manipulated plant based elixers, essential oils, herbal teas and supplements

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chicory on September 24, 2009 at 1:01pm

I get great satisfaction from walking through the woods and fields here every day.... I always examine different plants closely, the leaves, texture, smell, smell when crushed, the roots, the way the roots smell... it really does send you to another plane.. you feel more connected with the plant and the earth. I haven't done this recently, but you can steep flowers, bark, leaves in pretty much any type of oil, the more mild scented the better. Flowers should be changed out daily... bark and twigs you can let go longer. I have the greatest book, called the herb book by Jonathan Lust. There are recipes for tinctures, oils, poultices, etc for each plant. At the back of the book there are also recipes for natural fabric dyes, tobacco alternatives, teas, bath additives, etc. Some require heat, some not. :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jude Fox on September 28, 2009 at 11:21am

Another wonderful book is called Hedgerow Medicine by Julie Bruton. I make lots of herbal infusions from dried and fresh plants, these require hot water - unless you live somewhere really sunny - then they could simply be infused on a sunny window. Infused oils can use fresh herbs and raw oils, again on a sunny windowsill. I also make tinctures - these need to be infused in alcohol though - vodka or brandy - not raw, I know, but you would only need a teaspoon full. Herbs can also be infused in raw honey if you use honey, and then there are fresh poultices for external treatments etc....so there are lots of options! x

▶ Reply to This