To use Herb Simples that have been finely ground or chopped, steep a heaped teaspoonful of the herb to each cup of hot (not boiling) water for twenty minutes. Take one cup before each meal and one on going to bed.
Roots and Barks. Roots should be simmered for over half an hour, to extract their goodness. Do not boil heavily.
Flowers and Leaves should never be boiled. Steep them in hot (not boiling) water for twenty minutes, keeping them covered so as to keep in the oil which might evaporate.
Powdered Herbs may be mixed with either hot or cold water. Use half a teaspoonful of powdered herb to a cupful of water, followed by drinking a plain glass of water. Herbs take effect quicker if taken in hot water.
Never use an Aluminum Utinsel to boil Herbs or water to be used with them as the metal damages the fine oils, etc., contained in the herbs.
To make syrups: A simple syrup can be made by dissolving three pounds of brown sugar in a pint of boiling water. Boil until thick. You may then add this to any substance. Malt honey and bees' honey can also be used as a syrup if desired. To make a herb syrup, simply add the cut herbs, boil to a syrupy consistency, strain through a double cheesecloth and bottle. If corked, this will keep indefinitely.
To make herb salves (ointments): Use fresh herbs whenever possible. However, dried herbs can be used if fresh are not available. Be sure the herb is cut up very finely and used one to one-and-a-half pounds of cocoa fat, lard, or any pure vegetable fat, and four ounces of beeswax. Mix together, cover, and place in the hot sun (or the oven with a very low heat) for about four hours. Strain with a fine sieve or cloth. When set it will be firm and ready for use. If you want to put it into containers, do so while it is still hot and let it set in the containers. Do not re-melt.
To make poultices: It is best to have th herbs in a crushed form. Mix with water and cornmeal to make a thick paste. If fresh leaves are used, place them directly on the affected part(s). Poultices are very good for swellings, enlarged glands, etc. Never re-use a poultice once used. Always replace with a fresh one.
The following poultices can be used safely:
Slippery Elm - Useful to combine with other herbs to make a good poultice.
Lobelia and Slippery Elm - One third part Lobelia and two thirds Slippery Elm. Excellent for blood poisoning, boils, etc., also very good for rheumatism.
Charcoal and Hops - Will quickly remove gallstone pain.
Charcoal and Smartweed - Good for inflammation of the bowels. When using for healing old sores and ulcers, add powdered Echinacea, Golden Seal, or Myrrh, or a small amount of all three.
Poke Root and Cornmeal - Excellent for inflamed breasts.
Burdock Leaf - This poultice is cooling and drying. A poultice of the powdered root with salt eases the pain of a wound from an animal, such as a dog bite.
Plantain - Excellent poultice to prevent blood poisoning.
Nettle and Wintergreen - For dissolving tumors.
Carrots and Golden Seal - Applied to old sores, will heal rapidly.
Sage - For inflammation of any type.
Hyssop - Will remove discoloration from bruises.
Poultices should be applied as hot as possible and be chaged as soon as the heat has dissipated. It is useless to re-use the same poultice.
Composition Powder: A composition powder is a good medicine for colds, flu, cramps, rheumatism, beginning of fevers, etc. Every home should have these on hand; they are safe and effective for everyone. In fevers and colds, give a cup of tea made from the powder every hour until perspiration take place. This will clear the body of toxins and bring the fever down. Here are a few selected formulae which are very effective:
4 oz Bayberry
2 oz Ginger
1 oz White Pine
1 dr Cloves
1 dr Cayenne
Use all powdered herbs. Steep 1 teaspoonful in water for 15 minutes, keeping covered. Drink the clear liquid after the sediment has been strained.
2 oz Pulverized Bayberry Bark
1 oz Pulverized Ginger
1/2 oz Pulverized Pinus Canadensis
1 dr Cloves
1 dr Cayenne
Dose (adult): One teaspoonful in hot or cold water, sweetened if required.
Less pungent Composition Powder(!):
1 oz finely powdered Wild Thyme
1 oz powdered Marjoram
1 oz finely powdered Pimpernella Saxifrage
1 oz finely powdered Pleurisy Root
1 oz powdered Cinnamon
Dose: One teaspoonful in the early stages of colds, disordered stomach, scarlet fever or similar troubles.