WHATS IN A HERB?
Herbs generally refers to the leafy green or flowering parts of a plant (either fresh or dried),
Any other element of the plant would be considered a spice—including dried bark, the roots, a berry, seeds, twigs, or other plant matter.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT HERBS?
They have a lot of different forms, looks, smells, and tastes,
but the one thing they have in common is their ability to serve at least one and most often more than one purpose.
Because of their diversity and also because of the mystery, a lot of people are a little bit afraid of herbs.
WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A HERB?
Herb, parts of various plants cultivated for their aromatic, pungent, or otherwise desirable substances.
Spices and herbs consist of rhizomes, bulbs, barks, flower buds, stigmas, fruits, seeds, and leaves.
They are commonly divided into the categories of spices, spice seeds, and herbs.
WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A PLANT?
planta tota – the whole flowering plant including roots
herba – the flowering herb excluding the roots
fol – the leaves of the plant, picked usually before the flowers appear
flos – the flowers of the plant
fol et flos – the leaves and the flowers without stems and branches
summitates – the young leafy shoots of plants
rhizome – the underground parts of the stem of a plant, rhizome
tuber – the tuberous parts of plant roots
radix – the roots of plants, usually harvested in late autumn and winter
cortex – the bark of trees
cortex radices – the bark of the roots of the plant
bulbus – the bulbous part of plants
fruct – the whole fruit of the plant including the seed
semen – the seed of the plant
spores – the spores of mosses
resina – the dried resinous juice of plants
WHAT IS THE OLDEST KNOWN HERB?
As one of the oldest tree species, gingko is also one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Chinese medicine.
The leaves are used to create capsules, tablets, and extracts, and when dried, can be consumed as a tea
ARE HERBAL REMEDIES GOOD FOR YOU?
Herbal medicines are those with active ingredients made from plant parts, such as leaves, roots or flowers.
But being “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe for you to take.
Just like conventional medicines, herbal medicines will have an effect on the body,
and can be potentially harmful if not used correctly
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HERBAL MEDICINE?
- More affordable than conventional medicine.
- Easier to obtain than prescription medicine.
- Stabilizes hormones and metabolism.
- Natural healing.
- Strength in immune system.
- Fewer side effects.
- Natures Remedy
HOW DO HERBS WORK IN YOUR BODY?
Herbs strengthen and support the natural systems in the body to help the body’s own healing process to occur,
supporting the effect of pharmaceuticals.
However, some herbs should not be combined with pharmaceuticals.
For example, if you are taking blood thinners, you would not want to take an herb that thins the blood
POWER OF HERBS
Herbs are known for boosting the immune system and their antioxidant properties— or ability to protect cells from damage.
They also may help prevent inflammation, heart disease, strokes, and cancer.
Polyphenols may also reduce the risk of infection, diabetes and asthma
CAN PLANTS HEAL A WOUND?
People have been healing with plants for generations and you’ll find more than one list of plants that heal wounds.
Three herbs often cited as wound healing plants are yarrow, goldenrod, and calendula.
The ancient Greeks may have been the first to consider yarrow a medicine.
WHAT IS STRONGER: DRIED HERBS OR FRESH HERBS?
Dried herbs offer a stronger flavor,
so use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs when replacing fresh herbs in a recipe.
HERBAL EXTRACTIONS.
Extraction of medicinal plants is a process of separating active plant materials or secondary metabolites,
such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, steroids, and glycosides from inert or inactive material using an appropriate solvent and standard extraction procedure.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HERBAL EXTRACTS?
Herbal extracts are primarily added to the cosmetic formulations due to several associated properties,
such as antioxidant, anti inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
Even today, people in rural and urban areas depend upon herbs for traditional cosmetics
HERBAL PREPERATION-MACERATION.
Maceration is a method of making extractions.
It’s the process of soaking the herb or plant matter in the menstruum, or solvent, for a period of time that varies based on the ingredients.
Maceration allows a menstruum to soak up an herb’s constituents.
WHAT IS MACERATION IN HERBAL MEDICINE?
This is an extraction procedure in which coarsely powdered drug material, either leaves or stem bark or root bark, is placed inside a container (or glass vacuum);
the menstruum is poured on top (solvent usually a combination of alcohol and purified H2O )until completely covered the drug material.
