Medicinal Plants Collection and Harvesting

A compress made with room temperature water and infused herbs to soothe skin irritations like eczema, acne, and sunburns.

A compress using water cooled to room temperature, used for skin irritations like eczema and sunburns.

A sweetened medicinal preparation made from alcohol-extracted ingredients and honey.

Involves making infused honey first, then combining it with various tinctures (or a single tincture) in alcohol base to taste.

A method for creating elixirs by layering herbs, honey, and alcohol in a jar, letting it infuse for several weeks.

Herbal tinctures using vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol, often preferred for children, animals, and those sensitive to alcohol.

Typically 30-60 drops (1/4-1/2 teaspoon) three times daily, taken with a little water.

A traditional method of treatment using hot water, sometimes with added herbs.

Herbal baths use herbs, oils, and other ingredients for healing and soothing.

Relieves cold/flu congestion, antiseptic, astringent.

Stimulates, cleanses, relieves insomnia (makes you sleepy).

Relieves fatigue, promotes relaxation, cleanses the skin.

Stimulating, calming, induces sleep, relieves nervous tension.

Calms the heart, relieves inflammation, tones the skin.

Eases nerves, soothes skin.

Enhances blood flow throughout the body.

Stimulates and heals the skin.

Coconut oil's ability to warm with body heat makes it appropriate for massage after a bath or whenever salves are used.

A medium-sized North American tree used traditionally for healing, especially its inner bark.

The inner bark is used in various forms (tea, lozenges, powder, poultices) for a range of ailments, including colds, sore throats, wound healing, and digestive issues.

Inner bark is dried and frequently ground into a powder for use in teas, extracts, tablets, lozenges.

Prefers moist, rich soils (lower slopes and floodplains), but can also grow in dry hillsides with limestone soils.

You can find various Slippery Elm products (tea, lozenges, capsules, etc.) at health food stores.

Slippery elm is used to treat diarrhea, coughs, acid reflux, constipation, and external skin conditions.

Slippery elm is available in various forms like capsules, tablets, tea, tincture, extracts, powder, and topical creams.

Dissolve up to 15 grams of slippery elm bark in 240 ml of water to make tea.

Mix 1.5 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of slippery elm powder with enough room temperature or cooked water or juice to create a slurry.

Take slippery elm with at least 8 oz of liquid; separate slippery elm use from other medications by at least one hour.

Ulmus rubra Muhl.

North America, from Texas to Manitoba, and from Florida to Quebec.

Collected in spring from the inner bark of the branches.

A jar filled with dried herbs and alcohol for extraction, ensuring herbs are submerged and move freely when shaken.

Finely chopped roots, barks, berries used in tinctures.

Alcohol concentration for herbal extractions, ranging from 40%-50% to 85%-95%.

Standard alcohol percentage for most herbs (80-90 proof vodka), drawing out water-soluble properties.

Alcohol percentage for high-moisture herbs (e.g., lemon balm, berries) for volatile aroma extraction.

High alcohol percentage, extracting aromatics, essential oils (e.g., gums, resins), not suitable for all herbs

Allowing the herbal tincture to steep for 6-8 weeks for optimal extraction.

Filtering the tincture to separate the liquid from the plant matter using cheesecloth or blending/straining for a more refined product.

Store in cool, dark, dry cabinets, shaking regularly to maintain alcohol level, and ensure herbs are always submerged.

Include common and scientific names of the herb, part used (e.g., leaves, roots), alcohol percentage, date, habitat/origin, and dosage instructions on the tincture labels.

Herbal remedies applied directly to the skin, treating rashes, wounds, and providing topical pain relief, often using fresh herbs.

A method for making Slippery Elm Gruel by combining Slippery Elm inner bark powder with boiling water, then adding more water to reach a desired consistency.

When someone has trouble eating or has wasting syndrome, Slippery Elm Gruel can be given in small amounts, with added sweeteners and flavors (honey, maple, cinnamon) until the desired effect is achieved.

Slippery Elm Gruel can serve as a survival food, especially useful in situations with limited or no other food sources. It can be sweetened with raw honey and maple syrup and flavored with cinnamon or ginger.

Slippery Elm Gruel can be used as a meal replacement in cases of internal tissue damage, consumed until desired results are achieved.

Slippery Elm Gruel can be used as a topical treatment for external injuries by filling holes and covering with a cloth, continued until suitable healing happens.

A method of extracting vitamins, enzymes, and aromatic oils from herbs by steeping them in hot water.

Chamomile, Holy Basil, Ginger, Nettle, Peppermint, and Skullcap are good choices for hot infusions.

A method for extracting beneficial ingredients from herbs by steeping them in cold water for a period of time, typically overnight.

Marshmallow root, Chia seed, and fresh Lemon Balm are well-suited for cold infusions due to their delicate nature or high viscosity.

A method of extracting beneficial compounds from herbs by simmering them in water.

This method is perfect for extracting compounds from hard roots, dried berries, barks, and seeds, by simmering them for longer periods.