Infusions are less concentrated than tinctures and are an easy way to take herbs at home. Infusions are made by soaking an herb in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. The resulting infusion can be used as a tea, or it can be applied externally to the skin. Cold infusion involves soaking a herb in cold water for a long period, from 2 to 12 hours. It can then be either swallowed or applied to the skin.
Decoctions are similar to infusions but are made from roots, barks, nuts, and seeds.
A wash is an external application of cooled tea. A poultice is a paste made from bruised fresh herbs or dried herbs moistened with hot water. The herb paste is placed on a clean piece of cotton and placed on the affected area with a bandage. Herbal remedies can help with most disorders, but they do seem particularly effective with skin conditions such as eczema , urinary problems such as urinary tract infection , and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome . Herbal remedies cannot reverse the damage caused by serious or life-threatening diseases such as cancer , diabetes , or AIDS .