Extract from medicinal herbs. Alcohol extracts. How to prepare oil macerate

An extract is a semi-finished product obtained by concentrating a substance.

Extracts are concentrated extracts from medicinal plant materials. There are liquid extracts, thick extracts - viscous masses with a moisture content of no more than 25%, dry extracts - loose masses with a moisture content of no more than 5 %.

To obtain extracts, various methods are used: maceration (infusion), percolation (displacement), repercolation, countercurrent and circulation extraction, etc.

To extract medicinal plant materials, water, ethyl alcohol of various concentrations and other extractants are used, sometimes with the addition of acids, alkalis, glycerin, chloroform, etc.

When producing liquid extracts, one or two volume parts of the extract are obtained from one weight part of medicinal plant raw materials.

The resulting extracts are left to stand for at least 2 days at a temperature not exceeding 10° C until a clear liquid is obtained and filtered.

Extracts for thick extracts are freed from ballast substances by precipitation with alcohol, the use of adsorbents, boiling and other methods, followed by filtration.

The purified extracts are concentrated by evaporation under vacuum to the proper consistency.

Dry extracts are obtained by drying thick extracts or directly from purified extracts using methods that ensure maximum preservation of active substances - spraying, lyophilization, sublimation, etc.

Extracts containing dry substances above the standards specified in private articles are diluted.

Extracts are stored in packaging that ensures the stability of the drug for the specified shelf life, and, if necessary, in a cool, dark place.

It is allowed to prepare solutions of thick extracts in a 1:1 ratio in a solvent consisting of 6 parts water, 3

parts glycerin and 1 part alcohol. Solutions of thick extracts are used in double quantities and stored for no more than 15 days.

Oil extracts from plant materials are obtained in two ways:

Direct extraction of raw materials with oil or preliminary extraction of raw materials with an organic solvent, followed by transfer of the extracted substances into oil.

The first method is to obtain oil extracts of St. John's wort, however, due to the high viscosity of the extractant, the diffusion process during oil extraction proceeds very slowly and the active substances are not completely extracted. The process is somewhat accelerated when using heated oil.

A high yield of active substances is observed when obtaining oil extracts using the second method. Using this method, henbane oil extract is obtained by macerating henbane leaves with 70° alcohol with the addition of a 1% ammonia solution. The resulting extract is mixed with sunflower oil, then the alcohol is distilled off under vacuum. The concentrate is diluted with oil to pharmacopoeial concentration.

In addition to extracts from medicinal plants, tinctures, infusions and decoctions are obtained, the production of which is also based on the extraction process.

Tinctures They are colored liquid alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extracts from medicinal plant materials, obtained without heating or removing the extractant.

The degree of grinding of medicinal plant raw materials is indicated in private articles.

When making tinctures, 5 volume parts of the finished product are obtained from one part by weight of medicinal plant raw materials, and 10 parts from potent raw materials, unless otherwise indicated in private articles.

The resulting extracts are left to stand for at least 2 days. at a temperature not exceeding 10 ° C until a clear liquid is obtained and filtered.

Infusions and decoctions are aqueous extracts from different parts of medicinal plant materials, used for oral and external use. Various parts of medicinal plants (bark, roots and rhizomes, leaves, flowers, herbs, seeds, fruits and preparations from them) are used as starting materials for obtaining aqueous extracts.

In accordance with the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR X and XI editions, for the preparation of infusions and decoctions, plant parts are crushed: leathery leaves to particles no more than 3 mm, fruits and seeds - no more than 0.5 mm and prepared in different ways. The flowers are brewed in a porcelain bowl, poured with boiling water. The leaves are poured with boiling water and kept on fire for 3-5 minutes, or simply left for 15-20 minutes. The roots and stems are filled with water and brought to a boil over low heat and boiled for 10 minutes. All teas are infused for 15-20 minutes in enamel or porcelain containers.

The preparation of an aqueous extract from non-potent plant materials is prepared at the rate of 10 parts by weight of plant materials per 100 parts by volume of infusion or decoction.

Water infusions from adonis herb, lily of the valley herb, rhizomes with valerian roots are prepared for 1:30. Infusions and decoctions from groups of potent plant materials are prepared in a ratio of 1:400.

Syrups- concentrated aqueous solutions of sucrose, which may contain medicinal substances, fruit food extracts.

Syrups are thick, transparent liquids that have a characteristic smell and taste, depending on their composition.

