The different ways to prepare herbs are part of a tradition that extracts the healing properties according to the parts used, i.e.-blossoms, leaves, berries, bark or roots. The softer and more fragile the plant part, the less heat is used for extraction. The harder the part (bark, root, berry), the more heat is needed. Some herbs are only viable for extraction in alcohol or saliva, such as Osha root. And some herbs release their properties in tepid water, such as Senna pods.

 

Are made into infusions by pouring pure water just off the boil onto the dry or fresh herbs and allowing the mixture to steep for 15 to 30 minutes before drinking. This infusion can be added to a horse's bran mash, mixed into a dog's dry food or strained for tea for a human.

 

The tougher parts of herbs are actually boiled into a decoction. The herb is placed into a pot of pure water, covered, brought to a boil and simmered for 15 to 30 minutes. Then the mixture is left covered to cool before use.

 

Are made by infusing a vegetable oil (olive, walnut, sesame or safflower) with the herbs. You can use a double boiler to heat the oil with herbs added for an hour or so, simmering the water - not the oil, or place the herbs in oil in a bottle in a very warm place for 2 weeks. Use the oil after straining or create ointment by adding beeswax (one fourth part wax to three fourth parts oil) to the strained oil and slowly melting it before pouring into jars to set.