Infusion
Best for: Delicate leaves & flowers (mint, chamomile, yarrow)
Pour hot water over the herb, cover, and steep 5–15 minutes. Covering keeps the volatile oils in. This is 'tea', done properly.Decoction
Best for: Dense roots, bark & seeds (dandelion, valerian, burdock)
Simmer the herb in water 10–20 minutes with a lid on. Roots need heat and time to give up their medicine.Tincture
Best for: Long-keeping concentrated extracts
Pack a jar with herb, cover with 40% vodka (or food-grade glycerin for alcohol-free), steep 4–6 weeks shaking daily, then strain. Doses are drops, not cups.Infused Oil & Salve
Best for: Skin remedies (calendula, comfrey)
Steep dried herb in oil 2–4 weeks, strain, then optionally thicken with beeswax into a salve. Always use DRIED herb — water in fresh herb spoils the oil.Poultice / Compress
Best for: Topical, on the spot (cabbage, yarrow, plantain)
Crush or bruise fresh herb (or soak a cloth in a strong infusion) and apply directly to the skin, held with a cloth.Syrup
Best for: Coughs & sore throats
Combine a strong herbal infusion or fresh aromatics with honey. Honey both preserves and soothes. Keep refrigerated.This guide reprints and modernizes traditional, public-domain herbal knowledge for educational and cultural interest. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care. Plants can interact with medications and conditions — check with a professional before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or treating a child.