F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is not professional advice. We only offer the suggestions of an herbalist who has used herbs for years to treat family, friends, and clients with natural healing.
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Infusions
Infusion is the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol. This is accomplished by allowing the plant material to remain submerged in the solvent over time.
An herbal infusion is a water-based medicinal preparation made by placing about an ounce of herb into a quart of water and leaving it to steep, covered for a period of time. Dried herbs are usually used because the minerals and other phytochemicals are made more accessible by drying. Although made like tea, herbal infusions are much stronger in taste and action than beverage teas. Teas are generally made with about 1/7 the amount of herb to water as medicinal infusions and steep for a shorter period of time.
Infusions are commonly made from the more delicate parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers and aromatic parts. These fragile plant parts are steeped rather than simmered because they give up their medicinal properties more easily than do the tougher roots and barks. Seeds should first be bruised before adding them to an infusion. Some roots and barks are appropriate to use for infusions when ground or well bruised and may need to be steeped for a longer time.
Infusions can be taken warm or cold, heated or at room temperature. Refrigerate after straining for best results. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Use 1 ounce (about a cup) or herb to 1 quart (4 cups) water or 1 tablespoon dried herb to 1 cup water. Poor the water over the herb, cover and let steep for the specified amount of time (20 minutes or more), then strain though a fine strainer like a tea strainer. Add water to replace any liquid lost returning it to the original volume of liquid.
Different sources have differing ideas about how long an infusion should steep to extract the most medicinal qualities. Presented below are some ideas to use as a basic guidelines. You can play with them a little to see what works best for you.
- In general an herb should steep a minimum for 20 – 30 minutes in a boiling water and 6-12 hours in a cold infusion.
- Nutritious herbs that are higher in trace minerals and vitamins may be steeped longer (4-8 hours) to extract more of the nutrients. Herbs like Violet, Nettles, and Oatstraw fit into this category. I like to steep mine overnight.
- Herbs that are higher in Volatile oils like peppermint, eucalyptus and valerian root may be steeped for a shorter period of time (20 – 30 minutes up to 2 hours)
- The longer the herb is steeped the stronger and more bitter it will taste. If the taste is overly disagreeable, add honey or steep for less time but no less than 20 minutes.
- Roots and bark can be steeped up to 8 hours as a hot infusion. More herb per ounce of water may be used depending upon the herb.
As a general rule, consume a quart of infusion per day internally. This means you can take it by the mouthful several times per day or you can take 1 cup, 4 times per day. It will depend on why you are taking it. For example, if you are taking an infusion to ease the symptoms and speed recovery of a cough or cold, you may want to sip it throughout the day. If taking it for relief of constipation or lower bowel distention, you may want to drink 1 cup at a time, 3 to 4 times per day. For general nutrition and allergy relief, I drink mine cold throughout the day instead of or in addition to iced tea.
When refrigerated, infusions will keep up to 36 hours. Without refrigeration, they spoil quite quickly. I like to make mine fresh daily and consume them within a 24-hour period, especially when taking them for daily use
How do you use Herbal Infusions?
Following are some examples of how to use your infusion as medicine and in daily life
- Take orally to treat a particular issue or illness
- Externally as a wash, or in the bath
- As a mouth wash or rinse
- Eye wash (well strained)
- Hair rinse
- Cleaning or sanitizing solution
- As a fomentation (dip a cloth in the infusion and place it on the body)
- In a neti pot or as a nasal spray
- in an enema or douche
Tinctures
Herbal Tinctures are concentrated extracts that are made by extracting the medicinal properties of an herb into a solvent. The most frequent solvent is usually alcohol. However, you can use oil (as in CBD), vegetable glycerin, apple cider vinegar and more. Resulting tinctures are then taken in low doses. Thus making them a handy way to take your herbal remedies. Especially when the herbs don’t taste good, or when a formula needs to be taken over a long period of time. You can use tinctures internally or externally as liniments and washes (mixed with water).
Herbal Tinctures are:
- Usually Taken in small amounts – often from 5 drops to about 60 drops. (That’s one or two dropper fulls.)
- Many people take their tinctures straight. Although some folks prefer to add it to water, tea or juice.
- Tinctures can be fast acting. They often enter the blood stream faster than most other types of preparations.