Syrups are prepared by dissolving sugar by heating it in water or in plant extracts. Medicinal syrups are also obtained by adding medicinal substances (tinctures, extracts) to sugar syrup.

The resulting syrups are filtered and poured into dry sterile vessels.

If necessary, preservatives (alcohol, nipagin, nipazole, sorbic acid) or other preservatives approved for medical use are added to the syrups.

Currently widely used extraction way extraction of biologically active substances from medicinal raw materials. Previously existing extraction methods such as percolation and maceration have reached their natural limit and do not provide the opportunity to increase the speed of processing of medicinal plant raw materials and increase the yield of the target product. Therefore, a search is underway for new methods and equipment to carry out the extraction process.

Thus, the dissolution of components of plant raw materials in alcohol in a rotary apparatus operating in the mode of pulsed excitation of cavitation was studied. Using a rotary apparatus in this mode intensifies the process of extracting extractive substances from plants (preparation time is reduced by more than 2 orders of magnitude). At the same time, alcohol losses are reduced; there is no need to heat the mixture. In general, the technological scheme for obtaining alcoholic extracts from plants is simplified.

In the USA, a method has been proposed for quickly extracting valuable components from dried plant materials by extracting with water at a temperature of 40-60 C and creating ultrasonic vibrations in the mixture with a frequency in the range of 100-150 kHz. This method provides an extract with a high degree of transparency without loss of flavor and aromatic compounds and without components with an unpleasant bitter or astringent taste. At the same time, the extract is sterilized due to the action of ultrasonic waves.

To intensify the extraction process, a cavitation-rotation method is used for obtaining extracts from spicy-aromatic plant raw materials, based on the use of a cavitation generator, which makes it possible to increase the degree of dispersion of the raw material, while simultaneously carrying out accelerated extraction of dissolved substances from it. As a result, extracts were obtained that have significant biological value due to the increased content of phenolic compounds, amino acids, and minerals.

Thus, the most preferable method for processing plant raw materials is extraction.

3.1. Tinctures - These are liquid alcohol or alcohol-water extracts from medicinal plants, which are obtained without heating and removing the extractant.

To prepare tinctures, ethyl alcohol of various concentrations is used: 95, 90, 70, 60, 45, 40, 30, 20%. The concentration of the extractant is selected in such a way that it extracts the active substances as much as possible and the minimum ballast substances. The advantage of this dosage form is microbiological protection. Most mechanical impurities are insoluble in alcohol and tinctures have a longer shelf life than aqueous extracts. However, alcohol does not extract many valuable biologically active substances - pectins, mucus, inulin, etc.

Tinctures are prepared in various ways: maceration, percolation, dissolution of extracts, etc.

Maceration (infusion) is the simplest way to prepare extracts. The dried and appropriately crushed raw materials are poured into an enamel, glass or stainless steel container with the calculated amount of extractant, infused at a temperature of 10-15 ° C, stirring occasionally, for at least two days (if the infusion period is not specified). The resulting tincture is drained, the residue is thoroughly squeezed out, filtered through several layers of gauze, washed with a small amount of alcohol and squeezed out again. The pressed hoods are combined with the main one. The method of fine maceration is also used. In this case, the calculated amount of alcohol is divided into portions, pouring the drug into these portions sequentially.

Percolations - filtering, displacement of BAR by continuous filtration of the extractant through a layer of raw materials. This method is carried out in special percolator installations, equipped with devices that ensure a continuous supply of extractant and leakage of the extract. Both methods of preparing tinctures are carried out in a mass-volume ratio: the raw material is taken by mass, and the solvent by volume.

The preparation of tinctures from extracts is carried out by dissolving the required amount of extract in alcohol of the appropriate concentration.

3.2. Elixirs - This is a type of tincture, which is a combined solution of extracts with other medicinal substances (for example, breast or licorice elixir).

Storage. Tinctures are stored in a well-sealed glass container in a cool place protected from light. The precipitate falls out and is filtered before use.

3.3. Extraction preparations from fresh plants

It is necessary to wash the dust off and lightly dried medicinal plants to grind them, since the living cell is in a state of turgor, the protoplasm is tightly pressed to the cell wall and has the property of being permeated with water. In this case, substances dissolved in cell sap do not leak out. Therefore, to extract biologically active compounds, cell walls must be destroyed.

Tinctures from fresh plant materials are obtained by maceration or bismaceration. Usually, from 1 part by weight of non-potent raw materials, 5 volume parts of tincture are obtained, and from 1 part by weight of highly potent raw materials - 10 volume parts. But there may be a different ratio of raw materials and finished tincture: 1: 4.1: 2, etc.

