Herbal Preparations - Part One, General herb care, and making oils.

[PsychoFantasy]

Herbal Preparations - Part One

General Herb Care :
Keep all dried herbs and herbal preparations in a cool, dry place out of direct light. Tinted containers work well. Always label each herb or preparation with the name and date it was stored/made.


Prepare and store all herbs and herbal preparations in glass or stainless steel (for decoctions, oils and salves) containers. If at all possible, avoid plastic and especially aluminum if you can help it. If you find your dried herbs growing mold when you store them in air-tight containers, try using paper lunch bags with the next batch. In warm wet climates (such as Florida) this is a problem and the paper bags let the herbs ‘breathe.’ Or, if you have extra panty hose laying around, make a small square, tie some rice up in it, and drop it into the container. The rice will absorb any excess moisture.


Try to keep herbs and herbal preparations away from metals. Most metals are highly reactive with preparations. If you must use metals, use stainless steel.


Use common sense; if it’s moldy, don’t use it; if it’s faded or discolored, don’t take chances; if you’re not sure, ask an herbalist.


Oils:
There are a couple ways to make oils. I will list two methods. The first comes from a now defunct website (http://greenfield.fortunecity.com) :


MATERIALS:

A glass jar with an air-tight lid

Almond, Grapeseed, Olive, or other quality oil

Herbs (Of course!)


Make sure that the jar and lid are clean and dry. This is VERY important. If using fresh herbs, make sure that they are free of excess moisture as well. Do not wash the herbs, even if they seem a little ‘dusty.’


This is best done outside as it is a messy project. But we all have to get a lil’ messy sometimes, right?


INSTRUCTIONS: Break up and bruise the herbs in your hands and place them in your jar. Pour oil over the plant materials to cover them, and ~gently~ (so you don’t spill the oil) tap the jar to see if you can get any of the air bubbles the plants may have trapped to go to the surface of the oil. Fill the rest of the jar with oil until it is above the rim. It’s okay if you spill a bit, but make sure that the oil is ~over~ the rim. Carefully place the lid onto the jar and tighten it. After wiping it clean, place the jar in a warm, sunny location. The Day after you put the oil in the jar, tap it again, to see if you can release any more bubbles. Reopen the jar and add more oil if you need to. Make sure the lid is tight, and shake the jar. For the next 6 weeks, keep the jar in a warm, sunny location and shake it daily. If you notice any air bubbles, open it up and add more oil and shake it again. After the 6 weeks are up, open the jar (it may be a bit difficult) and strain as much of the plant matter out as possible. (A sieve would come in handy). Store in an air-tight, glass container.


Oils generally keep from 6 months to 1 year. If it is an oil with a lot of protein (like comfrey oil) it will go bad quicker.


Our second method comes from Scott Cunningham’s Complete Book of Incense, Oils, and Brews:


MATERIALS:


A glass jar with an air-tight lid, sterilized (You can sterilize the jar and lid by boiling them on the stove for about 15 minutes. Just make sure they stay submerged)

Essential oils of your choosing

1/8 cup carrier oil such as: Almond, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Safflower, Sunflower, Olive, Coconut and Apricot Kernel. The best carrier oils are those with little scent.


INSTRUCTIONS: If you haven’t already, pour the carrier oil into the glass container. Then, Using a dropper, add the essential oil to the carrier in the proportions recommended by the recipe you are using, or use your own. Swirl the oils into the carrier; do not stir. Gently rotate the oil clockwise. Finally, store all oils away from heat, light, and moisture in air-tight, opaque or dark colored glass bottles. Label, and keep for use.


I much prefer this method.


Oils have many uses, both magickal and mundane. They can be used for massaging, perfume; anointing candles, talismans, amulets, and even yourself. Anoint crystals with an oil to boost their power. Use oils with visualization and power (when warranted). Visualize your need while preparing the oil, and while using the oil.

[heathenmomma]

Coolness! Good info!

I have a couple of awesome videos about Herbology (medicinal).

The videos are made by a chick who goes by Kay Moondreamer, she's very informative but she tends to be very monotonous when she talks. I don't think she has any links of her own, though.

I'd have to look at the videos again to find out where to order them directly from, but I got mine from One Spirit years ago. There's actually 3 videos in her series. I'll dig up more info on it later..

[heathenmomma]

BTW I love your siggy! I LOL'd at it