Preparations For Internal Use
Infusions
These are made in the same way as a cup of tea using the soft parts of plants - the leaves,
stems and flowers. The standard dose is 1 oz (25 g) of dried herb, or 2 oz (50 g) of fresh
herb to 1 pint (600 ml) boiling water. You can vary this according to taste - it is important
to make your herb teas palatable so that you drink them regularly when you need to.
Put the herbs in warmed teapot, pour on boiling water, leave covered to infuse for ten
minutes and then strain. A cupful is generally taken three times daily for chronic conditions,
and six times daily or more in acute illness. An infusion will keep for up to two days in
a refrigerator.
Some herbs, particularly those with a high mucilage content, such as comfrey, need to be
prepared in the same way but with cold water. Most infusions are taken hot, except when
treating the urinary system, when they need to be drunk lukewarm to cold. When making
infusions you can blend several herbs together to make a tasty brew, the addition of aromatic
herbs such as mints, lemon balm, lemon verbena, fennel, lavender, and licorice to more bitter
medicinal herbs is recommended to make them more palatable, especially for children.
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