HERBAL GLOSSARY AND PREPS FROM hIGHWINDS HERBS

 Herbal Glossary

Compress: A cloth soaked in an infusion of herb or decoction, and pressed against the skin.

Decoction: A water extract of bark or roots prepared at a low boil for 10 – 20 minutes; stronger that an infusion.

 Demulcent: A substance that soothes inflamed mucous membranes.

Digestive: Improving digestion.

Diuretic: Increasing flow of urine.

Elixir: An alcohol based medication.

Essential Oil: scented plant oil used in many herbal medicines.

Expectorant: A substance that makes mucous easier to cough up.

Infusion: A drink made by steeping plants, herbs or plant extracts in hot water for 10-20 minutes making it stronger that tea.

Poultice: An herbal paste spread on a cloth and applied externally to the body.

Raw Herb: The form of the plant and parts unchanged by processing other that separation drying or grinding.

Salve: An herbal preparation mixed in oil and thickened with beeswax.

Tincture: An herb extract steeped in alcohol for several weeks available commercially and usually taken in drops.

Tonic: An agent to maintain or restore health in one organ system or the whole body.

Volatile: Odorous plant oil that evaporates readily also called essential oils.

Result of herbal remedies may not necessarily occur in all individuals. 

Consult your physician or health care provider before using supplements or a herbal remedies and before making any changes in prescribed medicine.

Herbal Preparation

Decoction: Bark and roots. Add to simmering water and continue to simmer for 10-20 min. ½ oz of herb to 1 cup of water.

Tincture: Combine the powdered Herb 1-4 oz. to 8-12 oz of alcohol (drinkable). Add water to make a 50% solution. Let stand 2-4 weeks. Strain and put in bottles suitable for storage.

Cold Extract: Preparation with cold water will effectively preserve the most volatile ingredients and extracts only minor amounts of mineral salts and bitter principles.

Powder: Grind dried plant parts with a mortar and pestle till you have a powder.

Syrup: A basic syrup you can use with medicinal ingredients. Boil 3lb. Raw Brown Sugar on a pint of water until it is nice and thick.

Extract: A concentrate made by steeping Raw Plant Material in solvent alcohol and/or water after which the solvent is allowed to evaporate.

Fluid extract: a liquid extract of raw plant concentration material usually a concentration of one part raw herb to one part solvent (1:1).

Disclaimer

All of the Ethnobotanicals available from this site are sold for research, education and propagation purposes only. None of the Ethnobotanicals sold are for human consumption. Some of the Ethnobotanicals available are poisonous.

Not all Herbals available have not been evaluated by the FDA. Research all Herbals before using. Use at your own risk.

Customers must be over 18 years of age to purchase anything from the Ethnobotanical or Smoking Herb pages.

Highwinds Farm, anyone and anything related to Highwinds Herbs and this site can not be held accountable for any of your actions or choices.

Please note we do not prescribe herbs for any ailment we can only give you the information we have researched from other sources, 

We ALWAYS refer you to do your own research before using any herbs or herbal remedies and ALWAYS consult your healthcare provider.