerba Santa, Grindelia, Mullein lf, Osha rt)

antiviral, anti-infective. 30 gtt every 2 hrs

Anemone (Anemone spp.)

X. For acute panic attacks, trauma. 5 gtt at onset, then more as needed. Max= 15 gtt

Antimicrobial throat spray

(Calendula, Echinacea, Osha, Wild Indigo, Goldenseal, Propolis, Thyme EO, veg. glycerin)

antiviral, antibacterial, relieves strep throat- spray as needed. For strep, take 30-60 gtt 4 times a day.

Antiseptic wash

(Propolis, Goldenseal rt, Myrrh, Witch Hazel bark)

antimicrobial for ext. use, esp. cleaning staph wounds, and as antiseptic wound covering.

Antispasmodic compound

(Black Haw, Crampbark, Trillium, Wild Yam, Skullcap, Clove, Cinnamon, Orange peel)

smooth muscle relaxant, usu. for menstrual cramps. 15 gtt as needed. NP

Arnica (Arnica spp.)

X. Acute anti-inflammatory. 1-3 gtt every 2 hrs

Beggar ticks (Bidens spp.)

Decongestant. 30-60 gtt as needed.

Black cohosh (Actea racemosa)

skeletal muscle relaxant, affects female reproductive system, stops hot flashes, may affect moods. NP. LD 15 gtt, then 30-60 gtt every 2 hrs

Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium)

antispasmodic, relieves menstrual cramps. 15 gtt

Blackberry root (Rubus spp.)

astringent, stops diarrhea. Use as tea/ decoction.

Calamus (Acorus calamus)

digestive, increase focus

California poppy (Eshscholtzia spp.)

anxiolytic, helps ground after trauma, relaxant, sedative in large doses. Dose dependent. 15- 30 gtt

Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum)

corrigent, warming, digestive

Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana)

X. Laxative, relieves constipation. 5-10 gtt

Chaparral (Larrea spp.)

Strong ext wash/ int disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-parasitic, antioxidant. 30 gtt Limit to 2 wks int usage.

Chaparro amargosa (Castela emoryi)

anti-parasitic, laxative. Take 30 gtt at 1rst sign of loose stools. Wait ½ hr, then take 1 tsp activated charcoal powder. Repeat in 4 hrs.

Cinnamon (Cinamomum spp.)

corrigent, warming, digestive, demulcent

Clematis (Clematis spp.)

X. For cerebro-constricted/ nothing-works headaches. Use 5-10 gtt as needed.

Cotton root (Gossypium spp.)

emmenagogue, traditional abortifacient (do not use as such). 15- 60 gtt every few hrs. Rarely used. NP.

Decongestant aid

(Yerba Santa, Wolfberry)

dries up congestion, stops cold/ flus, anti-phlegm

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

immune-booster, anti-microbial. LD 60- 90 gtt, then 30 gtt every 2-4 hrs at 1rst sign of infection

Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.)

antihistamine, relieves itchy eyes, cough, runny nose. 15 gtt as needed

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)

headache relief. Top pre-migraine herb. 10-30 gtt at onset. Take 15 gtt until symptoms plateau.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

GI anti-inflammatory, digestive relaxant. 15-30 gtt

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

broad-based antimicrobial. For toothache powder, eye infection, int/ ext wound care. 30-60 gtt LD for infections. 30 gtt every 2 hrs

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

sedative, anti-pitta herb, relaxing digestive.10-20 gtt

Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula)

emotional/ physical pain relief, nervine, sleep-aid, not sedative, augmenting herb. 15 gtt

Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

Sedative relaxant, inhibitor that shuts off overthinking mind. 15-60 gtt as needed. Overdose may cause mental dullness/ impaired faculties.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

X. digestive nervine, relaxant, antioxidant. EO topically soothes acute burns, and aromatically restores calm during seizures. 3-5 gtt

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

put EO directly on herpes sores. Digestive relaxant, non-sedating. 15 gtt

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.)

anti-infl, corrigent, adaptogen, “great harmonizer,” demulcent. Can raise blood pressure via water retention

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

X. Augmenting herb, deobstruent, breaks stagnation (ie. digestive, headache, mental). Best broncho-dilator (ie.For asthma). 1-5 gtt Overdose can cause nausea

Ma huang (Ephedra sinica)

X. decongestant for clear runny mucus. Stimulant, broncho-dilator, raises blood pressure, increases sympathetic tone. 5-10 gtt as needed/ 3x a day

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Digestive relaxant, anti-inflammatory, good with Chamomile, gentle tea. 30-60 gtt as needed

