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KNOWING HOW TO MAKE HERBAL FORMULAS ! KNOWING WHICH PART OF AN HERB HOLDS THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES ARE KEY TO MAKING EFFECTIVE HERBAL FORMULAS. (DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of illness or disease. IT IS IN NO WAY INTENDED TO BE A GUIDE TO MEDICAL PRACTICE, or a recommendation that herbs be used for medicinal purposes or used to replace the services of a health care provider.) HERBAL FORMULARY . . . how do I construct a formula? The choice of which herbs to include in a particular formula is determined by a number of factors, including the nature of the illness and presenting symptoms, as well as the patient's age, weight, and the chronicity of the disease, to name a few indicators. Even the nature of each herb will vary how it is used in different formulas, depending on the accompanying properties it is being matched with, the the specific nature of the condition begin treated, along with the properties of other herbs in the same formula.
 For instance: red clover is used to treat cancer because of its effects on protein assimilation; echinacea is used ot neutralize acid conditions in the blood associated with a stagnation of lymphatic fluids; sarsaparilla may be used when diruetic propertie are needed, as with infections; cascara sagrada is used when a laxative is required, as with toxic conditions resulting from constipation; dandelion root combines hepatic tonic properties and diuretic properties, and is particulary useful for treating chronic problems of blood toxicity. But when any of these herbs are put in a formula with five, six or seven other herbs - their healing properties might then be directed into a different direction, nudged by the strength of the other herbs present in the formula. ROOTS and Barks: because roots and barks are the hardest part of an herb plant, needs to be boiled aggressively to release its chemical constituents to affect your healing. LEAVES and FLOWERS: because they are more delicate, softer and more yin, flowers and leaves should never be boiled, but stepped. Steeped means the flowers and leaves should be put in a pot and the boiling water poured over them, covered, removed from the flame and allowed to sit ('steep') for 15-20 minutes. TEAS: What goes into making a Tea? Do I combine roots with flowers. Do I mix everything together in one pot at the same time? Do I combine equal parts of everything? These are critical questions that need to be addressed when determining which ingredients you select to make a tea.
There are a variety of utensils available to infuse Tea. Identifying the texture of the Tea's ingredients will determine the proper tea infuser to use, as well as the proper method of infusion. |
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