Here I’ve listed the different ways I may ask patients to take their medicine. I haven’t mentioned all the ways you can get herbs into food and drink as that’s a whole other post or two!
A tincture is an extraction of herbs in dilute alcohol (25-90%). Several herbs can be mixed together – usually 4 or 5 but anything up to 10 can be used. Tinctures have the advantage of being easily transportable, easy to use (usually 5 ml three times a day), easy to store, will reduce the nasty taste of the nastiest tasting herbs (a little), and have a long use by date. Tinctures can also be used externally as a rub, in the case described in ‘The Consultation’ I would almost certainly give a preparation to be rubbed on the sinus area (on either side of the nose).
Teas are a mixture of fresh or dried herbs infused in hot water for 10 minutes and drunk by the cup at least three times a day or frequently for example cystitis is best treated by a tea drunk by the litre throughout the day. This is a really effective way to take herbs, especially for those who do not want to ingest alcohol but has the drawback that you cannot disguise the taste of the more unpleasant herbs.
Steam inhalations are teas that are poured into a bowl and breathed either in through the nose or mouth, depending on which organ you are trying to reach. A really excellent and low tech way to treat sinus and lung infections as well as a great way to cleanse the face.
Decoctions are fresh or dried herbs that are boiled in water for 20 minutes, then used as teas, above. This method is used for roots and berries which need to be broken down a little to extract all the good stuff and will keep for a couple of days in the fridge. Decoctions can work like magic but do require some effort to prepare. Perhaps the effort and intention that’s put into the making creates the magic?
Syrups are essentially decocted or infused herbs that are preserved by saturating them with sugar to create a syrup. Very often used for chest conditions like coughs, they can also be useful as a base for children’s medicine as the sweetness can sometimes disguise bitter tasting herbs. Also used to prepare herbs that are hot in nature.
Tablet and capsules are dried and powdered herbs. In capsule form there is usually only dried herbs, in tablets there will be additions to make it stick together. Convenient to transport, store and with no taste the only down side is that it can sometimes need A LOT of tablet/capsules to reach a therapeutic dose.
Infused or macerated oils are made by mashing fresh or dried herbs into an oil, commonly sunflower or olive oil, and applying heat before straining out the herbs. Infused oils are applied directly to the skin or made into creams (see below). Oils can be very effective for cradle cap, bruises, dry eczema and dry itchy skin.
Creams are made by mixing infused oils and teas together using emulsifiers to keep them mixed together and preservatives to stop them going mouldy. They are put directly onto the skin for a range of conditions including itchiness, dryness, bruises, wounds, eczema, varicose veins, painful joints and general swelling.