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How to Make Herbal Potions |
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How to Make Herbal Potions |
BREWING HERBAL FORMULAS 101 I seldom use prescription medications, so I have lost touch with how much medicines cost. When I recently had to get a prescription filled for a few pills and the clerk told me the cost was $110.00, I nearly had a heart attack! It made me so glad that I understand how to use and how to make herbal preparations. First, because they work so well. And second, because they are soooo much less expensive. To someone who is not generally familiar with herbs, buying and using herbal formulas can be a bit bewildering. So perhaps the best way to advance is to simply give you a complete description of how to do this for yourself: HERE’S WHAT TO DO Let's say you are going to make one of the formulas I have included elsewhere on this site. Make a list of the herbs and quantity you will need. Then, go to any reputable health food store where you don’t have to worry about the quality of the bulk herbs you will be purchasing. (I particularly avoid GNC). Get the quantity of herbs you need. While you’re at it, buy a small kitchen scale so you can carefully weigh out the amounts of herbs you will use. If you think you will be using the herbal formula for an extended period of time, buy larger quantities of herbs; making a larger amount of a "potion" is much less expensive overall than making a small batch. However, if you want to “try it out” first, reduce the quantities proportionally. I usually use large, 3 liter glass jars with rubber gasket tops to make my herbal formulas. These can be purchased at any store where you would ordinarily buy kitchen supplies. Let’s say I was making the Flash Formula (included further below in this section). After weighing out the correct amount, calculated to total about 16 ounces of herbs, put all the herbs into the 3 liter jar. Add about 2 ¼ liters of the cheapest vodka you can find. Close the top and shake this up a few times. Place into a cabinet or anywhere out of direct light. Every few days or so, give the jar a few shakes to mix everything up. After 30 days, carefully pour off the liquid which is now fully charged with the power of the bulk herbs you put in. Figure out some way to squeeze additional liquid out of the herbs that are left. Using several layers of cheesecloth is the easiest. They make herb presses, and if you really get into this, it is well worth purchasing one, as you will recover a substantial amount of liquid you would otherwise throw away. Keep your new herbal formula in a glass container for storage. When ready to use, do this: Buy a 4 or 6 ounce dropper bottle at any drugstore, and fill it with formula from your main storage container. To start, take 3 or 4 droppersful** 2, 3, or 4 times a day- depending on your symptoms. Put the droppersful into a few ounces of water. Sip this slowly, or just let it sit under your tongue**
As your symptoms lessen, you can cut back on the amount of whatever Formula you are taking. Many good natural health stores have books containing herbal formulas.I love using these 'potions' as they are an effective alternative to helping improve your own health while minimizing taking synthetic drugs. When you use herbals, you will notice they don't "force" themselves on you. Taking something like Valerian Tincture to help you sleep is not like taking AmbienCR. Herbs are gentle, and ordinarily do not cause bad side effects. | ||