- Have a long shelf life – Most tinctures stay good for a long time while maintaining their effectiveness.
Kept your tinctures sealed and stored in a cool dark place. Store them in a cupboard, pantry or medicine cabinet. It is important to keep your tinctures out of direct sunlight and away from children.
The amount of alcohol consumed per dose is very small. This is true even through most tinctures are made with anywhere between 20% and 100% alcohol. The percentage of alcohol used depends upon the type of herb and the constituents your trying to extract. However, the dose of a tincture is quite small. 1 oz. of tincture (a shot of alcohol) will last most people a week or two when taking 30 drops (1/3 teaspoon) 3 to 4 times per day. If the alcohol is bothersome there are a few things you can do. first, you can add your tincture to boiling water or tea and left to cool. By the time the water is lukewarm the alcohol has evaporated. Secondly, you can make or purchase tinctures that are made from glycerin (called glycerites) or apple cider vinegar (called acetates)
Most herbalists (including me) consider tinctures to be safe (depending upon the herb). Additionally, there are many tincture and tinctures formulas that can be safely used for children, and pregnant or lactating women. When deciding on the dosage for infants and children, please see our dosage guidelines for children.
Do not use alcohol preparations such as tinctures in herbal remedies meant to treat alcoholics or those who have a sensitivity to alcohol.
Yes, herbal extracts can be made alcohol free. To do this we vegetable glycerin (called glycerites) and apple cider vinegar (called acetates) is used. Many people making herbal medicine for children (including myself) use glycerin because it’s sweeter in taste and alcohol-free. Glycerites are easy on the stomach and highly nutritive.
Apple cider vinegar is especially useful when treating digestive issues or when extracting nutrients and minerals from the herb. You can make Acetates with herbs like Garlic and cayenne. Or you can use savory garden herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano. Herbal vinegars taste great and are easy to use as food. Use them as you would any regular vinegar.
As medicine, both glycerites and acetates:
- Have a slightly milder effect than an alcohol tincture.
- Can have a moderately shorter shelf life.
- Extract fewer of the medicinal constituents. (Although I have used them in many situations with great results)
Essential oils are steam-extracted. Tinctures are more like simple infusions, using alcohol. To make essential oils, huge amounts of plant material is used. With the process requiring a steam distiller and very high heat. As the steam forms, the volatile oils in the plants evaporate into the steam. Then, drops of essential oils are collected as the steam cools. After which the remainder of plant material is discarded.
- Essential oils are powerful medicine that are almost always used diluted with a carrier oil….not directly on the skin.
- EO’s are highly concentrated and should only be used internally by those who are very experienced.
Herbal Infused Oils
Herbal infused oils are also known as herbal-medicated oils. These are oil based medicinal preparations made by extracting the medicinal qualities of specific herbs into vegetable oils, like Olive or Sesame oil. Herbal infused oils are applied externally. Yet they impact the human system on very deep levels. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is semi-permeable. When you apply herbal oils to the skin, it is absorbed into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream the herbal contents are routed through the body, completely bypassing the digestive system. Herbal oils are generally applied warm because this relaxes the nervous system and opens the pores, allowing the process to happen more efficiently. The smell of the oils can also impact the psyche very quickly as the olfactory senses stimulate the pineal gland almost instantaneously.
Herbal Infused Oils
- Can be used directly on the skin, and not usually diluted.
- Are especially soothing to the nervous system.
- Relieve dryness to the skin and whole physiology.
- Help remove excess toxins from the system by lifting them to the surface.
- Encourage blood flow and proper energy movement throughout the body.
- Are for external use only.
erbal infused oils are also known as herbal-medicated oils. These are oil based medicinal preparations made by extracting the medicinal qualities of specific herbs into vegetable oils, like Olive or Sesame oil. Herbal infused oils are applied externally. Yet they impact the human system on very deep levels. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is semi-permeable. When you apply herbal oils to the skin, it is absorbed into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream the herbal contents are routed through the body, completely bypassing the digestive system. Herbal oils are generally applied warm because this relaxes the nervous system and opens the pores, allowing the process to happen more efficiently. The smell of the oils can also impact the psyche very quickly as the olfactory senses stimulate the pineal gland almost instantaneously.
