Herb Information:
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Drying: Herbs need to be dried in a warm, dark, dry and well ventilated place such as: an airing cupboard, an attic space (not to hot), in the oven at a low temperature with the door ajar on a piece of brown paper with holes in it, a plate warming compartment or a spare room with the curtains shut and the door open.
The temperature should be maintained at 21-30C/70-85F. Always maintain a good airflow around the herbs to hasten the drying and to discourage mould.
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Storing: Store in glass jars with an airtight lid. Label with the name and date. Keep in a dry, cool area and keep out of the light. If stored properly, the shelf life of dried herbs is approximately one year.
Dried herbs are usually more powerful than fresh so use sparingly and add a little at a time.
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Dosage: To make a single dose use 5ml (1tsp) of dried herb or 10ml (2tsp) of fresh herb to a cup of water. For young children, the weak or elderly the amount of herbs should be halved.
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Infusion: Boil the water and pour over the herbs and cover. Use the purest water you can or if you live in a hard water area then use bottled. Infuse for 5-10 minutes. Strain and use; or can be stored in a fridge for up to three days. Sweeten with honey, lemon or raw brown sugar. Do not drink more than 2 cups of any one medicinal herb in 24 hours, unless under guidance from a qualified practitioner.
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Decoction: This method is used for hard seeds, roots and barks, which need longer than an infusion.
Crush and bruise the herb, put into a saucepan with the water and slowly bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes with the lid on. Cool, strain and use; or can be stored in a fridge for up to 3 days.
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Ointment and creams: Prepare and strain a strong decoction or infusion of the herb and add this to a quantity of pure, cold-pressed vegetable oil, such as sunflower oil, emulsifying oil or petroleum jelly. Heat over boiling water for about 2 hours then strain. To stiffen as a cream, stir in 25g (1oz) of melted beeswax. After the mixture cools, add 2 tsp Vitamin E oil as a preservative and mix well. Pour into containers and allow to cool completely. Most creams will keep for up to one year.
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Poultice: Mash or crush fresh plant parts and either heat in a pan over boiling water or mix with a small amount of boiling water. Apply the pulp directly to the skin, as hot as can be tolerated, holding it in place with a gauze bandage. If using dried herb, first powder it and make a paste with a little boiling water. If the paste is liable to irritate the skin, apply it between two layers of cloth.
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Essential oils: These are the concentrated essences of plants usually extracted by steam distillation. It is possible to obtain minute amounts at home but more sensible to purchase them. They are excellent for making tinctures, adding to massage oils, ointments and other external applications.
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IMPORTANT: The information, recipes and remedies contained herein are generally applicable and appropriate in most cases, but before trying any herbal remedies it is advisable to sample a small quantity first to establish whether there is any adverse or allergic reaction. Do not attempt any form of self-diagnosis or treatment for serious complaints without first seeking professional advice. Welsh Herbs cannot be held responsible for any problems arising from the mistaken identity of any plants or remedies, or the inappropriate use of any remedy or recipe.