Herbal vinegars are merely herbs which a put into various types of vinegar preparations and allowed to steep for several weeks. Infusions are prepared by taking the flowers and leafy parts of the plant and steep them for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water in order not to destroy the benefits of the compounds. Care should be taken never to boil the compound as boiling will often destroy the effectiveness of the delicate chemicals within. Ointments can be prepared by taking any of the previously discussed preparations and mixing them with a salve which can be applied externally to the affected areas. Poultice is a preparation of soft moist herbs spread between muslin cloth or another comparable cloth and placed over the affected area of the body for typically 24 hours.
Powder is prepared by grinding up the desirable portion of the herb into a powder.
The powder can be then placed into capsules all made into tablets. Syrup is prepared by joining herbs and various types of sugar which is then boiled into syrupy compound. This form of herb extract referred to in herbology as tincture and can be kept for prolonged periods of time. Typically, the method of taking the tincture is usually under the tongue. Click here to return to nutrition listing.