Herbal Healing For Women

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Herbal Healing For Women

by Rosemary Gladstar:

 

There are four common methods used for making oils. Each of these

methods is highly effective and is used professionally as well as for

home use. I myself prefer the methods that employ a long, slow

heating process, such as the solar, oven-extraction, or Crockpot or

roaster-oven techniques, over the double-boiler method. But there are

times when I've been thankful to be able to make a medicinal oil in

the short time made possible by the stovetop method.

 

Solar Infusion Method

 

Using the simplers' measure, place the desired amount of herbs and

oil in a glass jar. Cover tightly. Place the jar in a warm, sunny

spot. In Europe and the Mediterranean the jars are placed in

sandboxes to attract greater amounts of heat. When traveling in

Switzerland, my daughters and I were fascinated and excited to find

jars of St. John's Wort flowers steeping in oil on the porches and

balconies of many people's homes. The beautiful yellow flower of St.

John's wort turn the oil a bright red. It is truly beautiful and

amazing! Let the oil/herb mixture infuse for two weeks. People always

ask why the oil doesn't go rancid sitting out in the hot sun.

According to natural laws, it should. But for some magical reason, it

seldom does. I believe it's because of the alchemical fusion of the

sun, the herbs, and the oil. But once strained, the oil will

definitely go rancid very quickly if left in the hot sun.

 

At the end of two weeks, strain the herbs, rebottle your beautiful

herbal oil, and store it in a cool dark area. If you wish a stronger

oil, add a fresh batch of herbs to the oil, and infuse for two more

weeks. This will double the potency of your medicinal oil.

 

Using the solar method for making medicinal oils is my favorite

method. I learned it from the wise old Gypsy herbalist, Juliette de

Bairacli Levy. Though a bit more time-consuming than the other

methods, it has the added benefits of the sun, the wisdom of the

elders, and a delightful array of bottles sitting in a sunny spot in

the garden or windowsill of your home.

 

Oven Extraction Method

 

Place the oil/herb mixture in a pan with a tight-fitting lid or in

glass canning jars. Put the pan and/or jars in a larger pan with

sufficient water to cover up the bottom half of the container. Turn

the oven on the lowest temperature possible and allow the herbs and

oil to infuse for several hours. Check frequently to prevent the oil

from overheating and burning.

 

Double Boiler Method

 

Place the herbs and oil in a double boiler, cover with a tight-

fitting lid, and bring to a low simmer. Slowly heat for one-half to

one hour, checking frequently to be sure the oil is not overheating.

The lower the heat, and the longer the infusion, the better the oil.

 

This is a quick and simple method that appeals to many modern-day

herbalists. One word of caution, however: oil heats up very quickly.

Be mindful of the temperature. Your preparation can quickly go from a

nice herbal oil infusion to deep-fried comfrey leaves.

 

Crockpot and Electric Oven Roaster Method

 

Both Crockpots and electric oven roasters allow for a long, slow

cooking process. The roaster is most often used by small professional

companies making quality herbal products. The herbs can macerate in

the oil for a long period of time (two to four weeks) and the

resulting oil is of a superior quality. Electric roasters can often

be found quite inexpensively at bargain shops and second-hand stores.

They are in hot demand by herbalists!

 

Place the herbs and oil in the Crockpot or roaster and turn to the

lowest heat. Place the lid on and let the mixture steep for the

desired length of time. The heat is generally higher in the Crockpot

and usually two to four hours is sufficient to prepare good-quality

herbal oils. Check frequently to protect against overheating and

burning. In the roaster, the herb/oil mixture can steep for two to

four weeks. It gives a superior, dark-green herbal oil.

 

Source: Herbal Healing for Women: Simple Home Remedies for Women of

All Ages by Rosemary Gladsta