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

nervine, emmenagogue, eases menstrual cramps and emotional lability, anziolitic. NP. 15-60 gtt as needed

Oregon grape (Berberis spp.)

int/ ext use. Antimicrobial, anti-protozoal. LD 30 gtt, then 60 gtt every 4 hrs for infection

Osha (Ligusticum porteri)

Antibacterial, anti-venomous, broad-based anti-microbial. Inhibits respiratory viruses, relieves altitude sickness (chew on rt) . 60 gtt LD, 30 gtt every 2-4 hrs

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Relaxes over-thinking mind. Relaxes people on “bad trips.” Anxiolytic. May stimulate some, sedate others. 15-30 gtt, or 30 gtt every 2 hrs

Pedicularis (Pedicularis spp.)

skeletal muscle relaxant, augmenting herb. 30-60 gtt

Peppermint spirits

(4 Peppermint tea: 1 tincture; 1 EO: 20 tea/ tinc)

X.Digestive relaxant, eases nausea/ vomiting. 1-3 gtt

Propolis

antiseptic wound covering, usu. ext use. Int: helps throat infections

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

anti-histamine for type 1 hypersensitive reaction allergies. 15-30 gtt LD, 30 gtt as needed

Silk tassel root bark (Garrya spp.)

X. best anti-spasmodic for smooth muscle cramping. Is strong; use black haw 1rst for cramps, general pain relief- 5 gtt each time. Don’t exceed 60 gtt

Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.)

nervine for phys/emo pain, smooth/ skeletal muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, sedative tea for insomnia, augmenting, trauma herb. Idiosyncratic.

Skeletal muscle relaxant

(Black Cohosh, Pedicularis, Skullcap) NP. 15-60 gtt

St Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

Ext: vulnerary and nerve repair. Int: anti-depressant, trauma aid. Over-usage may cause photo-sensitivity

Staph dismissed tincture

(Chaparral, Licorice, Witch Hazel, Propolis)

Ext: for staph infections. Alternate with activated charcoal twice a wk

Sundew (Drosera spp.)

cough suppressant for uncontrollable coughing

Tooth and gum rinse

(Yerba Manza, Myrrh, Goldenseal, Self-Heal, White Oak, Propolis, Glycerin)

astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, demulcent. Use as needed.

Turkey rhubarb (Rheum spp.)

X. relaxant- use a few drops before sleep. As laxative, use 5 gtt every 15 minutes.

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.)

anti-inflammatory, warming, safe high dose herb

Un-headache tincture

(Feverfew, Skullcap, Chamomile, Blue Vervain, Valerian rt) 15-60 gtt as needed.

Urinary tract tincture

(Dandelion lf, Chickweed, Cleavers, Parsley, Marshmallow, Corn Silk, Uva Ursi) For UTI: LD 90 gtt, then 60 gtt 3x/ day.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Sedative, hypnotic, anodyne, nervine. Sleeping aid. Sedates most, stimulates 1/10 of people. (try 1 gtt test, 1rst) 15-30 gtt as needed. High doses may cause grogginess.

White oak (Quercus alba)

Astringent. 15-30 gtt as needed

Wild cherry (Prunus serotina)

respiratory sedative, for nonproductive coughs. 15 gtt

Wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.)

X. pain relief, by reducing awareness of pain. Sedative, relaxant, anodyne, anxiolytic, trauma herb. 1-15 gtt until symptoms relieved. 30 gtt every 3-4 hrs

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa/ D. quadranata)

GI anti-spasmodic, NP. 15 gtt as needed

Willow (Salix spp.)

general anti-inflammatory. 30 gtt LD for acute inflammation, then 30 gtt every 2 hrs

Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Antimicrobial, astringent

Categories

Anti-infective (inc. Antiseptic, Anti-microbial)

 Antiseptic wash (Propolis, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Witch Hazel)

 Chapparal

 Chapparo amargosa

 Echinacea

 Garlic (Anti-viral)

 Goldenseal (Anti-viral)

 Oak

 Oregon graperoot (Anti-viral)

 Osha

 Propolis

 Staph dismissed tincture (Chaparral, Licorice, Witch Hazel, Propolis)

 St. Johnswort

 Yarrow

Anti-Allergenic

(See Decongestants and Anxiolytics)

Ephedra

Eyebright (anti-histamine)

Lobelia

Nettles

Osha

Ragweed (anti-histamine)

Anti-inflammatory

Arnica

Birch (contains salicylates)

Chamomile

Ginger

Licorice

Meadowsweet (contains salicylates)

Poplar (contains salicylates)

St. Johnswort

Turmeric

Willow (contains salicylates)

