The Complete Herbal Tutor. Anne Mcintyre

applied directly to the skin. They need to be softened first by removing any hard stalks or ribs and immersing them briefly in hot water to prevent any discomfort to the skin. Once applied they can be secured in place by a light bandage and left overnight.

       Liniments

      A rubbing oil or liniment consists of extracts of herbs in an oil or tincture, or a mixture of both. The oils can be infused oils or essential oils diluted in a base such as sesame oil. They are used in massage to relax or stimulate muscles and ligaments, or to soothe away pain from inflammation or injury. They are intended to be absorbed by the skin to reach the affected part, and so they often contain stimulating essential oils such as ginger or black pepper and are therefore not suitable for use on delicate baby skins.

       Oils

      Essential oils need to be used with care especially with children and babies. They can be used diluted in a base oil such as sesame oil (1–2 drops of oil per 5ml of base oil) for massage and to add to the bath. They can be used in burners to permeate the atmosphere or in inhalations for a variety of symptoms such as colds, catarrh, coughs, insomnia and anxiety.

      While essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants professionally by steam distillation, infused oils can be prepared easily at home.

      1 Place finely chopped, preferably fresh herbs (make sure they are not wet) in a jar with a tight fitting lid, cover them with an oil such as almond, coconut, olive or sesame, pouring it up to the top of the jar, and then stir well.

      2 Add the lid, label the jar with the name of the herb and the date, then leave the jar on a sunny windowsill to macerate for about 2 to 4 weeks. Be aware that if there is moisture on the plant or in the jar, or it is left too long, the oil may go mouldy.

      The oil will gradually take up the constituents of the plant; you can see this in action when you macerate St John's wort flowers in oil. In a matter of minutes, the oil will turn a deep red colour. St John's wort oil is a very useful remedy for healing cuts and sores, and when massaged over the affected part, it can relieve painful nerve conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and shingles. After 2–4 weeks filter the oil through muslin into a clean jug, squeezing hard to extract as much oil as possible from the flowers. Then pour into an airtight, dark bottle, label it with the name and date of the oil, and store in a cool dark place to retain its therapeutic value for a maximum length of time.

       Herbal Baths

      A fragrant hot bath makes a very pleasant and simple way to take herbs. There are various ways of adding herbs to bath water; you can use dilute essential oils (1 drop of essential oil per drop of base oil such as sesame oil) and add them to the bath water; hang a muslin bag containing fresh or dried aromatic herbs under the hot tap as you draw the bath; or pour a pint (600ml) of a strong herbal infusion (double the standard dose described on page 79) into the water. Soak in the warm bath for 10-20 minutes.

      When herbs are used in this way, the essential oils from the plants are taken in via the pores of the skin which are opened up by the warmth of the water. The oils are also carried on the steam which is simultaneously inhaled via nose and mouth into the lungs, and from there into the bloodstream. From the nose messages are carried from the oils via nerve pathways to the brain. In this way herbal medicines are assimilated quickly and directly, bypassing the lengthy process of digestion involved when herbs are taken by mouth. They are particularly useful for relaxing and soothing the nervous system and for easing mental and emotional strain.

      Lavender, lemon balm, basil, holy basil, rose and chamomile are not only wonderfully fragrant but also relaxing, calming tension and anxiety and helping to ensure restful sleep. Chamomile is excellent for fractious children, particularly when they are unwell, for not only does it possess antimicrobial properties but also it helps induce sleep – nature's best way to ward off infection and enable self-healing. Rosemary baths, while also relaxing, have a stimulating edge as they enhance blood flow to the head and promote alertness and concentration.

      Herbal sitz baths can be very useful for soothing the pain and irritation of cystitis, vaginal infections or haemorrhoids. Simply fill a large, shallow bowl with about a litre (1.75 pints) of strained, strong infusion, enough to reach the necessary areas, sit in it and relax for 10–15 minutes!

       Hand and Foot Baths

      Mustard foot baths were used historically for all afflictions of cold and damp climates, from colds and flu to poor circulation and arthritis. The ancient tradition of hand and foot baths was made popular by the famous French herbalist, Maurice Messegue, who has written several books on herbal therapy based simply on this form of treatment. He recommends foot baths for 8 minutes in the evening and hand baths for 8 minutes in the morning. According to Messegue, the hands and feet are highly sensitive areas of the skin, rich in nerve endings and, despite some thickening of the skin from use, the constituents pass easily from the skin into the body. To try this, add 1tablespoon of mustard powder to a bowl of hot water, test the temperature and then sit with your feet in it for 8–10 minutes.

       Shelf Life

      The way herbs are prepared and stored is important as it will affect the length of time that plants will maintain their therapeutic components and therefore their beneficial effects. Powders have the shortest “shelf life,” which means the amount of time they can be stored on your shelves, and generally should be kept in dark, air tight containers and for no more than 6–9 months. Because they tend to oxidise and thereby deteriorate relatively rapidly, powders are often made into capsules and tablets to extend their shelf life; some are given protective coatings. Powders can also be combined with pastes and herbal extracts to extend their shelf life. Tablets will keep for longer, although they should be stored similarly away from direct sunlight. Herbal tinctures and glycerites will keep up to 3 years.

      Stored properly, herbal tinctures will keep up to 3 years.

       The Materia Medica

      A Materia Medica is a compendium of medicinal herbs used for their theraputic effects, and traditionally describes each herb's pharmacological properties and medicinal actions. The first such collection of knowledge on healing plants appeared in India around 700 BCE, compiled by the scholar Charaka, and a similar manual was assembled in China around 1000 CE. The term Materia Medica is Latin and has been around since Roman times when Dioscorides wrote a five-volume in Greek, De Materia Medica, which was subsequently translated into Latin around 60 CE. Dioscorides' book was a commentary on around 500 medicinal plants.

      How to Use the Materia Medica

      The Materia Medica is the heart of this book. It is a comprehensive directory of the 150 herbs most commonly used by modern Western herbalists. They are all easily available from most herbal suppliers, and because this book is intended for use by lay people as well as students and practitioners of herbal medicine, none of them is a “Schedule 3” herb, that is herbs whose dosage is restricted by law due to the presence of powerful constituents, often alkaloids, that require caution in their use.

      The Materia Medica is a detailed herb directory, organised alphabetically by Latin name. Each entry includes the common name, family, parts used, major constituents and the actions of the plants. It then lists the herb's indications for use in treatment according to the systems of the body, including recent cross-reference to the Treating Common Ailments chapter (see pages 275–353) so that you can be informed about the herbs that you choose.

       ACHILLEA