Herbalism is an practice of using plants for medicinal purposes. To practice herbalism with plant-based products in garden, a person have to view those plants as containing specific chemical compound that can produce medicinal effects. Many people view plants like mint or rosemary only as garnishes for there food, but herbalism require the understanding of the chemical compounds that those plants contain.
A person can transition from gardening to herbalism by changing the way in which they view the plants in their own garden. For instance, a plant that has a lemon scent when crushed may also have medicinal properties that allow it to settle a stomach or an mind. Starting herbalism with garden plants may be difficult for some because plants in a garden does not have labels detailing the dose that should be use for medicinal purposes.
How to Make Medicine from Garden Plants
A person may find the correct plant for their needs, but they may not know whether they should utilize the leaf or the roots of the plant for medicinal purposes. Using a chart that details the physiological action of specific plants help a person to correctly match a plant to a specific bodily problem. For instance, adaptogens help to manage stress cause by the body, and anti-inflammatory plants can be used to even joint stiffness.
The part of the plant that is utilize is crucial in herbalism. For instance, volatile oils of the flower of a plant often contain medicinal compounds; however, other medicinal compounds are located within the woody rhizome of some plants. Using tea to prepare a plant that has hard root will create only flavored water because the cellular walls of the root will not break down in the preparation of tea.
Instead, decoctions use simmering water to break down the cellular walls of the root and allow for the medicinal compounds to dissolves into the water. The method of extraction of the medicinal compounds from the plant is one of the primary tool of herbalism. For instance, if the parts of the plant that contain the medicinal compounds are the delicate leaf, infusions are used.
However, if alcohol extracts the medicinal compounds, the person will prepare tinctures. These types of tinctures can retain their potency and strength for many years, while teas brewed from herbs will not remain preserved for many years. A person must decide whether they need the tea or the tincture.
Herbalism require the patience to grow medicinal herbs. Growing medicinal herbs requires an understanding of the specific need of each herb. Many beginners attempt to grow medicinal herbs like ornamental flower.
However, medicinal herbs have different requirement than ornamental flowers. For instance, lavender and thyme herbs requires sandy soil with less water than other plants. This is due to the necessity of allowing for the herbs to experience stress that will promote the production of more potent essential oils.
Timing is crucial in harvesting medicinal plants from a garden. Harvesting the herbs at the wrong time will yield herbs that lack the medicinal potency due to the compounds within the herbs. The herbs must be harvested when they are fully bloom or when their root herbs is at peak maturity.
Once harvested, the herbs must also be dried correctly to retain their medicinal strength. If herbs are dried in a humid area or in direct sunlight, the volatile oils will be evaporated from the herbs, which will also lead to the loss of the color of those herbs. Herbs that are dried in a dark and airy location will retain their medicinal strength.
Many natural plant that are used in herbalism are not harmless. These natural plants contain chemical compounds that can have various effects on the body. These compounds can interact with pharmaceutical drug and could even exacerbate certain health issue that a person may have.
For instance, a person with an autoimmune disorder must avoid herbal supplement that contain immune system stimulants. Prior to beginning any herbal regimen, it is necessary for a person to become aware of any contraindications for their body and health. By performing this step prior to beginning herbal products, the herbs will work to support the body rather than confuse it.