When obtaining tinctures by maceration, the crushed raw materials are poured with ethyl alcohol (usually 90%), infused for 14 days, the infusion is separated and the raw materials are squeezed out. The tincture is left to stand for 7 days at a temperature not exceeding 8 ° C and filtered.

When using the method bismaceration the crushed raw materials are first poured with 96% ethyl alcohol and left for 7 days. The second time - 20% ethyl alcohol for 3 days. The combined extracts are settled, filtered and tinctures containing 40-50% ethyl alcohol are obtained.

For example, a liquid extract is prepared by bismaceration onions or green onions, which is called allylchep. It is used orally, 15-20 drops, for intestinal atony and atherosclerosis. To obtain the extract, onions are peeled from outer films and crushed. The mushy mass is poured with 70% ethanol in a ratio of 1.0: 1.5 and left at room temperature for 7 days. The tincture is drained. Then the raw material is suddenly macerated, for which it is filled with 60% ethyl alcohol (1: 1) and left for 24 hours. After the specified time, the tincture is added to the first one.

In folk medicine, tinctures from various plants are used. Tincture from blood red hawthorn flowers prepared in 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. Leave at room temperature for 14 days and filter. Use 15-20 drops per 30-50 ml of water 3 times a day as a cardiotonic, antispasmodic, hypotensive and sedative.

Extract from plants - aqueous, salt, acid, alkaline and other extracts from plants used in the chemical analysis of plants to diagnose their nutritional needs.

Explanatory dictionary of soil science. - M.: Science. Edited by A.A. Rode. 1975 .

See what “Plant extract” is in other dictionaries:

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elixir- A; m. [French] elixir from Arabic. al ikir the philosopher's stone] 1. An extract from plants or a strong infusion of alcohol, oils, etc., used in medicine and cosmetics. Dental e. Bottle of elixir. The smell of elixir. E. longevity. E. beauty. 2. what. ABOUT… … encyclopedic Dictionary

elixir- Arabic – iksir (dry medicine). German – Elixier (infusion, extract). English – elixir (infusion). Latin - elixir (term of alchemy). In Russian, the word has been used since the 17th century, and with a very unstable form: “elixir”, “alexir”, ... ... Semenov Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language

CURARE - CURARE- Original product. Curare (urari, vorara) is a poison used by the South Indians. America for poisoning arrows. A component of the poison is an extract of the bark of plants of the genus Strychnos, condensed by evaporation, from the family. Loganiaceae Loganiaceae. Different… … Handbook of Homeopathy

elixir- a, m. An extract from plants or a strong infusion of alcohol, oils, etc., used in medicine and cosmetics. Tooth elixir. □ If you are seriously ill, you must be seriously treated. Before eating, take some kind of bitterness: Hoffmann’s elixir... ... Small academic dictionary

Elixir- m. 1. An extract from plants or a strong infusion of alcohol, oils, etc., used in medicine and cosmetics. 2. What invigorates, gives strength, promotes good mood and condition. 3. outdated Miracle drink. Dictionary… … Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

elixir- a, m. elixir m. Arab. al iksir gr. xerion xeros dry. 1. An extract from plants or a strong infusion of alcohol, oils, etc., used in medicine and cosmetics. Tooth elixir. BAS 1. Sell strong pharmaceutical vodkas ..… … Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

elixir- A; m. (French elixir from Arabic al ikir the philosopher's stone) 1) An extract from plants or a strong infusion of alcohol, oils, etc., used in medicine and cosmetics. Tooth elixi/r. Bottle of elixir. The smell of elixir. Elixi/r longevity. Elixi/r… … Dictionary of many expressions

PAINTS- PAINTS, chemical substances that have the property of coloring other objects in their own or another color, directly or with the help of another chemical. mordant connections. The widespread use of K., presumably, is caused by the instinctive desire of a person to ... Great Medical Encyclopedia

Cosmetics.

Cosmetics- Under this name it is customary to understand substances, partly of a medical nature, partly of a purely toilette nature, used as external agents for the purpose of caring for various parts of the body. This care is caused, on the one hand, by the inherent desire of a person... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

The maceration method comes from the Latin word maceratio, from macero - soften, soak. Maceration is a method of extracting active beneficial substances from a plant (whole or separately: petals, roots, inflorescences) by infusion (extraction) in liquid. Sometimes macerates are also called infusion oils or infusions. For maceration, you can use different types of extractants: vegetable oil, water with glycerin, alcohol with water and others. Infusion may take several weeks with regular stirring.

