Forms of Herbal Therapies
Herbs are plants or parts of plants that contain medicinal qualities. Some herbs
can be taken as whole. One such herb is fresh aloe, which can be used topically
to treat burns and minor cuts. Other herbs must be transformed into a form that
is suitable for ingestion.
Herbs are living organisms that have a very short life after they are removed
from their source of nutrition (that is, picked from the ground). Enzyme activity
begins to cause the herb to decay immediately after the herb is harvested.
Therefore, steps must be taken to preserve the herb by drying it in sunlight or by
using another heat source. Drying removes moisture and lowers the enzyme
activity. This enables the herb to retain its therapeutic qualities for up to
six months.
Extraction techniques are used to remove the therapeutic material from an
herb. The most commonly used extraction technique is to first isolate the part of
the herb that contains the therapeutic material and then soak that part in alcohol
or water. This helps to produce a reliable dose.
Some extractions take the form of oils. Herbal oil is prepared by soaking the
dried herb in olive oil or vegetable oil and heating the herb for an extended
period of time. Oils promote the concentration of the therapeutic material and, if
properly stored, extend the therapeutic life of the material for months.
Herbal therapies also come in the form of salves. Salves are semi-solid fatty
preparations such as balms, creams, and ointments. They are prepared in a way
similar to herbal oils except once the dried herb is soaked in oil, melted wax is
mixed with the oil. It is left to cool and harden to form the therapeutic balm, cream,
or ointment.
Herbal tea is another popular form of herbal therapy. Herbal tea is made by
soaking fresh or dried herbs in boiling water. Once the herb blends with the
water, the resulting tea can be stored in the refrigerator for later use as a drink,
bath water additive, or applied topically in a compress to the skin.
Herbs are also available as tinctures. Chaparral tincture, for example, contains
important ingredients that cannot be dissolved in water. Tinctures are also a con-
venient way to take herbs that does not require kitchen preparation. Disagreeable-
tasting herbs can be swallowed more quickly and can be masked with juice.
Tinctures are made by soaking fresh or dried herbs in water or alcohol causing
the water-soluble and fat-soluble components of the herb to concentrate. The
concentrate is the desired form. Water is used for people who do not consume
alcohol. Alcohol is used to preserve the herbal concentrate for a year.
CHAPTER 8 Herbal Therapy^127