Herbal Teas – Herbs used in tea form have the advantage of quick assimilation by a weakened, sick body. The heat from boiling water releases the power of the herbs, and there is liquid for our body already included from the tea. Herbal teas are also useful when an area needs to be coated for relief and healing.

Some herbal teas come in standard tea bags and can be made just like regular tea can. Other herbs must have boiled water poured over either freshly picked, or dried and ground herb pieces.

Herbal Capsules – Dried and ground herbs are placed into gelatin capsules, which dissolve quickly. Often capsuled herbs are concentrated for more strength, and they’re easily portable. Most of the strongest medicinal herbs are quite bitter to the taste too, so it’s easier to get them down when taking them in capsule form.

Most herbal capsules contain just one specific herb in them, but sometimes you can buy combination capsules, or you can buy the dried ground herbs and make specific combinations yourself.

Extracts and Tinctures are concentrated herbs in liquid form. Most are made with either drinking alcohol such as Everclear, or Apple Cider Vinegar. Powdered or dried herbs are added to a pint of either fluid, then aged for at least two weeks. Alcohol based tinctures and extracts brings out more of the herbs properties than vinegar does, and the alcohol can be dissipated by putting a few drops of the tincture into 1/4 cup of very warm water.

Herbal Oils is another form of getting liquid herbs, but the liquid form of these are created with olive oil instead of alcohol or vinegar. Herbal oils usually need to be kept refrigerated.

Herbal Ointments and Salves are used for topical applications. They’re made by mixing powdered herbs into natural petroleum jelly or lanolin, and can be kept indefinitely in small beauty containers or cream jars with lids.

Herbal Poultices are used for external wounds, swelling, bites, stings, inflammations and so on. They’re made by chopping, grating or blending various herbs with mineral water, olive oil, aloe vera, or other healing liquids. The mixture is then applied to a clean cloth, then laid with the herb side against the skin on the affected area. A poultice can be covered with plastic or wrapped in gauze to keep from getting cloths and bedding dirty.

A bolus is an internal herbal poultice usually used in suppository form for the rectum or vagina.

Statements made in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

Analgesic Herbs are those taken by mouth for relieving or eliminating pain. Example: White Willow.

Antibiotic Herbs are natural herbs used to fight infections. These herbs work very well to either kill or stop the growth of harmful bacteria, germs, and other organisms within your body. Example: Garlic, Goldenseal.

Anti-inflammatory herbs are used to reduce or relieve infammation. Example: White Willow.

Antiseptic Herbs are used for cleansing and sterilizing. These herbs can prevent, fight, or neutralize harmful bacteria. Example: Garlic, Thyme.

Astringent Herbs are used to shrink tissue in your body and reduce or stop discharge. Example: Black Walnut, White Oak.

Calmative Herbs are used to soothe and calm the nervous system.

Cardiac Herbs are used to make the heart stronger. Example: Myrrh, Saw Palmetto.

Cell Proliferant Herbs are those which promote fast tissue regeneration, growth, and healing. Example: Comfrey, Aloe Vera.

Digestant Herbs contain enzymes and other properties which help with food digestion. Example: Papaya, Garlic.

Diuretic Herbs are used to increase the amount of urine you pass, and reduce water retention in the body. Example: Kelp, Chaparral.

Emetic Herbs are those used to cause a person to vomit. Example: Lobelia in large doses.

Expectorant Herbs are used to force mucus to be expelled from the lungs and respiratory system.

Hemostatis Herbs are used to stop bleeding. Example: Cayenne/Capsicum.

Hepatic Herbs are used for toning, cleansing and strengthening the liver. Example: Dandelion.

Hormonal Herbs contain hormones or hormonal properties, and help the body with hormone imbalances. Example: Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle.

Laxative Herbs are usually used as mild laxatives to make your bowels move. These herbs work by stimulating bile and scretions instead of being irritants to the bowel. Example: Safflowers/Saffron, Cascara Sagrada.

Nutritive Herbs are those that promote growth and provide nourishment. Example: Slippery Elm.

Purgative herbs are used to cause the bowels to purge quickly. These are often used in combinations with other herbs to help control the severity of the purging. Do not take purgative herbs while pregnant. Example: Buckthorn.

Relaxant and Sedative herbs are used to soothe and quiet as well as helping to calm excitement, irritation or pain. Example: Saw Palmetto.

Stimulant herbs usually create energy, or help increase activities of the body and its organs. Example: Cayenne.

Tonic herbs are used to stimulate, tone and energize the body. Example: Sage.

Statements made in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.