Herbal Infused Oils
- Can be used directly on the skin, and not usually diluted.
- Are especially soothing to the nervous system.
- Relieve dryness to the skin and whole physiology.
- Help remove excess toxins from the system by lifting them to the surface.
- Encourage blood flow and proper energy movement throughout the body.
- Are for external use only.
Essential oils are steam distilled under high heat. A large amount of plant material is placed into a steam distiller and subjected to very high temperatures. As the steam cools, drops of essential oil are collected. For example it takes about 10 pounds of fresh Lavender flowers to make 1 ounce of essential oil and around 65 pounds of fresh rose petals to produce 1 ounce of pure Rose essential oil
- Essential oils are strong medicine and are rarely used neat or straight. They are almost always diluted with vegetable oil before used on the skin
- Can be irritating if used straight or too frequently.
- Are often used in Aromatherapy blends in small amounts diluted in vegetable oil, water or alcohol.
- Both Infused oils and Essential oils are for external use with exception only for very experienced practitioners
First warm your infused oil. Then apply the oil in outward and downward strokes. Application can be centered on a specific area (the part of your body that’s causing you problems) or to your entire body. Use even, gentle pressure. Keeping in mind the direction the hair is growing and working away from the heart. After applying the oil rest for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it away. The longer the oil is on, the deeper it penetrates. You can apply infused oils at night, before bed. Sleep with it on gives wonderful results as well as improving your quality of sleep. Apply it again in the morning for stubborn conditions. If you find excess oil uncomfortable simply dab off the excess with a soft cloth or paper towel. Follow up with a comfortably warm or hot bath or shower.
When applying infused oil to a specific area
- Apply in outward and downward strokes
- Use gentle pressure
- Work with the curves, circles and planes of the body to apply the oil more than massage it in.
- Put oil of over a larger area on the body than what’s affected. For example; if your knee hurts apply the oil from the hip to below the knee as far down as the ankle. Doing both legs will help balance the energy.
Abhyanga – Self Message
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic daily self oil message. Usually it is performed in the morning before your bath or shower.
- Apply the comfortably warm oil lightly to your entire body.
- Massage the entire body using even gentle pressure with the whole hand, including the palm and fingers.
- Spend extra time on sensitive areas, soles of the feet and hands.
- Use circular motions on rounded areas like the head, shoulders and abdomen.
- Use straight strokes on straight areas like the legs and arms.
- Leave the oil on and relax for 10-15 min.
- Take a comfortable warm or hot bath or shower.
Other ways to use Herbal Infused Oil
- Put 1 or 2 teaspoons of your infused oil in your bath.
- Use as a massage oil.
- As a base for salve or cream.
Some of the benefits of using oil application on a regular basis include:
- Increased circulation, especially to nerve tissue
- Longer lasting effects, sometimes complete resolution of the of the presenting problem
- Helps to tone and sooth all body tissues
- Calming to the nerves
- Lubricates the Joints
- Decreases inflammation and pain
- Softer smoother skin
- Improves the body’s ability to eliminate impurities
- Improves the quality of sleep
Glycerites and Acetates
Herbal gycerites are a kind of herbal extract made with vegetable glycerin. Wonderment Gardens uses organic Vegetable glycerin derived from coconuts to extract the medicinal properties of the herbs.
Glycerites are a non alcoholic herbal extract.
The taste of glycerin extracts are very sweet. Because of the sweetness and the fact they are non alcoholic makes them well used for children’s products. However, gycerites may also be used for adults. And may be especially useful for those who would rather not use an alcoholic preparation, but would like a concentrated extract.
Usually the dosage of herbal glycerites are similar to those of herbal tinctures. Although the amounts taken might be slightly higher than that of an alcohol tincture.
Acetates are herbal infused Vinegar’s. Again, non alcoholic they are most often made with Live Apple Cider Vinegar. The kind “With the Mother”.
Vinegar is especially good at extracting the nutritional properties of the herb. And because they are made with the mother, they are a live food that is high in probiotics.
Acetates can be taken by the dropper or teaspoon like tinctures, added to herbal formulas and used in cooking. I make a very nice anti-infective herbal vinegar with fresh Nettle leaves, Oregano, Thyme and Garlic.
Herbal vinegar’s are also appropriate for insect bites, poison ivy and sunburns.