GETTING STARTED WITH HERBS

Herbal Vocabulary

HERB - Dictionary definition: small, seed-bearing plant with fleshy, rather than woody parts Herbalist definition: the full range of plants, including all botanicals (useful for flavor, fragrance, medicinal and healthful qualities)

TEA - preparation made by extracting herbal constituents with water

INFUSION - the process of making tea by pouring water over the herbs; process used primarily for flowers, leaves and stems (aerial parts of the plant)

DECOCTION - the process of making tea by putting herbs into pot and adding water and slowly heating; used primarily for roots, seeds and barks

TINCTURE/EXTRACT - alcohol preparation which extracts the chemical constituents from the herb(s); can be made with vinegar or glycerin in place of alcohol

GLYCERITE - glycerin (preferably vegetable) preparation that extracts the chemical constituents from the herb(s)

INFUSED OIL - preparation in which the chemical constituents are extracted in oil; can be done on the stove, using sunlight, or moonlight

SALVE/BALM - preparation made from infused oil and beeswax, used as both medicinal and cosmetic purposes

LINIMENT - preparation that is for external use only, which will evaporate rapidly; usually in a rubbing alcohol base

ESSENTIAL OIL - the volatile oil from a plant; often referred to as the aroma or smell

DOSAGE - amount of preparation used for medicinal purposes

DROP - dosage measurement used for tinctures and essential oils (not a standard measurement)

PART - herbalist's form of measurement for formulations; a ratio

ORGANIC - plants that have been grown on land have been checked and have been found to be free of all pesticides and other contaminants; certified practices

WILDCRAFTED - plants growing in their natural environment

WOODSGROWN - plants cultivated in their natural environment

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS?

When To Use Herbs:

• to nourish, tone and strengthen the body
• preventatively to keep body in state of wellness/ balance
• for acute conditions (under a practitioner's care, ideally)
• for chronic conditions
• to rebuild body after illness or other major stresses (i.e. surgery)
• to compliment other healing modalities either allopathic or holistic

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS

Medicinal Herbalism:

• Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman
• Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody
• The Green Pharmacy by James Duke
• The Herb Book by John Lust
• Herbal Healing For Women by Rosemary Gladstar
• Herbal Medicine Makers Handbook by James Green
• Home Herbal by Penelope Ody
• Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra

Plant Identification:

• Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown
• Herbs (Eyewitness Handbook) by Lesley Bremness
• Medicinal Plants (Peterson Field Guide) by Steven Foster & James Duke

Growing:

• Growing Herbs From Seed, Cuttings and Roots by Tom Baggio
• The Medicinal Garden by Anne McIntyre
• Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening - Herbs by Patricia Michalak

Cosmetics & Body Care:

• Herbal Body Book by Stephanie Tourles
• Natural Beauty At Home by Janice Cox