There are several ways to extract the healing properties out of herbs and plants. The following list contains directions on how you can use plants and herbs for your own personal preferences:

INFUSION is just like brewing tea.  Infusion is  best for flowers, leaves and stems.  First boil the water, turn off the heat, add your herb and simply cover with a lid.  Let the infusion steep for about 10 minutes. Only use a glass or enamel pan with a tight-fitting lid, never metal. Use approximately one pint of water for every ounce of herb.  Finally strain your infusion and use the liquid.

DECOCTION is a method best done with roots, bark and seeds.  Use a non-metallic pan and bring water to a boil. Keep the plant parts at a slow rolling boil for 10 – 12 minutes. The lid should be left ajar. Using a mortar and pestle to grind the roots or other dense parts of the plant before boiling can help to increase the healing properties. After initial boiling, cover and steep another 5 – 10 minutes. Always strain and use the liquid.

COLD EXTRACT method will preserve the most volatile of ingredients because there is no heating involved.  Add two ounces herb to every pint of liquid. Let the mixture it sit for 8-12 hours or overnight.  Finally strain the cold extract mixture and use the liquid.

JUICE having a juicer makes this method simple.  Press the plant parts with a manual or electric juicer. Make sure to add a small amount of water and then press again. You will use 100% of the plant parts, and keep the full life and vitality of the ingredients.  Use the juice immediately after juicing for the healthiest results.

POWDER Using a mortar and pestle, grind dried plant parts into a powder. Mix powder into a liquid base or pour into capsules for ingesting.

SYRUP Boil the plant parts gently in honey until you have a nice consistency. Strain out plant parts and use syrup.

TINCTURE blend 2-4 ounces of powdered herb with 8 ounces of vodka or brandy in a tight fitted bottle. Let sit 14 days in refridgerator. Shake the bottle once a day. Finally strain and pour the liquid into a bottle for storage. This tincture lasts a long time. Use a very small amount due to the concentration.

OINTMENT After using one of the first three methods of extraction, put the liquid into a double boiler with some kind of a vegetable oil such as olive or almond oil.  Simmer until the water evaporates.  Add a little beeswax to make a thicker consistency.  Stir and heat slowly until completely melted.  Pour into a small jar with lid.  A drop of tincture of benzoin per ounce of fat may be added as a preservative.

POULTICE is made by bruising or mashing the plant material and heating it, it can then be applied to an area of the body that needs to be soothed, irritated or detoxified.  Put the paste inside a hot moist towel that is continuously kept hot by placing new hot towels over the first as it starts to cool.  Clean the skin thoroughly after the treatment.

FOMENTATION is the same idea as a poultice, but calls for a series of towels being saturated by the warm herbal solution of your choice and being placed consecutively on the affected area.  This method is not quite as effective, but it is less messy.

COLD COMPRESS The only difference between this method and fomentation is that the solution and the towels are not hot, they are cold.  The solution is applied with the towel to the affected area and kept there until it is warmed by body heat, usually about 15-20 minutes.

VAPOR BATH is a method used for the respiratory system as well as skin detoxification.  Place the plant material into boiling water and turn off the heat.  Let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes with the pot covered.  Then, using a towel over your head to keep the steam directly on your face, lean over the uncovered pot.  Make sure to be careful that the steam is not too hot before you put the towel over your head.  If it's too hot, either wait until it cools to a comfortable temperature, or add a small amount of cool water.

HYDROTHERAPY Taking a bath in herbal properties can be very effective.  Make sure that the temperature of the water is not too hot or too cool, 90-95 degrees is perfect for most.  Minerals such as sea salts can be added, and/or herbs.  Making an infusion or decoction first and then adding it to the bath is probably the most effective way to make an herbal bath.  Another way would be to hang a tea bag filled with herbs under the spigot.  The running warm water releases the properties of the herbs.  Footbaths with stimulating herbs are ideal for tired feet that need a pick-up.  It's also a nice idea to add herbs with antiseptic properties for a thorough cleansing.