Herbal Teas and Extracts: How Much Should I Use?

Determining how much of an herb to use is fairly straightforward, especially for acute and first aid uses.

  

Most of the time, herbs are measured in drops for liquid extracts and cups for teas.Capsules are another popular choice, but I don't cover them here because, although empty capsules can be filled at home, they have to be manufactured elsewhere. Extracts, on the other hand, can be made at home from start to finish with homemade fruit-based alcohol or apple cider vinegar. Herbal teas can also be grown at home from seed to harvest, so we will look at those as well. 

To determine how much of an herb to give, first determine whether or not it is considered safe for normal use or if it is a low dose botanical. A low dose botanical is an herb that has a traditional record of use in small quantities, but may or may not be considered safe according to modern research. Lobelia is one example. It is potentially toxic and can induce vomiting in large doses, but in small doses was traditionally used as an effective lung support herb for asthma. Normal herbs are given in 15-30 drop quantities, while the dose for lobelia was traditionally started at 5 drops. This is where it is important to have several good books on hand when you are becoming acquainted with a new herb, and it also pays to look up the herb in a more historical work as well. At least one of your reference books should be written by a fairly technical herbalist who likes to go into nitty gritty details such as dosage rather than simply leaving it to be implied. One excellent resource for this is Michael Tierra's book, Planetary Herbology, which briefly covers hundreds of herbs from several traditions around the world.

  

As stated above, most herbal extracts are given in 15-30 drop quantities. This is usually assuming a body weight of 150 lbs, or one to two drops per ten lbs of body weight. One drop per ten lbs is a good place to start for children, and it can be increased to two if needed.

It's been my experience that homemade extracts can have higher levels of sediment than store bought ones, so I'm not really a fan of storing my extracts with dropper top bottles. I use screw on caps but keep clean droppers stored separately- the droppers are convenient, just not when they clog repeatedly. Which they will do, especially on extracts you don't use everyday.

 

So, either store the dropper separately, or learn to use a quarter teaspoon measuring spoon. 1/4 teaspoon of extract equals roughly 30 drops. By adding the extract to a small amount of water and dividing the water in half, you will have approximately 15 drops, and in half again will yield about seven.

Teas are just as straightforward as extracts. One cup (8oz) of tea is enough for one serving for a person weighing approximately 150 pounds. Since there are 16 tablespoons in a cup, estimate one tablespoon of tea for every ten pounds of body weight, and adjust upward as needed

Frequency of use is another consideration. If you know that the herb you are planning to use falls under the category of normal use, next consider what type of problem you are addressing.

If it is an acute imbalance, such as a cold or something else that comes on suddenly, herbs can be taken every hour as needed for a few days. If the imbalance is chronic- something that has been around for months or years, it is generally best to use the herbs two or three times a day, and expect that they will need to be continued for one month to every year the imbalance has been experienced.

Six Herbs to Help Care for Cuts and Scrapes

Cuts and scrapes aren't much to worry about in today's relatively sterile environments. Clean water and soap are readily available for washing, tetanus shots are usually kept up to date. Well, barring any shortages- I distinctly remember being a teenager and going for my physical, only to have the doctor wring her hands and say she would have to check if they had tetanus vaccines available, because I was long overdue for a booster shot but there was a shortage. And that's in a very affluent, suburban area of the US, mind you.

Anyway, it's very easy for us to take it for granted that our cuts and scrapes are just minor inconveniences, and not the major health threat they can morph into under less than sanitary conditions!

In a bad situation, even a tiny cut can lead to dangerous infections if it comes into contact with another person's blood or body fluids, animal saliva, fecal matter, germs from the soil, or in germs in unsantized lake, river or well water. Germs that enter through a cut can cause all sorts of complications in an extreme setting: tetanus, rabies, gangrene, systemic infections that lead to organ failure and death. . . Yeah, none of that sounds fun. I think I'll pass, thanks.
 
So, keep those cuts clean and dry, and seek medical attention at the first sign that things might be going south! Stay healthy and keep those immune systems up to speed, too.   

In a less than ideal situation, or one with limited access to medical care, here's what to remember:

Keep it clean and dry.
Only use water that has been sanitized.
Keep it covered to keep stuff out.
Respect the scab: it's there for a reason. 

