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Herbal Formulations
Herbs can be used in a variety of different
formulations. This article will take a closer look at many of the most useful
herbal forms and help you understand each a bit better.
Herbal Teas - Herbs used in tea form have the advantage of quick
assimilation by a weakened, sick body. The heat from boiling water releases
the power of the herbs, and there is liquid for our body already included from
the tea. Herbal teas are also useful when an area needs to be coated for
relief and healing.
Some herbal teas come in standard tea bags and can be made just like regular
tea can. Other herbs must have boiled water poured over either freshly picked,
or dried and ground herb pieces.
Herbal Capsules - Dried and ground herbs are placed into gelatin
capsules, which dissolve quickly. Often capsule herbs are concentrated for
more strength and they're easily portable. Most of the strongest medicinal
herbs are quite bitter to the taste too, so it's easier to get them down when
taking them in capsule form.
Most herbal capsules contain just one specific herb in them, but sometimes you
can buy combination capsules, or you can buy the dried ground herbs and make
specific combinations yourself.
Extracts and Tinctures are concentrated herbs in liquid form. Most are
made with either drinking alcohol such as Everclear, or Apple Cider Vinegar.
Powdered or dried herbs are added to a pint of either fluid, then aged for at
least two weeks. Alcohol based tinctures and extracts brings out more of the
herbs properties than vinegar does, and the alcohol can be dissipated by
putting a few drops of the tincture into 1/4 cup of very warm water.
Herbal Oils is another form of getting liquid herbs, but the liquid
form of these are created with olive oil instead of alcohol or vinegar. Herbal
oils usually need to be kept refrigerated.
Herbal Ointments and Salves are used for topical applications. They're
made by mixing powdered herbs into natural petroleum jelly or lanolin, and can
be kept indefinitely in small beauty containers or cream jars with lids.
Herbal Poultices are used for external wounds, swelling, bites, stings,
inflammations and so on. They're made by chopping, grating or blending various
herbs with mineral water, olive oil, aloe vera, or other healing liquids. The
mixture is then applied to a clean cloth, then laid with the herb side against
the skin on the affected area. A poultice can be covered with plastic or
wrapped in gauze to keep from getting cloths and bedding dirty.
A bolus is an internal herbal poultice usually used in suppository form
for the rectum or vagina.
Herbal Tinctures
- Herbal tinctures are
liquid herbs. They are made by aging an herb in alcohol or apple cider
vinegar, resulting in a more potent herb that is easily absorbed and used by
the body...
Essential Vitamins Your Body Needs
- Vitamins are elements in nature which are essential to life. ..
Vitamin A - Vitamin A is an essential
vitamin for keeping your vision healthy...
Various B Vitamins - There are actually
several types of B vitamins which are extremely important to the overall
health of our bodies...
Vitamin C - Vitamin C, aka Ascorbic Acid, is probably the
most well known vitamin today. This was also the first vitamin discovered by
man, and it needs to be replaced in our bodies daily...
Vitamin E - Vitamin E, or Tocopherol,
is another vitamin that has started to become better known among the
mainstream population in recent years...
Essential Minerals Introduction
- Minerals are very much like vitamins: They are essential for the proper
functioning and health of the human body...
Minerals: Calcium
- Most people know that calcium is essential to building strong bones and
teeth...
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