How to use
Gather only perfect plan material, rejecting any that is insect-damaged or withered. Harvest selectively so that you don't kill the mother plant and be careful not to deplete the picking are Never pull parts off plants, which many damage the tender stems, but make clean cuts using a sharp knife or secateurs.
Make sure wild herbs are taken only from chemical or industrial pollution of air, water and soil. Above all, make sure you know what you are gathering.
Leaves, stems and flowers may be dried by spreading them out in loose single layers on a flat drying surface such as a wire cooling rack which allows the air to circulate. This can be done in sunlight or shade, which will lengthen the process but may preserve aromas to a greater extent. Paper bags may also be used, and once perfectly dry and crumbly, the material can be transferred to airlight jars. Store away from sunlight. Always label and date containers as herbs deteriorate with time.
Herbs are widely used in perfumes and toiletries. Botanicals, essential oils and essences are preparations made from plants that add many important properties to the final product.
Internal remedies: Herbal extracts which are taken orally and are intended to treat external or internal conditions.
Infusions: Made by steeping plant material in very hot water, ideally for about 10 minutes or so, once the beneficial compounds and flavours have been extracted. The strained liquid can then be taken orally or applied externally to treat skin disorders.
Herbal teas and tisanes: These are made in the same way as infusions, but are meant to be drunk. They can be made from berries or flowers or other non-caffeinated plants and served hot or cold. Teas can also be made from dried ingredients and mixed with other ingredients for added flavour.
Maceration: This is the process that involves a slow steeping of a variety of plant matters in any type of liquid, usually (but not limited to), oil. It is a good way of extracting delicate or highly volatile herbal essences "cold", thus preserving their signatures more accurately. Herbs can also be macerated in olive or other cooking oils as a way of imparting their unique flavours to foods cooked in the oils.
Suspension: A mixture in which extracted herbal particles are suspended in a liquid.
External remedies: Herbal preparations, such as lotions ointments, salves, creams or balms, intended for tropical application, usually to the skin.
In some cases the plants themselves may be applied to the skin in their fresh, dried or powdered forms, or added to poultices, plasters and compresses. They can also be the ingredients of steam inhalation as well as bath and massage oils.
Infusions: Made by steeping plant material in very hot water, ideally for about 10 minutes or so, once the beneficial compounds and flavours have been extracted. The strained liquid can then be taken orally or applied externally to treat skin disorders.
Herbal teas and tisanes: These are made in the same way as infusions, but are meant to be drunk. They can be made from berries or flowers or other non-caffeinated plants and served hot or cold. Teas can also be made from dried ingredients and mixed with other ingredients for added flavour.
Maceration: This is the process that involves a slow steeping of a variety of plant matters in any type of liquid, usually (but not limited to), oil. It is a good way of extracting delicate or highly volatile herbal essences "cold", thus preserving their signatures more accurately. Herbs can also be macerated in olive or other cooking oils as a way of imparting their unique flavours to foods cooked in the oils.
Suspension: A mixture in which extracted herbal particles are suspended in a liquid.
External remedies: Herbal preparations, such as lotions ointments, salves, creams or balms, intended for tropical application, usually to the skin.
In some cases the plants themselves may be applied to the skin in their fresh, dried or powdered forms, or added to poultices, plasters and compresses. They can also be the ingredients of steam inhalation as well as bath and massage oils.
