Frequently asked questions

Glycerites (glycerin tinctures/extracts) are syrupy liquids that are an alcohol-free alternative to the more popular alcohol tincture. Glycerin has a sweet taste. Children prefer it to an alcohol or vinegar tincture. Mix your glycerin with alcohol tinctures to reduce the sweetness. Honey can also be used instead of glycerine. As with all remedies, the instructions for making glycerite vary from book to book. Here’s our recipe. Fill a jar one-third to one-half full of herbs (half full makes the infusion stronger). Add just enough hot water to wet the herbs and fill the jar with glycerine to about 1 cm from the top. After sealing the jar, place it in a slow cooker with a small towel underneath to prevent the jar from breaking. Fill the slow cooker with water to the top of the jar (without touching the lid) and leave it on the lowest setting for 3 days. Keep the glycerin hot but not boiling, and add water if necessary. After about 3 days, carefully strain the hot, sticky herb mixture through a cheesecloth into a glass container. Squeeze the herbs a little and pour a small amount of boiling water over them, then discard. Seal and label the glycerite tincture. If your slow cooker is too hot on the lowest setting, the herbs will smell burnt and become dark and very smelly within 24 hours. This will not ruin the glycerite, but it does speed up the process and may not be as effective as slow heating. In this case, strain the mixture after about 42 hours and it should be fine. You can also bathe the herb/glycerin mixture in water by placing the closed jar in hot water in the cooker for 3 days. The idea is to break down the herbs so that their properties are released into the glycerine. You have succeeded when the mixture turns dark and gives off a strong smell.

Poultices, also called plasters, can easily be made by pouring a small amount of boiling water over herbs and steeping them for a few minutes to release their healing properties. Strain the warm herbs, fold them in gauze or thin cloth and place them on the affected area. Powdered herbs do not need to be steeped. Simply make the powder into a paste with hot water and apply in a cloth.

Ointments and salves are an excellent way to promote healthy and vibrant skin. 1. Fill a glass jar with one third of the herbs and cover it with coconut oil or the oil of your choice. Screw on the lid and place the jar on a tea towel in a slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with water (but not above the lid of the jar) and set it to warm for three days. 2. Check the water level daily to ensure that water has not evaporated, and refill as necessary. NEVER pour cold water over a hot glass jar. 3. After three days, strain the herbs from the oil (while it is still hot). 4. Melt half a cup of beeswax (about 2 oz of grated beeswax to 8-9 oz of infused oil) in a saucepan over low heat and add the oil. Remove from heat and stir until completely melted. Add one drop of vitamin E oil or grapeseed oil for every ounce (28.35 gr) of oil. This is a natural preservative. 5. Pour into tins and leave overnight or place carefully in the fridge to cool and harden. Advice : • If it is too soft for you, warm it up and add a little more beeswax. If it is too hard, reheat it and add a little more oil. • The ointment is a thick oil that is traditionally used for cuts, bites, burns, rashes, massages, etc. Ointments can be stored for up to five years or more. • Keep them away from light and extreme heat.

Teas (infusions and/or decoctions) have the advantage of being well assimilated as hot water releases more of the active elements of the plant. And of course, most teas taste good. We like to add spearmint and sweeten with raw honey - it's delicious! Herbs are offered whole, chopped or powdered. Whole means the herbs have been picked, dried and packed as carefully as possible to retain their original state (although some crumbling is inevitable). Most herbs are offered in cut form for ease of use and packaging. Whole and cut herbs are the best forms for storage and are excellent for teas. Some herbs are ground into powder for use in specific applications, such as filling capsules, seasoning foods, adding to salves, etc. Powdered herbs are not usually used for making teas, as it is very difficult to filter the powder from the liquid. Incorporating a nutrient rich tea into your daily routine is what we call smart! Every morning we prepare a blend of herbs to get a tea that suits our nutritional needs and you can do the same. To promote good eyesight, add blueberry leaves to your tea blend. If you need a wake-up call, use cinnamon, cloves and/or ginger, as in our Rise and Shine tea. Remember to avoid using herbs with sedative properties in the morning, as this is counterproductive! Teas can be prepared by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herbs. Cover and let the tea steep for about 5 minutes (roots and bark take longer). Teas can be served hot or cold, and brewed in different ways: • Electric Percolator: This is our preferred method. Sometimes we brew the herbs twice, using a little less water the second time. A stovetop percolator is also effective. Stovetop Pot: Place the herbs and water in a covered pot on the stovetop and bring to a boil. Turn off the burner and remove from the heat. After a few minutes of brewing, strain and serve. • Stovetop strainer pot: Another variation of the stovetop method is to place a metal strainer in the teapot before adding the herbs to the water. When the tea has finished brewing, simply lift the strainer and the tea is ready to be served. • Teapot: Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the herbs in a teapot. After brewing, place a small strainer over each cup when serving.

Tinctures are concentrated, liquid forms of herbal medicines that are simple to make and easy to take. They are so concentrated that we sometimes take them in tea or water. They are usually prepared with consumable alcohol, but can also be made with vinegar, vegetable glycerine, honey, etc. Alcoholic tinctures (also called extracts) are the most popular because alcohol is the most effective in extracting important properties from plants. Tinctures made with this alcohol have a long shelf life (2 years or more). To make your tincture, fill a jar 1/3 to 1/2 with the herbs. Use 1/3 for hard herbs and roots (as they will absorb more liquid) and 1/2 for soft or fluffy herbs. Fill the jar to the top with alcohol (preferably 80-90 proof vodka), seal it and store it for 3-8 weeks in a cool, dry place. Shake the jar daily. After 3 to 8 weeks, strain and discard the herbs, bottle the liquid and label it. Pregnant women or children can easily evaporate the alcohol by placing their dose in a warm liquid like tea or water before taking it. Tinctures can also be prepared using vinegar instead of alcohol, following the same instructions. Vinegar does not extract the properties of the herb as well as alcohol. However, it is very cheap and can even be used as a gargle. It is advisable to rinse the mouth after each dose to prevent the vinegar from damaging the enamel. Tinctures are best stored in a cool, dry place out of the sun. A cupboard will do!

The shelf life varies from one herb to another. A powdered herb loses its properties much more quickly than a whole or cut herb. Herbs that contain volatile oils, such as peppermint, will lose their freshness much more quickly than those that do not. Roots have the longest shelf life as they are much denser than flowers or leaves. We suggest storing seeds, berries and powders in the freezer if not used within 6-12 months of purchase. Most books on herbs have something to say on the subject, but they are not very specific. You will gain insight into this area as you become more familiar with each herb. In general, store herbs in airtight containers, keep them as fresh as possible and do not expose them to light unless you are using them.