Maceration can be performed at room temperature, with slight heating, for example, solar (“solar infusion”), as well as with constant heating (simmering). The prepared mixture is filtered to obtain a clean solution without small particles of the plant. The resulting infusion is used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes on its own (massage oil or base for aromatic mixtures) or to enrich creams, ointments, serums, lotions, etc.

Macerates are also a good alternative to some very expensive or dangerous essential oils. For example, arnica essential oil is poisonous, and during maceration only valuable substances are extracted without toxic ones.

To prepare a macerate (or infusion) take dried or raw materials. Dry plants give more predictable results because... moisture contained in the plant can cause mold in the final product. Herbs for maceration must be of good quality: pharmaceutical, collected in the forest (ecologically clean areas and away from roads) or grown in your own beds without the use of fertilizers.

In order to properly prepare plants for infusion, you need to know that flowers do not need to be chopped, leaves and grass (depending on density) need to be chopped from 3 to 7 mm, stems, bark and rhizomes - 7 mm.

How to correctly decide what we will infuse our plant with and what part of it we will use for this (petals, rhizome, etc.)?

First, we need to study what active component we want to obtain, because each extractant can extract (dissolve) only certain substances from the raw material. For example, rhizomes, bark and plants with thick skin are better infused in heated oil, but flower petals should not be heated at all (the essential oils contained in them, as a rule, evaporate).

Oil maceration

Active substances that can be extracted with this type of maceration: Aromatic compounds (for example, linalool), 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, resinous substances, carotenoids (provitamin A), tocopherols (vitamin E) and others.

Plants

Flowers: orange, rose, rose hip, ylang-ylang, jasmine, mock orange, St. John's wort, calendula, immortelle (sandy tsmin), cornflower, violet, linden, etc.

Herbs: parsley, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, horsetail, chamomile, oregano, yarrow, bergenia, birch (buds, leaves, bark), white and green tea, lingonberry, verbena, oak (bark), nettle, mate, coltsfoot, lemon balm, peppermint, pine (buds), hops, echinacea, laurel, vanilla (pods), etc.

Rhizomes: calamus, angelica, carrots, ginger, rosea radiola, peony, valerian, horseradish, white cinquefoil, celery, etc.

In order to obtain a high-quality infusion, you need unrefined And refined vegetable oils cold pressed without additives. A prerequisite is the stability of the oils(resistance to sunlight and heat), because unstable ones can quickly go rancid and will shorten the storage time of the macerate. You also need to pay attention to the smell of the oil, as some oils can drown out the smell of your plant.

Good fit:

How to prepare oil macerate

I. Classic method

To 1 part of the prepared herb, add 5 or 10 parts of oil. Infuse with daily periodic stirring at room temperature for 7 days. The plants need to be thoroughly squeezed and the infusion drained. Pour the compressed grass with the missing amount of clean oil and squeeze again. Combine both oils. After 4-8 days, the macerate is filtered and bottled for storage.

II. Fractional maceration (remaceration)

This method is based on dividing the oil or raw materials and oil into parts. The total amount of oil is divided into 3-4 parts, after which the raw material is sequentially infused with the first part of the oil, then with the second, third and fourth, each time draining the extract. The extracts are combined and bottled for storage. The infusion time depends on the properties of the plant (up to 7 days). This type of maceration makes it possible to quickly obtain a more concentrated infusion.

III. Hot simmering of herbs or extraction with heating, “solar” maceration

Slightly heated raw materials (can be done in the oven) are poured with warmed oil (40-50 degrees). The mixture is mixed and placed in a water bath (on a radiator, in the sun, covered with a black cloth or a thick paper bag). The mixture is heated for 3 hours, stirring or shaking every 20 minutes. Then it cools completely, then warms up again for 3 hours. For complete extraction of active substances - periods from 3 to 10 days. The herb is squeezed out, filtered, and the finished infusion is bottled. Some sources recommend performing “solar” maceration, infusing raw materials under direct sunlight, which is not entirely correct, because essential oils (the most valuable asset) evaporate in the light.

IV. Maceration of fresh petals (home method)

The oil is heated to 30-50 degrees. Place a cloth soaked in warm oil (gauze or linen) on the bottom of a glass jar. Flower petals 2-3 mm thick are scattered on it. The petals with the fabric are filled with oil until a “mirror” is formed (so that the petals are completely covered with oil). This is how 3-4 layers are laid out. The jar is closed and placed in a dark place for 1 week. The fabric with the petals is placed in a colander or sieve to drain the oil, then wrung out. The oil is filtered, mixed and poured into a bottle for storage.

