Different Methods to Administer Herbal Remedies

If you are one of many people who has chosen to pursue an herbal remedy for an ailment over traditional medicine, there are a number of means of administering the herb depending on what you are treating with what herb. For example, if you are treating a cut or bruise an external application such as an ointment will be best where treatments for bad coughs normally do better with an inhalation method.

Smoking Vaporizers

A smoking vaporizer or aroma vaporizer releases a mist or stem to help stimulate your body with the scent as well as the cleaner ingestion of the herb you are using to treat the ailment. The herb is heated by the vaporizer to the point that its oils will turn into vapor that is then inhaled. It will then travel from your lungs directly to your bloodstream resulting in a faster reaction to the treatment. If you were to ingest the herb, there would be a delay in effect until your body has started to break down the herb in your digestive system. Vaporizers are also considered a "cleaner" means over traditional smoking of an herb and minimize the potential for ingesting toxins into your body.

Herbal Infusion

Herbal infusion refers to the brewing of an herb in a tea. When you pursue this method to ingest your herbal remedy, normally dry or fresh herbs are used for the remedy. Generally, the tea can be made by mixing the herb mix in your teapot with boiling water and then starining the mixture before you drink the tea. Normally, the infusion method should not be done with root or bark herbs unless you are going to grind them to a powder. Some herbal remedies are ineffective using this method if their oils will break down or burn off during the process of making the tea.

Creating an Herb Syrup

If you just don't like the smell or taste of the herbal infusion that you have created, you can choose to add honey, sugar, or other sweeteners to your herbal mix to enhance the taste. Some remedies such as those for sore throats or coughs will require for these types of ingredients to be added to the mix as well.

Herbal Ointments and Creams

An herbal ointment is created when oil or another fatty substance is mixed with the desired herbal mix to create a topical ointment. Sometimes petroleum jelly is used for the purpose of creating the ointment. Normally these require a long time to prepare and can be easier to purchase than to create on your own. An herbal cream is simply an herbal ointment that has more water blended into the material. The cream will blend better with your skin and feel cool or soothing.