Choosing a Botanical Medicine - Botanical Medicines

Choosing a Botanical Medicine

Encapsulated     Many botanical medicines are finely ground into powder and enclosed in capsules. These capsules can be easier to use and are probably the best form for people who need to know the precise dosage. However, they can be less potent than whole dried herbs because once they are powdered, their components are exposed to air and degrade faster.

Fomentation     Fomentation is an external application of herbs, generally used to treat swelling, pain, colds, and flu. Fomentations are usually prepared by soaking a towel or cloth in the desired botanical tea and then applying the towel (as hot as possible) over the affected area.

Fresh Plants     The fresh plant may be an ideal form of botanical medicine, although people should first consult with an herbalist to identify the right species and to understand all the chemical properties of an herb or plant. The potency and toxicity of each plant species varies according to what part of the plant is used–the leaves, roots, or flowers–and what combination of chemical compounds it contains.

Infusion     Infusion was once the most common way of preparing herbs. A teaspoon of leaves, blossoms, or flowers is boiled in water and steeped for three to five minutes. Honey is often added as a sweetener.

Plaster     A plaster is similar to a poultice, except that the herbal materials are placed between two pieces of cloth and applied to the affected surface. This is a desirable alternative when the skin is irritated, as plasters help prevent the herb from coming in direct contact with the skin.

Poultice     A poultice is usually used to reduce swelling by applying a warm paste of powdered herbs directly to the skin.

Solid Extracts     Some botanical medicines are available in solid extract forms that are made by first preparing a tea or tincture and then evaporating it until a gummy residue remains. The residue is mixed with other substances and sold as capsules. This is the most expensive of all botanical medicine forms, as well as the most reliable and potent.

Teas     Many botanical medicines are now available as teas–either as single plants or in combinations of several plants. Teas lose some of the properties of whole plants because any constituents that are not soluble in water are lost. Heating also evaporates some of the plant's medicinal components.

Tincture     A tincture is an extract of a plant in a solution of water and alcohol that is easy to use and can retain its potency for several years or more. The disadvantage is its alcohol content which, taken in high doses, can present a risk for alcoholics or anyone with a liver or digestive disease.