Medicinal Herbs-potency And Dosage.
Entry posted by Pertinax
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Lost Warrior asked a question which I have pondered on for many years-what is your prefered method of delivery for herbal medicines?. ( the basic question was infusion or oil as a preference).
Pardon me double blogging today but this needs a reasonably considered reply.
The reply is more complicated: my preferences would be:
1. Fluid Extract (strong/pure).This in truth is an infusion in concentrated form.
2.Tincture ( quite strong /stable for a long time).
3.Pure herb-but this depends on the required use ,so for example I would prefer to use Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) as a powder in conjunction with Golden Seal (as a tincture) , being the "best" combination for some stomachic problems.Otherwise the pure herb is relativley weak in comparison to 1 and 2 above, though for a wound (Yarrow) I would apply the fresh plant and take the extract.
4.encapsulated herb extract-if you dont like the taste or smell of a strong herb
5.tablets and lozenges-tend to be milder formulations.
6.oils-deceptivley easy to use but can be fearsomely strong so best avoided if you are unsure.Pure oils are excellent, Frankinscence and Wintergreen are great healing medicaments but must be used with care.l
As you can see I havent given a straight answer 
, if I was Medicus to a legion I would ensure a.a supply of freshly cut herbs( say comfrey and yarrow in particular for bruising, gashes), b.a store of dried herb and herbs macerated in wine ( wormwood and walnut for antiparasitic use as well as the two entries above and something as a cough medicine, probably a mallow) .c.acetum for wounds d.a supply of Opium and henbane for painkilling .
And a lot of wine for me, and some attractive female assistants
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