Here are some questions and answers on what herbalism is:
1. What is an infusion? What are the steps to making one? An infusion is when you place the dried or fresh herb (about 1 tbs dried, or 2 tbs.fresh), in oil or water to extract all their medicinal properties from them. The steps to making an oil infusion are 1. Placing the herb in a clean jar, then filling the jar with oil and letting it steep either by placing it in the sun or crock-pot. 2. Steep for two weeks in the sun or 4 hours in the crock-pot. A water infusion is placing the herb in water, allowing it to steep a minimum of 20 minutes to overnight.
2. What is a decoction? What are the steps to making one?
A decoction is used for more the tenacious plant matter, such as, barks, roots, or nuts. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes in oil or water. Best used as tea. Will keep for 1-2 days.
3. What is a tea? What are the steps to making one?
A tea is the use of water and herbs to make an infusion. Teas are used for, not only enjoyment, but medicinal purposes as well. The steps to making teas are: 1. Boiling water. 2. Using 1 tbs. dried herb or 2 tbs. fresh herb per cup. Pour the boiling water over the herb and let steep for at least 20 minutes. Drink daily.
4. What is an extract? What are the steps to making one?
An extract is a stronger preparation of a way to take an herb. They are stronger than infusion or decoctions. The steps to making on are 1. Place your herb in a glass jar then add about 3 fingers of alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) to dried herb, or 2 fingers for fresh herb. 2. Allow the closed jar to sit in the sun light or moonlight for a few days. 3. Bring inside and allow to sit for about 4 months then strain.
5. What is an inhalation? What are the different types in inhalations?
An inhalation is the use of steam to administer the herbs or essential oils. The different types of inhalations are shower inhalation, kerchief inhalation, vaporizer, or stovetop.
6. Five methods of application.
Electuary: a method to administer ground herbs as a paste, made with either peanut butter, honey, or some other similar ingredient. Combine the peanut butter or honey with the ground herb until a stiff pill shaped is formed and administer.
Poultice: Similar to a compress, except that the plant parts are used as opposed to the liquid extraction. Mash up fresh plant parts. Heat in a pot of boiling water. Apply pulp directly to the skin wound. Hold in place with gauze bandage. If using dried herb, first make a paste with powdered herb and boiling water. Apply as above.
Salve: A salve is an external application made from beeswax and oil. Infuse your herb and oil. Use about 1 ½ oz. of beeswax to one pint of infused oil. Heat and mix until melted. Pour.
Inhalation: An inhalation is the administration of herbs via shower, kerchief, vaporizer, or stovetop. Use herbs or essential oils. Good for colds, allergies, or sinus problems.
Tinctures: A tincture is a concentrated form of an herb. It is a diluted extract made from grain alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin
7. Who was Linnaeus? Why was he so important?
Linnaeus began the current method of taxonomy, otherwise known as systematics. He was important because he arranged and defined organisms and into groups and sub-groups until they were defined within their own species. Thus, keeping the classification systems in sync with other scientists in a universal system.
8. How does one ethically wildcraft?
Don’t pick protected plants. Don’t pick more than 10% of the plant strand. Pick only what you are only going to use. Give back to the earth.
9. When does one harvest roots and why?
Roots should be harvested in the fall. The nutrients are in the root. In the spring the nutrients are in the plant.
10. When does one harvest leaves and why?
Harvest in clear dry weather in the morning after the dew and before the high heat. They have the most volatile oils at this time.
11. What root do you prepare as an infusion?
Valerian
12. How do you store herbs?
Store in sterile, airtight, dark glass containers.
13. What is wood called?
Wood is a secondary fibrous material found in plants, which consists of xylem tissue.
14. What is photosynthesis?
The process that plants convert energy from the sunlight into fuel releasing oxygen.
15. What is pollen?
Pollen is the male element of a plant that carries the DNA of a plant. It is a dust like fine powder.
16. What is pollination and what are the ways it occurs?
The process of transferring the pollen from its place of production to the place where the egg cell is produced. The ways it can occur is through the use of wind,water,insects,birds, bats or other means.
19. What is a flower?
The reproductive part of a plant which is composed of petals, sepals, stamens, and a pistil.
20. What is an herb?
A plant used for medicinal and culinary purposes. The parts often used are leaves, roots, and berries.
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