Firesilk's Book of Shadows

An Herbal Grimoire

Supplies that are useful for preparing herbal medicines:

pan with cover (non-metallic~ enamel, pyrex or glass)
strainercheesecloth
mortar and pestle ~ porcelain or white ceramic
measuring spoons and cupswooden spoons
ingredients (see table below)vehicles (see table below)

Ingredients
Herb Effect
AniseCarminative, pectoral
BalmCarminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, toothache, sore throats
BasilInsect bites
BetonyAstringent, nervine, headache
Boneset (potentially dangerous)Stimulant, febrifuge, laxative
Borage (potentially dangerous)Inflammation, fever of cold
Burnet, LesserStyptic, cordial
CarawayCarminative, stimulant, toothache anesthetic
Chamomile (potentially dangerous)Antispasmodic, tranquilizer, tonic, diaphoretic, externally for joint pain
ColtsfootPectoral, headache, giddiness, poultice
ComfeyDemulcent, astringent, cell proliferant
CorianderCarminative, stimulant
DillCarminative, soporific for infants
Elder (potentially dangerous)Insect repellant, cosmetics, headaches
ElecampineAntispetic, astringent, diuretic, tonic, expectorant
FennelPectoral, diuretic, carminative
FumitoryDiuretic, weak tonic, eruptive diseases, visceral obstruction
HorehoundPectoral
HyssopPectoral, purgative, carminative, bruises/burns
LavenderAcne, headache preventative
LovageColic/flatulence, to remove freckles
MarjoramCarminative, toothache
MarshmallowDemulcent, emollient
Mugwort (poisonous and/or hallucinogenic)Stimulant, nervine, to ease sore muscles
Nettle (potentially dangerous)Rubefacient, anti-asthma, hair tonic
ParsleyNerves, GI troubles, poisonous bug bites
Pennyroyal (potentially dangerous)Cramps, colds, gout, carminative, emmenagogue, itching skin, insect repellant
PeppermintGas pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, antibacterial
Plantain (potentially dangerous)Headache, gout, arthritis, mild skin conditions, diuretic
Rosemary (potentially dangerous)Astringent, tonic, cordial, stimulant, moth repellant
SageFebrifuge, colds, weak stomach, nerves, headache, itchy skin, sore throat
SpearmintCarminative, nausea/vomiting/colic
Summer SavoryAromatic, carminative
Tansy (potentially dangerous)Emmenagogue, tonic, toothache, cosmetic wash, hysteria, eruptive skin problems
TarragonSoporific, breath sweetener
ThymeGermicide, counterirritant, carminative, tonic, colic
Vervain (potentially dangerous)Astringent, antispasmodic, tranquillizer, headache, rheumatism
Wormwood (poisonous and/or hallucinogenic) Tonic, moth repellant, antiseptic, febrifuge, nervine, joint swellings
Yarrow (potentially dangerous)Poultice for wounds and boils, headache, flatulence, women's problems, tonic, astringent, toothache, stimulant, rheumatism
This list of herbs taken from A Modern Herbal by M. Grieve

Definitions
Analgesic: an agent that allays pain without causing loss of consciousness
Anesthetic: an agent that produces loss of sensation without loss of vital function
Antiemetic: an agent that relieves nausea and vomiting
Antipyretic: an agent that reduces or prevents fever
Antispasmodic: an agent used to ease or prevent muscle spasms
Astringent: 1. a skin cleansing cosmetic 2. a substance that causes contraction of tissues, checking the discharge of mucous and fluids from the body
Bactericide: an agent that destroys bacteria
Carminative: an agent used to relieve colic, griping or flatulence, or to expel gas from the intestine
Cordial: an invigorating and stimulating medicine, drink, or food
Counterirritant: an agent used to produce suoerficial inflamation of the skin in order to relieve deeper inflammation
Demulcent: a medicinal liquid of a bland nature taken internally to soothe inflamed mucous surfaces and to protect them from irritation
Depressant: an agent that reduces exaggerated functional activity of the tissues
Diaphoretic: a substance that increases perspiration
Diuretic:an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine
Emollient:a substance of a bland nature used externally to soothe and protect
Emmenagogue: an agent that stimulates menstrual flow
Expectorant: a substance used to expel mucous from the respiratory tract
Febrifuge: a substance that reduces fever
Hypnotic: a drug or other agent that produces or tends to produce sleep without disrupting sleep without disrupting alertness and receptiveness to others
Nervine:a substance which soothes nervous excitement
Pectoral: an agent used to treat diseases of the respiratory tract
Purgative: a substance that causes vigorous evacuation of the bowels
Rubefacient: a substance used externally that causes redness of the skin
Sedative: an agent that tends to calm, tranquillize, allay nervousness or irritation
Soporific: an agent that produces sleep
Stimulant: an agent that temporarily quickens the functional activity of tissues
Tonic:1. a drug or medicine that improves body tone by stimulating tissue nutrition 2. a substance that invigorates, restores, or stimulates the system
Vulnerary:an agent to promote the healing of wounds; curative
these definitions were taken from Herbs and Things by Jean Rose pp.27-34

Vehicles
GlycerinHoney
LanolinBeeswax
Vaseline (white petrolatum)oil (vegetable)
alcohol~ if to be ingested (eaten) use vodka or white wine
alcohol~ if to be used externally, use rubbing alcohol

Types of Preparations
Cerate: Follow directions for ointments. After straining, add 1/2 - 1 ounce melted beeswax to strained oil to solidify it. Beat until cold.
Cream: Melt 1.5 ounces solidifier and/or solid fat together in the top of a double boiler. Add 3-4 ounces skin oil at a time, stirring continuously. Turn off heat; slowly add 1 ounce herb water, stirring until cooled. Add 5 drops essential oil and stir in completely.
Decoction: Boil 1 ounce herb in 20 ounces water in a closed enamel pot for 20+ minutes. Strain and use. Primarily used for seeds, roots, bark, and the like.
Elixer: Make a tincture. Strain. Add 4 more ounces water.
Essence: Add 1 part essential oil to 9 parts alcohol. Shake well.
Fomentation: Dip cloth in warm decoction or infusion. Wring out and apply.
Infusion: Boil 20 ounces water. Pour over 1/2 to 1 ounce herb; steep 10-20 minutes. Strain and use.
Lotion: Melt 1 ounce solidifier/solid fat in top of double boiler. Add 3 ounces oil and 2 ounces herb water alternately, stirring continuously. Remove from heat. Add 5 drops essential oil. Pour into opaque bottle, shake continuously until cool.
Plaster: Bruise herb. Wet slightly with boiling water. Place between two pieces of cloth and apply to affected area.
Poultice: Bruise herb. Pour just enough boiling water over herb to set it. Apply herb to affected area. Cover with cloth wrung out in hot water. Replace cloth as it cools.
Ointment: To 4 parts fat, add 1 part powdered herb and 1 part dry white wine. Stir and heat gently 20 minutes. Cool slightly and strain.
Syrup: Boil 1 ounce herb in 20 ounces water in closed enamel pot for 20 minutes. Strain. Add 1 ounce glycerin. Bottle cap tightly.
Tea: Boil 10 ounces water. Remove from heat. Add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon herb. Cover pot; let steep 5-15 minutes. Strain and use.
Tincture: Add 1-4 ounces powdered herb to 8 ounces alcohol (use the alcohol appropriate to the tincture's intended use, rubbing alcohol is poisonous if taken internally, to avoid even the remote possibility of using a wrong tincture I always use vodka, even for external preparations). and 4 ounces water. Let steep 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain.

Back to the table of contentsback to the Main page

This page last modified 2/15/99