For more technical information on how to keep cuts and scrapes thoroughly clean, take a look at a good first aid manual; for now, let's focus on how to use herbs once the basic first aid is out of the way.

One of the easiest ways to use herbs to help care for cuts and scrapes is as a wash or compress: make an herbal tea and allow it to cool, then apply with gauze or a clean cloth to the desired area. Allow to air dry. Another great way is as a salve that can be applied after the area is cleaned. Here's a look at five herbs that can be used either as washes or as salves, and one herb that can be used as an extract or powder:

Yarrow: was traditionally used help stop bleeding, and an alcohol extract has the added benefit of containing, well, alcohol! Some herbalists use it as a styptic in its dried, powdered form.

Bee Balm: the leaves and flowers were used in the past as a wound wash, especially if the area was red and hot to the touch (in modern parlance, we know that this indicates that an infections may be setting in) but leaves aren't generally available at the stores, so that only helps if you are growing your own.

Rose petals: also make a good wound wash, or ingredient in salves.

Plantain and Chickweed: make really great salves for cuts and scrapes, especially when made with the fresh herbs.

Elder: the flowers and leaves of elder both have traditional skin care applications. They can be used as a wash, or made into a salve. Elder was believed to promote fast healing.  





  

Four Herbs for Emotional Support, Post Emergency

So many herbs can be used for support during and after short term stressful events that trying to choose between them can be overwhelming even on a good day. So it's best to decide what you will want to have on hand ahead of time. Herbs are also excellent at supporting the body through long term stressful situations, but the approach for that also requires lifestyle adjustments for best results. For now, let's focus on regaining equilibrium after a sudden shock or event. 

Essentially, herbs for both types of situation all come from the same class of herbs called nervines. Lavender, linden, rose, skullcap, motherwort, valerian, passionflower, and lemon balm are all examples. Herbs that are often used for more long term care can also be used as needed in a short term setting, but a few really stand out for short term support.

These are:

Rose- for it's uplifting influence, and it's ability to support a sense of being soothed and nurtured.

Hawthorn- for it's grounding influence, and it's ability to support a sense of calmness and courage (or at least make things feel less insurmountable!)

Angelica-for it's expanding influence (where shock is seen as a type of emotional contraction) and it's traditional uses in soothing  anxiety and pains (such as headaches and stomach aches) related to anxiety.

Albizia - for it's ability to calm and settle the spirit and lift the mood. Known as "The Tree of Happiness" or "Happiness Bark" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this herb has been valued for centuries for it's ability to help support emotional equilibrium. Albizia is also very beneficial for emotional upheaval associated with grief.

I prefer to use albizia by itself (it also gets used a lot for physical bumps and bruises around here), but the other three work very well together in a combination.

One of my favorite extracts to keep on hand for life's sudden shocks and setbacks is a combination (or compound, as herbalists are found of calling them) of Rose+Hawthorn+Angelica. I favor a ratio of 2 parts rose, 1 part hawthorn, and 1 part angelica, but this can be changed to equal parts, or to only 1/2 part angelica (some people may find the angelica makes them feel too spacey).  I use like any standard extract, 15-30 drops at a time, either mixed in a little water or added to a glass of warm milk.

Next week, we will look at  something that's all to easy to take for granted in our relatively sterile society of tetanus shots, triple antibiotic ointment, and sanitary living conditions. Stay tuned for an article about herbal care for cuts and scrapes!

Herbs+What? The Quick Guide to Herbal Preparations

Probably the most familiar herbal preparations for most people are the little bottles of liquid extracts or bottles of capsules available at stores that carry herbal products. However, there are plenty of other options for anyone interested in using herbs at home or stocking an herbal first aid kit. Other options, even, that are less expensive and more versatile.

Starting with bulk dried herbs (some health food stores carry them, or they can be ordered online), a number of simple preparations can be made at home with the addition of a few other ingredients:

Herbs+Water
Makes a "Tea". In herbal-speak, we call this an infusion or decoction depending on the ingredients and the length of time it gets steeped. Herbs+Water can also be used on the skin by applying with a clean cloth and laying over the desired area, or as a soak or bath.