The container is then closed and kept for at least 4 days or longer pending on the herb. Before it is strained
TRADITIONAL HERBAL TONICS
In herbal medicine, a herbal tonic is used to help restore, tone and invigorate systems in the body or to promote general health and well-being.
A herbal tonic is a solution or preparation made from a specially selected assortment of plants known as herbs
APDOC TONICS, are known in the industry for its formulation blends of herbs
WHAT ARE HERBAL TONICS USED FOR?
People use many herbal tonics to support overall health, wellness, and vitality.
These are often daily supplements that support whole-body maintenance.
People use other herbal tonics to address specific medical concerns or target certain systems in the body, such as the immune or nervous systems.
And many other ailments
TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINES
Herbal medicines constitute the main component of traditional medicine, which have been used since thousands of years.
They have made significant contribution to human health through their health promotive, curative and rehabilitative properties and in the prevention of illnesses.
Many herbal remedies used traditionally have become modern medicines through drug development.
Digoxin, morphine, colchicine, and artemisinin are some notable examples.
Long tradition of use of many herbal remedies and experiences passed on from generation to generation has brought about reliance by the people on herbal remedies.
At present, the use of medicinal plants for health benefits is increasing worldwide.
There are common ailments which can be readily treated with simple herbal remedies.
They can be prepared easily and used within the ambit of primary health care.
WHAT IS A HERBAL TINCTURE?
Tinctures are highly concentrated herbal extracts that are swallowed or absorbed under the tongue. made by soaking the bark, berries, leaves (dried or fresh), or roots from one or more plants in a solvent, for a required period of time pending on the plant ingredient. The solvent (alcohol/ or water or other) pulls out the active ingredients in the plant parts, concentrating them as a liquid.
HOW TO REMOVE ALCOHOL IN A TINCTURE
Herbal Tinctures are herb extracts suspended in an alcohol base.
If you have some concerns about alcohol consumption, please follow these instructions:
Before each dose:
- Boil some water
- Measure tincture dose into a glass
- Pour 1/4 cup of boiling water into a glass with tincture
- Allow tincture and water mixture to cool, and take dosage as usual.
HERBAL EXTRACTS AND TINCTURES
Thousands of years ago our ancestors originally created herbal extracts by batching plant material with water.
Although the techniques have evolved over time, liquid herbal extracts have found an almost permanent place to call home within our cupboards.
Among the advantages of herbal extracts are their ability to preserve the active constituents, ease of use and their long shelf life.
From here we can effortlessly and conveniently add herbal extracts to our water, tea, juice, or they can be taken directly.
This is a great way to administer the healing power of plants to our families.
If you live a time-pressured lifestyle and are unable to find leisure to make your own preparations, then liquid herbal extracts are the most practical products for you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXTRACTS AND TINCTURES
The difference between extracts and tinctures is the amount of herb infused in the solvent.
An extract is considered 1 part herb to 1 part of solvent.
A tincture is considered 1 part herbs to 3 parts solvent. Our ratios at APDOC depend on the herb ingredient used. Infusions are necessary with some herbs due to their delicate nature.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF HERBAL EXTRACTS
- Single Herbal Extract Tinctures manufactured from just one herb. These are commonly used as a supplement to your daily diet.
- Combination Herbal Extract Tinctures manufactured with a combination of herbs specifically formulated to assist with particular ailments.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR HERBAL TINCTURES TO WORK
Because tinctures are usually used sublingually, they are absorbed more rapidly than capsules, tablets etc. Tinctures can transmit their active components to the bloodstream quickly through the lining of the mouth, and the effects come on in 15-30 minutes
DO TINCTURES NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED
Herbal tinctures have a shelf-life of several years, as long as they are made and stored correctly. They don’t need to be refrigerated.
ARE TINCTURES BETTER THAN DRY HERBS
Tinctures have a much longer shelf-life than dried or fresh herbs.
This property makes it the ideal way of preserving the chemical and medicinal properties of fresh and dried herbs.
The potency of tinctures when properly prepared can last five years or more.
HOW DO I TAKE A TINCTURE AND WHAT QUANTITY DO I TAKE.
The herbal tinctures differ from herb to herb, follow the instructions on each bottle of tincture.
WARNINGS ON HERBAL EXTRACTS AND TINCTURES
Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines – always be sure to check with your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare practitioner. Always follow the supplement instructions and do not exceed the recommended dosage.