The main difference between an herbal prescription and a pharmaceutical prescription is that the herbs are chosen for the individual, not the illness. Herbal remedies are prescribed to be taken internally or applied to the skin. They come as tinctures, creams, compresses, poultices, infusions, decoctions, tablets, and as capsules and oils to add to the bath. Fresh herbs can also be incorporated into the diet. The following is a list of some methods of herbal treatment.
Tinctures are the most common type of internal remedy prescribed.
They are made by soaking the flowers, leaves, or roots of the chosen herbs in alcohol to extract and preserve their useful properties. Tinctures keep well, are easy to store, and are used in small amounts. 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.