Herbal medicine uses remedies made from plants to alleviate the symptoms of illness and treat the causes of disease. It is the oldest form of medicine known to man and has been used effectively for thousands of years. Even today plants are the major source of medicine for most of the world’s population.

Qualified herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as doctors, but takes account of the needs of the individual patient by using a holistic approach, treating the body as a whole and not a collection of isolated parts or systems. Treatment aims to correct the underlying causes of ill health as well as alleviating the symptoms.

Tinctures

Tinctures are made by placing herbs in a mixture of water and alcohol for a period of time. Alcohol is used because it is more effective at extracting most active constituents of herbs and for its preserving qualities. Tinctures are the most popular means of administering herbs in the UK.

Creams

Extracts of herbs may be mixed into creams and applied to the skin. Creams are moisturising and are absorbed into the skin taking the herbal constituents with them.

Teas or infusions

Teas are probably the simplest and most common way of using herbs as medicines. They are prepared by pouring one 600 ml of boiling water over either a small handful fresh or 1 heaped teaspoon (or 25g) of dried herbs and leaving to infuse for 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink. Tea can be allowed to cool and stored in a stoppered bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It is best to cover the tea while it is infusing.

Decoctions

A decoction is made when the plant part required is hard and woody, for example roots, rhizomes, wood and bark. They are made in the same way as an infusion but need more heating to extract the active constituents. To prepare a decoction place one teaspoonful of dried herb or three teaspoonfuls of fresh herb in the equivalent of a cupful of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink.

Syrups

Here a sugar solution is used to extract the herbal constituents. This can be useful in disguising a particularly unpleasant taste and has traditionally been used to make cough mixtures for children. Marshmallow and wild cherry syrups are popular for the treatment of coughs, throat and chest problems.

Fresh juices

Herbs can be pressed to extract the fresh juice which can then be used as a medicine. These are used for herbs which may lose valuable constituents during the drying process. Once opened the juice must be used within a few days.