Yarrow

Anti-nauseant

Catnip, Fennel, Ginger, Peppermint spirits

Antispasmodic (smooth muscle relaxant, NP)

· Antispasmodic compound (Black Haw, Crampbark, Trillium, Wild Yam, Skullcap, Clove, Cinnamon, Orange Peel)

· Black haw

· Crampbark

· Silk tassel root bark

· Skullcap

· Valerian

· Wild yam

Astringent

Blackberry root

Geranium

Rose family plants

White oak

Witch hazel

Yellow dock

Yerba manza

Augmenting herbs (improves other herbs’ actions)

Cayenne, Cinnamon, Jamaican dogwood, Lobelia, Skullcap, Licorice

Corrigent (improves flavor)

Cardamom, Cinnamon, Licorice

Decongestant

Beggar ticks

Decongestant aid (Yerba Santa, Wolfberry)

Ephedra

Ragweed

Demulcents

Aloe, Licorice, Mallows, Oatmeal, Prickly Pear

Digestive

(See Antispasmodics, Astringents, Constipation, Diarrhea)

· Bitter herbs (Dandelion, Burdock, Yarrow, Gentian)

· Calamus

· Cardamom

· Fennel (carminative)

· Ginger (carminative)

· Mint family plants

· Digestive relaxants:

· Chamomile

· Catnip

· Hops

· Lavender

· Meadowsweet

Eye cups

· Irritation: wash with saline solution/ water / Slippery elm

· Conjunctivitis: wash with saline solution/ water/ 2 gtt Goldenseal tinc. Take Goldenseal int, too.

· Allergies: wash with saline solution/ water/ 2 gtt Eyebright.

Hemostats (stops blood flow, from ext wounds)

Cayenne, Cinnamon, Shepherd’s purse, Yarrow, Yunnan Paiyao

Immune Support

Echinacea, Osha, Ginger, Elder

Relaxants (inc. Nervines, Sedatives)

Anemone (trauma aid)

Blue vervain (trauma aid)

California poppy (trauma aid)

Chamomile

Hops

Jamaican dogwood

Kava kava

Lavender (EO: trauma aid)

Lemon balm

Lobelia (trauma aid)

Motherwort

Oats

Passionflower

Rose

Skullcap

St Johnswort (trauma aid)

Valerian

Wild cherry

Wild lettuce (trauma aid)

Respiratory

(See Demulcents and Anti-infectives)

· Acute respiratory tincture (Yerba Santa, Grindelia, Mullein, Osha)

· Antimicrobial throat spray (Calendula, Echinacea, Osha, Wild indigo, Goldenseal, Propolis, Thyme, glycerin)

· Licorice

· Lobelia (broncho-dilator, for asthma)

· Ephedra (broncho-dilator, for asthma)

· Osha

· Sundew

· Wild cherry

· Etc: Baptisia, Boneset, Coltsfoot, Elecampagne, Grindelia, Horehound,

Skeletal muscle relaxant

Black cohosh

Kava kava

Pedicularis

Skeletal muscle relaxant compound (Black cohosh, Skullcap, Pedicularis)

Skullcap

Wild lettuce

Vulneraries (wound healing)

Aloe

Arnica

Calendula

Comfrey

Mallows

Plantain

Slippery elm

St Johnswort

Washes (external use)

Antiseptic wash (Propolis, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Witch Hazel)

Chaparral

Goldenseal

St Johnswort

Staph dismissed tincture (Chaparral, Licorice, Witch Hazel, Propolis)

Willow

Yarrow

Conditions

Burns

1. Cool it down

2. Give internal medicine to decrease pain and increase immunity: Echinacea (30-60 gtt), pain-relief (Hops, Wild Lettuce), trauma aid (Piscidia, St Johnswort, Lemon Balm)

3. Clean: Remove external material in wound

4. Rehydrate patient

5. Wash burn with disinfectant (Oregon graperoot, Goldenseal) and astringent herbs (tea of Willow, Oak, Potentilla, black tea soak)

6. Cover: Apply poultice/ compress of demulcent/ drawing agents (Opuntia, Aloe, Lavender EO, clay, honey)

Constipation

The Laxative Continuum:

(Try each thing 1rst, before moving down the line. These herbs/ techniques increase in strength.)

1. Tonification laxative (ie. Rumex spp.) 1rst, use mechanical laxatives, ie. Demulcent foods/ herbs, increasing water/ fiber uptake, digestive relaxants

2. Turkey rhubarb (chemical laxatives are #2-4. Use before sleep. Don’t become dependent. 5 gtt)

3. Cascara sagrada (Use 5-10 gtt)

4. Senna (Cassia spp.) (purgative laxative)

Dehydration

Rehydration Fluid: 1 qt water, 4 tsp sugar, ½ tsp salt

Eat well-cooked, easily digestible foods.

