Herbal Preparation types
Below is a list of herbal preparation types, or different ways in which herbs can be applied or used depending upon the need or preferred method.
Teas (infusions)
Hot or cold water is poured over herbs and left to steep. Usually leaves and flowers are used.
Wines & Beers
Herbs are brewed into alcohol-containing beverages.
Decoction
Herb parts, usually roots or bark, are simmered or boiled for an extended period.
Vinegars
Plant properties are extracted with vinegar.
Tinctures/Glycerites
Herbal chemicals or elements are extracted using alcohol and/or glycerol.
Herbal Honeys
Herbal tinctures or steeping herbs in honeys.
Oxymeals
Mixing herbal honeys and vinegar together. Mostly used for cold/flu treatmeants. Can be used for other various reasons.
Infused Oils
Cooking or external oils are infused with herbs or herbal-based products.
Fomentation or Compress
Infused or decocted herbs are soaked in a fabric bandage and applied externally.
Electuraries/Herbal Sweets
Herbal powders and honey or glycerin is mixed and made into a paste. Helps to soothe the digestive tract the body. Herbs are made into a sweet. Good for taking bitter tonics.
Ointments and Salves
Herbal infused ointments and salves are made to be used on the skin. They can be made with various herbs and cocoa butter, beeswax, lanolin, shea butter.
Embrocations or Liniments
Herbs are infused in a mixture of oil and alcohol, or either and are used externally.
Syrups
Herbs are boiled with sugar and water, or premade honey.
Butters and Ghees
Herbs are infused into butter or ghee and can be used in food or drinks. They might also be used on the skin.
Baths/Skin Wash
Herbs are made by infusion or decoction, or another form, are super concentrated, and can be added to full body baths, hand or feet baths, or genital area steams.
Pastilles/Lozengers
Dried plant powder combined with sugar and a binding base that soothes ailments of a greater period of time