Methods for using your herbs!

This page has been included as we at A Ha Su feel there is a great power in getting involved in our own health.  By taking responsibility we become more turned in to our bodies, beginning to understand what is affecting us in both positive and negative ways and starting to notice the patterns in our health.

 How to Make an Infusion:

 Well this is all very simple; you just pore on the hot water and let the herbs steep for a few minuets.  However when taking herbs for medicinal purposes, its best to make the infusion in a teapot with a lid or to at least cover the cup.

How to make your own herbal tinctures:

What you need:

 200g dried herb (300g fresh herb.)

1 Liter of 80 – 100 proof Rum or Vodka.

Wide mouth glass jars with lids. (Mason jars)

Unbleached cheesecloth or muslin.

Labels, marker

(Sterilize everything your using first either with sterilizing tablets or by heating in the oven)

Step one:

Grind the dried herb a little if necessary.  It’s best when the herb is quite powdery, you can place it in a blender to do this.

 OR

Finely chop the fresh herb.

 Step .2.

Place the herbs into the jar, and pore in the liquid. As a general rule the liquid should cover the herbs and come 2 inches or the top.

Step.3.

Screw on the lids tightly and place in a dark place for at least 2 weeks, SHAKE DAILY.

 Step .4.

Strain the mixture through the cloth and squeeze out all of the liquid.
Store the tincture in glass bottles, preferable dark glass.

 Extra notes for tinctures:

 -Use Rum for bitter herbs, as it will help to cover the taste.

-A standard dose is 1 teaspoon 1 – 3 times daily, diluted in water, juice etc.

 -When stored in tightly sealed containers in a cool dark place tinctures will last for 2 years.

-Distilled water, vinegar or glycerol can be used for nonalcoholic tinctures

 -Tradition say's to start the tincture on new moon and let the mixture sit for the 2 weeks up to the full moon as this adds extra drawing power.