How do I take my herbs?
- Extracts (alcohol based): Extracts are best absorbed by the body when diluted in a bit of water. One “dropperful” equals about 25 drops (when you squeeze the rubber bulb, the dropper fills about halfway up). Dosage guidelines are included on the bottle.
- Oils: To apply herbal oils, place a quarter size drop on skin and massage in. You can leave the oil on overnight to penetrate the skin without getting oil on your clothes.
- Salves: Generously rub salve into any affected area of the skin as often as is needed. Salves are for external use only.
- Dried Herbs: To make an infusion from dried herbs, place one ounce (about a cup) of dried herb into a quart mason jar. Fill with boiling water, cap it, and let steep for at least four hours. If you like, you may add a pinch of mint for flavor. Then strain out the plant material, compost it, and enjoy one or more cups of the liquid daily. Infusions are delicious warm or cold and can be sweetened with honey. They keep for several days in the refrigerator.
- Vinegars: They are delicious in salad dressing, on cooked greens, or in any recipe calling for vinegar. Some people take a spoonful in water as a daily tonic.
How long do they stay potent?
It depends primarily on how it is extracted and the storage conditions. They are best stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
- Extracts (alcohol based) retain their potency for 3-5 years or more.
- Herbal oils last 6-12 months from when they were made. Refer to the “best used by” dates on your oils.
- Salves, which are herbal oils with beeswax melted into them (which increases their stability), generally last two years or more from when they were made. Refer to the “best used by” dates on your salves.
- Dried Herbs generally last for a year or more. After that, they begin to lose potency (they do make great fertilizer for your plants!)
- Vinegars generally retain their potency for 6-12 months.
What size should I get?
It usually depends on how you will be taking it. If you’re taking it on a daily basis as a tonic over a long period of time, you will save money by buying a larger bottle. If you plan to keep on your medicine shelf for the days you may need it for an acute issue, then a 1 oz bottle may be plenty.
How long does a bottle last if I’m taking it daily?
If you are taking 1 dropperful a day, a one ounce tincture will last 40-45 days.
If you are taking 2 dropperfuls a day, a one ounce tincture will last 20-25 days.
How would I figure dosages for children?
The suggested dosages on the labels are for an average adult, around 150 lbs. For a child the dosage is divided accordingly. For example a 30 lb child would take one fifth of an adult’s dosage. A 25-50 drop dosage would become seven drops for a 30 lb child. For babies, dosages may be as low as 1-3 drops. Extracts are best taken in water, tea or juice.
What about the alcohol in alcohol-based extracts?
If you are concerned about the alcohol you can put the extracts into a cup of warm tea; since alcohol has a lower boiling point than boiling water, alcohol is released in the steam. However, note that the amount of alcohol is minimal — a dropperful (25-30 drops) has about as much alcohol as a ripe banana!
