Herb Basics
Learn about herbs and how to incorporate them into your cooking.
The Herb Companion Staff
March/April 2004
Liquid herbal extracts often are prescribed by the drop. But for a nation accustomed to teaspoons and pre-measured pills, envisioning a drop of medicine may run against the grain. And who has time to count all of those drops, anyway?
RELATED CONTENT
This recipe for poppy seed vinaigrette complements any soft fruit salad....
This light, poppy seed torte contrasts delectably with the taste of the nutty, vanilla custard fill...
These lemon glazed poppy seed muffins are quick and easy to make for breakfast, lunch or snacks....
These phyllo triangles with poppy seed filling serve as an elegant, rich dessert...
The nutty flavor of poppy seeds will take your desserts from ordinary to extraordinary....
This chart offers you a guide to your dropper. Note: While droppers can vary in size, manufacturers often mark the dropper with measurements (usually given in milliliters). Generally, though, a standard dropper holds 1 milliliter of liquid.
Add spice to your meals with a zesty herbal blend
Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar’s Fire Cider Zest is a warming, energizing concoction designed to light your fires. It can be added to salad dressings, used to flavor steamed vegetables and sprinkled on grains.
Helpful tincture tips
Liquid herbal extracts, or tinctures, are an effective and convenient way to take herbal medicines. According to herbalist and Herb Pharm co-owner Ed Smith in his book Therapeutic Herb Manual (1999), a liquid herbal extract is a concentrated liquid containing an herb’s chemical constituents dissolved in a solution of alcohol and water.
Most tinctures are sold in one-ounce bottles with droppers. To use, Smith suggests mixing the prescribed number of drops with 2 to 4 ounces of water. You also can add the drops to warm (not hot) tea or juice. For optimal results, Smith says, sip the mixed drops so you can savor the extract flavor and aroma, although you may not always like the taste.
Generally, tinctures should be taken two to five times per day. For chronic conditions (such as poor memory or varicose veins), two to three times daily is usually sufficient. However, for acute conditions (such as fevers and colds), you may need to take a tincture four to five times daily. Consult your health-care provider for more specific dosage information.
Source: Smith, Ed. Therapeutic Herb Manual. Williams, Oregon: Ed Smith, 1999.
Calm down with colorful California poppy
Common name: California poppy
Latin name: Eschscholzia californica