#poultice

APAWTHECARIA by Stout Stoat Press

Poultice: A mash of plant matter. This is simple and there are 2 ways to do this: dirty and clean. The dirty way is to chew the plant matter. An example of this is you're out hiking, you have an accident (non-life-threatening), and you're bleeding. You find some plantain near you, so you grab it. You chew the leaves until they're mush and place this over the wound. The clean way would have you grab a mortar, place the plant material in it, and mash it with the pestel, making sure to add water if it's too dry (you want it almost like a paste).

Salve: Similar to a poultice, but mixed with oil and something to set it. What you're after in the poultice is the juice that comes out of the plants more than anything, but having bits of the plant in the salve can be fine too, and salves can also be made with resin. You would mix the medicinal ingredient in with oil (you'll have to play with the ratio based on the plant and oil being used) and then melt in something like beeswax (start with a low wax to solution ratio first, add more wax if it doesn't set enough, too much wax will make the salve too hard).

Tea: Water steeped with plant material. This is a very simple one to understand. Doesn't even have to be plants even, turkey tail mushroom is a known medicinal tea ingredient (the jury is still out on its medicinal benefits, it's being looked into). The longer you steep, the more you leech (and the worse it may taste). You drink it right after steeping, it does not preserve itself.

The Favourite (2018, Yorgos Lanthimos)

TEA -- To consume. Steep herbs, flowers, or roots in hot water. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in herbal teas provide many short and long-term health benefits. Used for colds, immune system, digestive system, inflammation, anti-aging, stress, anxiety, or skin health, among other treatments.

TINCTURE  -- To consume. Herbs that have been stepped in alcohol or vinegar in process of extraction, creating a concentrated liquid form of a herb. Preserve and concentrate the properties of the herb, making them more effective and longer lasting. Fill glass jar with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger (don’t pack down.) Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. Fill the rest of the jar with vodka and stir. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. Strain and store in blue or amber dropper bottles (or clean glass jars.) Take 2-3 drops daily.

POULTICE -- Topical application. Moistened herbs formed and patted down over area where needed (like herbal band-aid). Place whole or powdered herbs in a bowl and add hot water to stick together. Apply topically and use medical gauze to hold in place. Good for: stings, bites, wounds, broken bones, infection, boils, in-grown issues, acne, or anything that needs to be drawn from the skin.

FOMENTATION -- Topical application. Strong steep infusion of herbs (typically stronger than what you would drink). Infuse, strain, and soak cloth in infusion, applying to area where needed. Useful for wrapping a body part or treating large area.

TOPICAL WASH -- Topical application. Similar to fomentations, but instead infuse herbs and strain then soak affected body part in the infusion. Direct contact allows herbs to penetrate in unique way. 

HERBAL OIL -- Topical application. Herbs are “baked” in base oil such as: olive, sweet almond, apricot, jojoba, avocado, grape seed, or hemp. Can use fresh or dried plant material and sun or Oven as heat source. Heat extracts the oil soluble healing components of the herbs to create the healing oil. Herbal oil often used to make other products such as salves, lotions, or creams but can be used on their own.

湿布を貼る時にひと工夫すると剥がれにくくなるの知ってる？ 台紙が付いている状態で、シワ防止に切れ目を入れるだけ！ 指などは縦長に切って巻きつけるのもいいですよ！ 短冊状はかなり使い勝手がいいです！ 色々試してみてね！

·       Astringents- Astringents have a binding action on mucous membranes, skin, and other tissues. It is due to chemicals calls tannins, named after their use in the tanning industry. They have the effect of precipitating protein molecules, thus reducing irritation and inflammation, creating a barrier against infection that is helpful in wounds and burns.

·       Aromatics- Having a pleasant or distinct smell.

·       Alteratives- Herbs that gradually restore proper functioning of the body, increasing health and vitality. Some alteratives support natural waste elimination via the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Others stimulate digestive function or are anti-microbial, while others just work.

·       Adaptogens- They increase resistance and resilience to stress, enabling the body to avoid reaching collapse because it can adapt to the problem. An inability to cope with external pressures leads to many health repercussions. Adaptogens appear to work through support of the adrenal glands.

·       Bitters- Herbs with a bitter taste, having a special role in preventative medicine. The taste triggers a sensory response in the central nervous system. A message goes to the gut releasing digestive hormones leading to a range of ramifications including: stimulation of appetite; a general stimulation of the flow of digestive juices; an aid to the liver’s detoxification work and an increase of bile flow and also stimulation of gut self-repair mechanisms.

·       Nervines- Nervines help the nervous system and can be meaningfully subdivided into three groups. Nervine tonics strengthen and restore the nervous system. Nervine relaxants ease anxiety and tension by soothing both body and mind. Nervine stimulants directly stimulate nerve activity.

·       Demulcents/Emollients- Herbs rich in mucilage that soothe and protect irritated or inflamed tissue. They reduce irritation down the whole length of the bowel; reduce sensitivity to potentially corrosive gastric acids; help to prevent diarrhea and reduce the muscle spasms which cause colic; ease coughing by soothing bronchial tension and relax painful spasm in the bladder.

·       Diaphoretics- They promote perspiration, helping the skin eliminate waste from the body, thus helping the body ensure a clean and harmonious inner environment. Some produce observable sweat, while others aid normal background perspiration. They often promote dilation of surface capillaries, so helping improve poor circulation. They support the work of the kidney by increasing cleansing through the skin.

·       Diuretics- Diuretics increase the production and elimination of urine. In herbal medicine, with its ancient traditions, the term is often applied to herbs that have a beneficial action on the urinary system. They help the body eliminate waste and support the whole process of inner cleansing.

·       Tonics/Trophorestorative- Tonics nurture and enliven. Truly gifts of Nature to a suffering humanity- whole plants that enliven whole human bodies, gifts of the Mother Earth to her children. To ask how they work is to ask how life works!

Infusion - A tea preparation in which plant parts and hot water are mixed for a short time

Syrup - Plant parts added to a sugar-water or honey-water mixture

Powder - Ground, dried plant parts

Tincture - Essential plant components dissolved in a water-and-alcohol solution

Ointment - Powdered or essential plant parts added to an oil substance such as olive oil or petroleum jelly