Lesson 1: Main Content For Module 4 Copy

The remarkable aspect of herbs is their combination of several different healing properties.  Thus, each herb will have a combination of specific effects on particular systems of the body, and also some very general effects.  By carefully matching the herbal properties with the symptoms being treated, it is possible to confront the entire scope of the disease at once, achieving a cure quickly and with the minimum possible dosage.  Also, by referencing the herbal properties, it becomes easier to substitute one herb for another. There are many schools of herbalism around the world each promoting the use of the herbs in the region for hundreds and even thousands of years to treat illness and for health and longevity, below is just some of the ones we will focus on.

Western Herbal System – (Skullcap, Chamomile, Nettle, Dandelion, Burdock)
Amazonian Herbal System – (Chuchuhuasi, Chanca piedra, pau d’arco, cats claw, guayusa)
Chinese (Daoist tonic Herbalism)– (Reishi, Eucommia, Schizandra, Astragalus, Ginseng)
Ayurveda Herbal System (Tribulus, Turmeric, Mucuna, Ashwagandha, Bacopa)
Medicinal Mushroom (Reishi, Chaga, Shitake, Maitake, Lions main, Turkey tail)

Herbal Extractions

1) Cold infusion (Flower, Light herbs & Leaves with volatile oils)

Recipe: Put all ingredients into a jar and add cold water , leave to infuse for 20 mins.

Basil

Thyme

Lemon

Ginger

Stevia leaf

2) Warm infusion (Leaves, light roots, powders,)

Recipe: Bring water up to 80 degrees , take it off heat and add all ingredients, let it infuse for 20 mins up to 2 hours.

Nettle Leaf

Licorice root

Damiana leaf

Burdock root

Dandelion root

3) Decoctions (High heat extraction) ( Mushrooms, Roots, barks)

Recipe: Bring water up to a boil and add all ingredients, leave on a contant high heat for up to two hours.

Chaga Mushroom

Reishi mushrooms

Pau d’arco

Cats claw

Fo to Root

When you take it off heat you can also add goji berries, licorice, Ginseng, Astragulas and cacao beans.

4) Herbal paste:

Using Herbal powders, bring all powders together and add to raw chocolate paste, or add powders to make tea by just adding water or for use in baths or to add to smothies, soups or elixirs.

Recipe:

Maca powder

Ginko powder

Schinadra berry powder

Gotu Kola leaf powder

Cacao pwder

Carob powder

Sea salt

Fo ti root powder

Medicinal Mushroom Powder

5) Herbal Tincture:

Using Tinctures is a great way to make a very concentrated herbal extraction . best way to extract is with alcohol such as organic triple filtered vodka with an alcohol percentage of at least 40%. You can also use coconut oil, or apple cider vinergar for non alcohol extractions.

In tincture making , the herb been extracted is called the “mark” the solvent used to extract the herb is called the “menstruum” . a good medicinal ratio is at least a 1:4 ration of Mark:Menstruum, even better is 1:2. This means that the tincture would be 1 part Herb and 2 parts alcohol. This would be a highly concentrated medicinal tincture. To make the tincture is best to break down barks or mushrooms into slices or powders to increase the surface area and make for better extraction. Place herbs, leafs, powders or whatever your mark is into a jar, fill up to half way and fill the rest of the jar with the alcohol. This is a 1:2 ratio. Leave in a sealed jar in a dark place at room temperature for at least 2 weeks. Then strain of the herbs and pour into a dark amber or blue glass dropper bottle or similar.

All herbs, plants, barks, roots can be used to make tinctures such as:

Chaga

Reishi

Echinacea

Dandelion

Burdock

Nettle

Horsetail