- 1). Since fresh leaves are the most effective in herbal medications, growing your own herb garden is recommended, although you may also purchase dried herbs from a health-food store or other company.
- 2). To create an ointment, mix four parts hot lard to one part powdered herbs, and stir. If you are not planning to consume the herbal remedy immediately, be sure to preserve the mixture with a few drops of tincture of benzoin or other preservative.
- 3). Pour boiling water over dried herbs to create medicinal herbal teas. A good mix is 2 tbsp. herbs to 1 pint of water. If you are planning on drinking the tea, steep it for about 10 minutes. If you are planning to pour the infusion over a wound, steep it for 3 hours.
- 4). Create healing aromatic oils. Steep flower petals in pure oil for up to 2 days, replacing the petals with a new batch until the oil’s aroma is as strong as the actual flowers. This may take up to 10 days.
- 5). Store infusions in the refrigerator, and consume them within 3 days unless they have been preserved. Store oils and ointments in a dark, cool place to preserve them for up to 6 months.
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