Herbalism & Essential Oils 101

Herbalism & Essential Oils 101

Medicinal Uses

The primary method of treating patients with natural substances generally revolves around the homeopathic school of thought. The homeopathic principle states that a patient exhibiting symptoms will be treated with a substance that would cause the same symptom if it were administered in a large dose. For instance, mistletoe leaves and twigs are used in the treatment of epilepsy because in very large dose mistletoe can cause seizures, especially in children. Another example of this methodology would be the Native American tradition of treating fever with a session in a sweat lodge. The herbs or other remedies are, however, generally administered in very small doses but at frequent intervals. The homeopathic method of herbal use is usually summed up in the phrase “fight fire with fire” or “treat like with like.”

Essential Oils

The active ingredient for herbal remedies on a mundane level is essential oil. Essential oil is the liquid extract of the chemical essence of the plant. This extract exists in very small amounts but is highly potent. It may take a hundred pounds of plant matter to extract a single milliliter of essential oil. All herbal remedies generally revolve around releasing the essential oil in a plant and then either ingesting the oil in one form or another or applying the substance topically. The plant is a carrier and manufacturer or the oil but it’s the oil itself that contains the healing properties. It should also be noted that some herbs that are generally toxic in any amount can be used for herbal remedies even internally by diluting the essential oil enough so that it’s not chemically present but a molecular signature of the oil is still present in the remedy. On a practical level, the oil is not actually present in the remedy in a chemically measurable amount and thus can do no damage but the vibration or electrical signature of the oil is still present. Often, this is more than enough to be effective.

General Rules for Herbal Preparations

When using Leaves or Flowers Steep two teaspoons per cup of water for twenty minutes. Strain and store in a refrigerated, airtight container. The dose is generally one-fourth of a cup four times a day, not with meals. Children take one-eighth cup, and infants can receive the herbs through the mother’s milk or in very trace amounts. (taken from A Druid’s Herbal)

When using Roots, Barks, Seeds and Twigs Simmer two teaspoons of plant matter for twenty minutes, strain, and store as above. The does is one fourth cup, four times a day, not with meals. (taken from A Druid’s Herbal)

Herbal teas will stay fresh in your refrigerator for about one week when stored in an airtight container. (taken from A Druid’s Herbal)

If using a mortar and pestle to combine ingredients or crush material always remember to thoroughly wash both mortar and pestle with soap and water after each use. Rinse profusely to remove all remnants of soap. Always sanitize your mortar and pestle by boiling or lightly dowsing them in alcohol and allowing them to air dry before use. You may consider purchasing a separate mortar and pestle for resins like myrrh, frankincense, copal and dragon’s blood since these elements are difficult to clean out.

Cleanliness and sterility is of the utmost importance when dealing with open wounds, internal medicine and organic compounds that will be stored for long periods of time. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to use high quality alcohol in tinctures and sterilize all equipment to be used before hand.

Use the lowest temperature possible when using heat to prepare herbal remedies. Simmering or boiling plant matter doesn’t mean to turn it to charcoal. Extreme temperatures can very easily destroy the active chemicals in an essential oil and therefore render them medicinally useless. A boil need not be a rolling boil and a simmer need not vaporize water on contact with the pan.

One tincture does not an herbalist make. Botany and homeopathic remedies cannot be mastered overnight. There are often hundreds and thousands of sub-species of plants that all have their own unique chemical properties. Never assume that you are correct when it comes to medicine and someone’s health. Doctors study intensely for many years to be licensed to begin to practice medicine. It can often take just as many years to gain mastery over herbalism.

Always be 100% sure when possible. Never take a risk with anyone’s health. If the situation is an emergency and it’s possible to get emergency medical attention from a qualified professional, then do so immediately.

Other Sources:

http://www.SimpleHomeBrewing.com
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Additional reading:

1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism Illustrated throughout in full color, this indispensable reference work is a complete A-to-Z compendium of aromatics, with extensive information...



2. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: A Complere Guide to the Use of Aromatics in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-Being (Health workbooks) The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: A Complere Guide to the Use of Aromatics in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-Being (Health workbooks) A must-have reference book for anyone interested in essential oil’s healing properties. Comprehensive A to Z...

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