Herbs+Vinegar
Makes an "Herbal Vinegar," or a "Vinegar Extract" depending on the ratio of herbs to vinegar. Herbs+Vinegar can be used topically or internally, and as a flavoring agent in foods or drinks. An Herbs+Vinegar extract can as a substitute for an Herbs+Alcohol extract when alcohol is either not available or not desirable for a situation. Vinegar interacts with herbs somewhat differently than alcohol, and the shelf life is not as long (alcohol extracts, when done well, can last upwards of five years), but hey are still very well suited for the home herbalist.

Herbs+Honey
Makes an "Herbal Honey" or "Electuary." Can be eaten right off the spoon, stirred into water to make a beverage, or rolled into little balls of the appropriate serving size.

Herbs+Oil
Makes an "Infused Oil." Depending on the herbs used, the oil can be used as a cooking ingredient or applied to the skin for skincare purposes. Herbs+Oil+Wax= Salve/Ointment.

Herbs+Alcohol
Herbs+Alcohol usually means Herbs+Grain alcohol, which is the usual composition of herbal extracts available in commerce. Other possibilities for the home herbalist, though, include Herbs+Brandy or Herbs+Wine.

Stay tuned for next week's post: A Guide To Herbal Emergency Preparedness-What Herbs, What Forms, and How Much to Store

Twelve Herbs Every Prepper Should Know

Here at the Independent Herbalist, there are twelve herbs that I have fallen in love with over the years for their versatility and common availability. All of these herbs can be grown almost anywhere, and most of them are either native or have naturalized widely in North America (which means they are great candidates for foraging as well as gardening!)  

Below, I have made a list of the plants along with a link to the USDA plant database. By following the link, you will be taken to pictures of each plant, range maps of where it grows wild, and a related links tab. Under the related links tab, you can find ethnobotanical information (that's the recorded medicinal uses of Native peoples) and gardening information on each plant. Many of the herbs also have a PDF file put together by the USDA plant database people, but not all- so be sure to check out that related links tab!

There are an incredible range of uses for each of the herbs below, but think of this as an introduction or study guide to help learn how to visually identify each plant and learn a general overview of some historical uses. 
 
Angelica:  Angelic archangelica or Angelica atropurpurea (most herbalists consider them interchangeable)

Bee Balm: Monarda fistulosa

Catnip: Nepeta cataria 

Dandelion: Taraxacum officinale

Elder: Sambucus nigra or Sambucus nigra spp canadensis (American elder is considered interchangeable with the European Sambucus nigra)

Hawthorn: Crataegus monogyna

Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis

Mullein: Verbascum thapsus

Peppermint: Mentha x piperita

Rose: Rosa canina

Valerian: Valeriana officinalis

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium

The USDA Database is a wonderful resources for many other plants as well- just bear in mind you need to have the scientific binomial for the plants you want to research (ie 'Taraxacum officinale' vs Dandelion). It can be a bit fiddly, but it's well worth it!

Stay tuned, our next post will be: Herbs+What?: The Quick Guide to Herbal Preparations  

Announcing: A Year's Worth of Herbs and Preparedness with the Independent Herbalist!

September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the CDC, so this month I am going to kick off a year's worth of posts on herbalism for emergency preparedness! Not only will I be presenting a wide range of topics and resources over the coming year, but I will also be blogging about my gardening adventures as I create an herbal garden focused on preparedness.

Why herbs for preparedness? Most guides on putting together emergency kits discuss what pharmaceuticals should be included, but little, if any, attention is given to one big problem: what happens when your supplies run out?

Being able to turn to herbs in such a scenario makes sense. Unlike pharmaceuticals, herbs are a renewable resource.  As long as they are being sustainably harvested, then running out shouldn't be an issue. Also, certain herbal preparations have a long shelf life that makes them better suited  for long term storage than pharmaceuticals: a properly prepared herbal extract can remain viable for ten years or more. Additionally, herbs are versatile, with a long historical record of use and safety.

Unlike having a selection of point-and-shoot pharmaceuticals at your disposal, however, herbs require more finesse when being applied in any given situation. Thankfully, the basic skillset associated with using herbs is simple and rewarding to master. Over the next several months, we will explore specific herbs and ways to prepare them, first aid topics, and gardening and foraging skills that would be useful in a preparedness setting.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming articles for this year!

Stay tuned, the next post will be: Twelve Herbs Every Prepper Should Know