Diarrhea

1. Let diarrhea run its course, then rehydrate patient.

2. Give Chapparo amargosa, Oregon graperoot or other anti-parasitics to kill GI bugs.

3. Wait 30 minutes, then give 1 tsp activated charcoal to adsorb/ expel causes.

4. If diarrhea stops, then start eating easily digestible foods again, slowly. Nourish the system.

5. If the diarrhea’s continued for a few days, then consider astringents to stop it. But, this only abates symptoms. Find and treat the cause.

Diarrhea and vomiting

Ease vomiting with anti-nauseants, then rehydrate person. Treat diarrhea after vomiting is resolved.

Dog bites

1. Soak in Yarrow/ Chaparral disinfectant tea

2. Give Echinacea internally, maybe trauma aid

3. Activated charcoal poultice on wound

4. Have patient return the next day. If wound’s inflamed, then re-soak. If no inflammation, then apply Propolis and cover.

Gut parasites

· Giardia- protozoal. 5-7 day incubation. Symptoms: Frothy diarrhea, bad gas. No vomiting. Never blood in stool. Treatment: Chapparo amargosa, activated charcoal.

· Shigella- bacterial. 2 day incubation. Symptoms: Usu. blood in stool, vomiting and diarrhea. Self-limiting, so will stop itself. Treatment: Peppermint spirits, Oregon graperoot, Chaparral.

· E. coli- bacterial. Symptoms: vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes w/ red blood in stool. Treatment: Peppermint spirits, Chaparral, Chapparo amargosa, Oregon graperoot, activated charcoal.

Headaches

(See Anti-inflammatory, Relaxants, Skeletal Muscle Relaxants)

· Black cohosh (tension/ frontal lobe headaches. 5-15 gtt)

· Chamomile (GI/ stress h-aches. Tea/ 15-90 gtt)

· Clematis (cerebro-constricted/ nothing-works headaches. 5-10 gtt)

· Eyebright (allergy-headaches. 15-60 gtt)

· Feverfew (1rst choice pre-migraine. 15-30 gtt)

· Lobelia (dull aching headaches. 5 gtt at a time)

· Meadowsweet (infection/ digestive headaches. 15-60 gtts/ tea for GI headache)

· Skullcap (stress headaches)

· Un-headache tincture (Feverfew, Skullcap, Chamomile, Blue vervain, Valerian rt)

· Willow (unknown origin dull h-aches. 15-90 gtt)

Staph infections

Antibiotics will treat it faster, but herbs offer an alternate solution.

1. Clean with soap and water, or soak in disinfectant wash to remove pus and dead skin.

2. Internal: immune stimul and antibiotics (Echinacea and Goldenseal/ Oregon graperoot/ Chaparral). LD 90 gtt Take 60 gtt every 4 hrs.

3. External: alternate between activated charcoal and “Staph dismissed” tincture (Chaparral, Witch hazel, Oregon graperoot, Goldenseal)

4. Wrap with vet wrap or other non-sticking material, to prevent further opening the wound. Instruct patient in caution with physical interactions, to prevent spreading infection.

Viruses

Takes 24-48 hrs to manifest symptoms: achy body, fever. Treatment: Oregon graperoot, Garlic, Goldenseal.

Other Medicines

· Arnica liniment (for acute inflammation)

· Lobelia vinegar

· Yunnan paiyao

· Ginger chews

Syrups

· Osha honey

· Wild cherry honey

Oils

· Castor oil

· Ear oil (Mullein fl, Garlic, vita E oil, EV olive oil)

· Poplar bud oil

· Trauma oil (St johnswort, Arnica, Valerian, Wintergreen EO, Tea tree EO, vita E oil, EV olive oil)

Essential oils

· Clove (numbs tooth pain; antiseptic)

· Lavender (for acute burns, and relaxation)

· Tea tree (antiseptic, astringent)

Powders and capsules

· Activated charcoal powder (adsorbent)

· Clay (adsorbent/ drawing agent)

· Goldenseal root (disinfectant)

· Licorice (demulcent, etc)

· Slippery elm (demulcent, nutritive)

Single herbs

· Osha root

· Tobacco

· Licorice root

· Chapparal

Go here to view and download this, as a PDF document: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7LKnt2hzJ4ZSl91N0VPLXRuRzg/view?usp=sharing

(Pictured is the first aid tent at the 2014 Rainbow Gathering in the Wasatch-Cache NF of northern UT. Photo credit: 7song)