How To Make Medicine With Plants
Making medicine with plants is as easy as cooking a meal.
Food fuels our bodies. Most of us are aware that what we consume affects our bodies. “ You are what you eat.” is a phrase we have all heard. There are some grains of truth to that statement. What we consume does affect our bodies. This is why most medicines are consumed even if the health issue is on the outside of our bodies. Take for example the pill the dermatologists prescribes for eczema, it is consumed in pill form.
For those of us who do not want to rely on manufactured pharmaceuticals made with chemicals unknown, we have the original solution to good health still available to us. Nature, the plants God gave us to fuel our bodies and heal what ails ya. From cancer to the common sinus infection there is a plant for that. Each one has its own special character for the job it was created for.
Knowing how to turn that plant into medicine is vital. Once you have learned about your favorite plant you will be able to go straight to your “lab” (for me it’s my kitchen) and begin crafting your first healthy healing herbal solution to whatever ails ya.
Three forms of medicine made from plants are Tinctures, Teas, and poultices. These are the main forms of using plants for medicine. There are other ways to use plants as medicine that we will discuss in future posts. These three are the main go-to due to their ease of use and creation. Let’s dive into it!
TINCTURES:
These are liquid medicine made with plant matter (Dry or Fresh) and a liquid such as alcohol, vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar. Recipes vary depending on potency and the materials that are chosen. The plant and liquid chosen are mixed together in a container and left sitting in warmth (room temp) for a period of time to reach potency, normally 6–8 wks.
During this time frame, the liquid is extracting the plant’s medicine into itself. When the allotted time frame has passed it is then time to remove the plant matter from the liquid that is now your medicine. This is done by simply straining the liquid with a sieve or strainer of your choice. The plant matter is tossed away and your clean liquid medicine is now ready for a container and use.
The container is suggested to be glass for purity and dark in colors such as brown or blue like the pharmacy cough syrup container. These shaded glass containers protect the medicine’s potency by reducing the light allowed in. That is a tincture folks. Consume a spoonful or drop a shot in your juice whenever the ailments arrive.
TEAS:
Handcraft medicine with measured Tea bags! Plants & water = medicine. Tea is medicine made with plants and water. Tea is also known as an extract because the medicine is extracted into the liquid through the brewing process. Hot water (not boiling) poured over medicinal plants left to brew for 3–7 minutes can provide a cup of magic for those looking to clear a sinus infection or even clean out the blood depending on the medicine plant chosen.
A spoonful of honey makes the medicine go down is what I’ve been told and it’s true. Medicine does not always taste the greatest. Putting it into tea form can cause some funny faces when it’s consumed if not dressed up with some flavorful sweetness.
Learning the medicinal properties of plants and their flavors can help one to dress up the taste of a tea with a few blends of plants all matching in the desired properties. Often one gross tasting plant can become very tasty in a tea with only honey or a splash of your favorite juice added.
TIP: Tea can be stored in the fridge or freezer and used as a medicinal wash for skin and hair.
POULTICE:
No tasting or consumption is required for these. A poultice is simply a package of plant medicine. This package known as a poultice is used on the exterior of the body rather than consuming it. A sprained ankle, a severe cut that has been stitched or is infected, bee stings, dog bites, burns, and more are all examples of what a poultice would be used for. The plant chosen for medicine is placed inside of a cloth. It is wrapped tightly together and warmed by steam to release the plant's medicinal magic and placed on the wound or infected area for healing and relief of pain.
That’s it, folks. That is the simple formula for making medicine with plants. Next time cooking a meal brew tea leaves in water too. Some shredded ginger brewed in a cup could help the meal digest better for you! Catch up on your medicine making skills and herbal knowledge while drinking your brew by reading all of Heaven’s Healthy Healing Herbals & Solutions!
