Materia Medica Lesson 2-8: Tincturing Fresh Plants

 This is a repeat from Constitutional.

Herbs that SHOULD be prepared fresh

*ACONITUM COLUMBIANUM (Aconite, Western Monkshood) FLOWERING HERB. Fresh Herb Tincture, 1:4, topical in moderation, internal Materia Medica Lesson 2 - page 6 1-5 drops to 4X a day.

ALLIUM SATIVUM (Garlic) BULB. Fresh Juice, 1/4 to 1 teaspoon. Fresh Tincture [1:2] 15-40 drops.

*AMYGDALIS PERSICA (Peach Tree) FRESH TWIGS. Cold Infusion, 1-2 oz. Tincture [1:2], 30-90 drops, both ad lib.

ANAGALLIS (Scarlet Pimpernel) HERB. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2] 5-15 drops.

*ANEMONE HIRSUTISSIMA (Pulsatilla ludoviciana, Pasque Flower) FRESH PLANT. Tincture [1:2] 3-10 drops, to 4X a day.

*ANEMONE TUBEROSA (Desert Anemone, Desert Pasque Flower) Same as previous.

ARISAEMA (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) CORM. Tincture [Fresh Corm, slightly wilted, 1:2, 50% alcohol] 2-10 drops.

*ARNICA (A. montana, A. cordifolia, A. latiflora, etc.) WHOLE PLANT. Fresh plant, flower or root tincture [1:2], dry flowers or herb tincture, [1:5, 50% alcohol] and dry root tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol]. EXTERNAL is diluted with one or two parts of water, applied as needed. INTERNAL use 3-10 drops.

AVENA (A. sativa, A. fatua, Oats, Wild Oats.) UNRIPE FRESH SEED, w/"Milky" center. Fresh Tincture [1:2], 10-20 drops, to 4X a day.

*BRYONIA (Bryony) ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, recent Dry Root, 1:5, 50% alcohol], 2-10 drops to 3X a day.

*CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS (Shepherd's Purse) WHOLE PLANT. Tincture (Fresh Plant, 1:2, recent Dry Plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 20-60 drops.

CENTELLA ASIATICA (Hydrocotyle asiatica, Gotu Kola, Brahmi) HERB. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2], 15-30 drops to 3X a day. Standard Infusion, 1-2 ounces. Dry Herb Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 20-40 drops, to 4X a day.

CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS (Selenicereus, Peniocereus, Night-Blooming Cereus) FRESH STEMS. Fresh Tincture [1:2], 5-15 drops (Selenicereus spp.) ; 10-25 drops, (Peniocereus greggii). Either one to 4X a day.

CHELIDONIUM (Greater Celandine) WHOLE PLANT. Fresh Plant Tincture, [1:2] 10-25 drops. Alone, for short term use; safe for extended use as a low dose formula constituent.

CHOROGALUM (Amole Lily) FRESH BULB. Grate 2-4 tablespoons in cheesecloth, rub into a froth in a cup, of water, and wash or shampoo.

COLLINSONIA (Stone Root, Horse Balm) ROOT and HERB. Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2] 20-40 drops to 3X a day. Tincture [Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 45-60 drops to 4X a day (inferior).

CORALLORHIZA (Coral Root, Crawley) ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90 drops in hot water. Cold Infusion 3-6 ounces, reheated. Materia Medica Lesson 2 - page 7

EPIPACTIS GIGANTEA (Stream Orchid, "Helleborine") WHOLE PLANT. Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90 drops. An equivalent to the far rarer Cypripedium.

*FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS (Ocotillo) FRESH BARK. Tincture, [1:2] 10-30 drops, to 4X a day.

*GELSEMIUM (Yellow Jasmine) ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root 1:2, Dry Root, 1:10, 65% alcohol] 2-10 drops.

GUAIACUM ANGUSTIFOLIA (Porlieri, Guayacan) BARK AND WOOD. Fresh Tincture [1:2] 10-25 drops in water, frequently. As a gargle, one part tincture in four parts hot water.

HERACLEUM (Cow Parsnip, Yerba del Oso) ROOT. Fresh Root Tincture [1:2] applied topically as nerve irritant/stimulant. SEED. Fresh Seed Tincture [1:2] applied topically to teeth/gums as anesthetic and antimicrobial

HYPERICUM (St. Johns Wort) FLOWERING TOPS. Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2] 20-30 drops to 3X a day. The dry plant is far less active, but a Standard Infusion can be taken, 3-6 ounces. W/C

IMPATIENS (Jewel Weed, Touch-Me-Not) FRESH PLANT. Fresh juice for topical use, Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2], both as needed.

LOBELIA CARDINALIS (Cardinal Flower) WHOLE PLANT. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2], 10-40 drops up to 5X a day.

LOBELIA INFLATA (Lobelia, Indian Tobacco) FLOWERING PLANT. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:4] 5-20 drops up to 4X a day. Dry Plant Tincture (inferior) is best as an Acetum Tincture [Dry Herb 1:5 in vinegar] 10-20 drops, or used for local application. SEED. Tincture [1:5, 65% alcohol), 3-10 drops. The dry herb as tea is especially nauseating, the fresh herb or seed very little.

*LOPHOPHORA (Peyote, Mescal Buttons) FRESH PLANT. Tincture [1:2], 20-40 drops to 4X a day. ILLEGAL TO POSSESS AT PRESENT.

LYCOPUS (Bugleweed, Water Horehound) HERB. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2] 15-40 drops, to 3X a day. Standard Infusion of recent plant, 2-3 ounces, also to 3X a day.

*PHYTOLACCA (Poke) ROOT and BERRIES. Fresh Tincture, (Root or Berries), [1:2], 2-10 drops. Dry Root Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 5-15 drops.

SCUTELLARIA (Skullcap) HERB. Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2, Recent Dry Plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 20-60 drops. Standard Infusion of recent herb, 2-6 ounces, all to 3X a day.

STELLARIA MEDIA (Chickweed) HERB. Fresh plant juice or bruised whole plant as a poultice. Tincture [Fresh Herb, 1:2, Recent Dry Herb 1:5, 50% alcohol] as needed. Materia Medica

TRILLIUM (Beth Root) WHOLE PLANT. Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2] 15-25 drops to 3X a day.

*USTILAGO (Corn Smut) FUNGUS. Fresh Fungus Tincture [1:5] 10-40 drops to 3X a day. 

Herbs that should NOT be prepared fresh

ALETRIS FARINOSA (Star Grass. "True"(properly "False") Unicorn Root)

*APOCYNUM CANNABINUM (Dogbane, Canada Hemp)

ARGEMONE (Prickly Poppy, Cardo Santo)

*ASCLEPIAS ASPERULA (Inmortal, Antelope Horns, Spider Milkweed)

*ASCLEPIAS CORNUTA (Common Milkweed)

*ASCLEPIAS INCARNATA (Swamp Milkweed)

*ASCLEPIAS SUBULATA (Desert Milkweed)

*CAULOPHYLLUM (Blue Cohosh)

CHAMAELIRIUM (Helonias, Unicorn Root )

*IRIS VERSICOLOR, I. MISSOURIENSIS (Blue Flag)

*PODOPHYLLUM. (American Mandrake) URTICA (Nettles)

*VERATRUM (Green, False or American Hellebore)

(*) - Not for internal use in pregnancy

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/