Storage rules

1. The finished strained oil extract must be poured into a dark-colored jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.

2. Make a label with the date of manufacture, base oil and plant name.

3. Store the infusion only in the refrigerator and away from light.

4. Shelf life will depend on the oil used and how stable it is. To extend shelf life, vitamin E can be added to the oil extract.

Water-glycerin maceration

Saponins, furocoumarins, vitamins C, K, P, PP, tannins, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, organic acids, salts, sugars, mucus, etc.

Plants: Cucumber, black currant, hibiscus, licorice root, nettle, peony root, kelp, fucus, marshmallow, grape leaves, green and white tea, butcher's broom, horse chestnut, clover, leuzea (maral root), dandelion, ivy, plantain, centella , smooth hernia and many others.

The water must be clean and free of salts and impurities. At home, you can use the thermal method (distillation) and the freezing method for desalting. Be sure to use glycerin of plant origin from a trusted manufacturer to avoid harmful substances. Water-glycerin macerates can use varying percentages of glycerin from 10 to 70%. If the glycerol content is above 50%, then adding a preservative is not necessary. But a 50% water-glycerin infusion should be added to preparations from 5 to 10% to avoid the opposite effect (dryness instead of moisturizing) and stickiness on the skin. The percentage of macerate input will vary depending on the product you want to prepare (creams and emulsions - a smaller percentage, wash-off emulsions - a higher percentage).

How to prepare water-glycerin macerate

The crushed plant is mixed with a water-glycerin solution (1 part of the plant and up to 5 parts of water with glycerin). Some plants swell a lot and will require more liquid than others. The plant is stirred every day and infused for 24 hours to 1-2 weeks away from light and heat.

Storage rules

1. Pour the finished strained water-glycerin infusion into a dark-colored bottle or vial with a tight-fitting lid.

3. Water-glycerol extracts are sensitive to bacterial contamination, so it is very important to maintain sterility at all stages. The infusion must be prepared before use so as not to store or necessarily add a preservative. Without preservatives, shelf life up to 3 weeks.

4. Store the extract in the refrigerator.

Alcoholic and hydroalcoholic maceration

Tinctures (tinctures)- these are liquid alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extracts from plant materials, which are obtained without heating or removing the solvent. Tinctures can be simple, obtained from one plant, or complex, a mixture of several plants. To obtain tinctures, dried plant material is often used, and in some cases fresh raw materials are used. Extraction cannot be carried out with pure alcohol, because it can extract undesirable substances and only partially dissolve the necessary ones.

For some reason, it is believed that alcohol tinctures are good to use only for oily and combination skin, but this is not so. The alcohol can be partially or completely evaporated to obtain a concentrated mixture or dry extract. For ease of use, the thick extract or powder can be dissolved in another liquid medium (water or glycerin).

Active substances that can be extracted with this type of maceration: Carotenoids (provitamin A), tocopherols (vitamin E), aromatic compounds, phytosterols, flavonoids, tannins, dyes, alkaloids and many others.

Plants: All kinds of plants that dissolve oil and water. Alcohol dissolves them better, and a more diverse range of necessary substances is extracted.

How to prepare a hydroalcoholic tincture

For 1 part of the crushed plant, take such an amount of liquid to make 5 parts of the finished tincture. A jar or bottle is filled with fresh crushed raw materials, filled with 40-75% alcohol (alcohol + water) or vodka, tightly closed with a lid and infused. As a rule, fresh plants are infused for 3-5 days, dry ones - 8-15 days. The tincture is drained, squeezed out and filtered. Regardless of the color of the plant, the tincture should remain transparent.

Storage rules

1. Pour the finished strained infusion into a dark-colored bottle or vial with a tight-fitting lid.

2. Make a label with the date of production and the name of the plant.

3. Store the extract in the refrigerator (up to several years). Monitor the formation of sediment. This means that insoluble biologically active substances have been formed. In industry, the tincture is filtered and re-standardized. We cannot do this at home and consider the extract unsuitable for use.

There are many ways to obtain extracts from plant materials, but most of them cannot be used at home. We tried to introduce you to the easiest ones to perform.

References:

1. State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR. Issue 2. Author M.D. Mashkovsky, E.A. Babayan, A.N. Oboimakova, V.M. Bulaev and others.

2. Electronic textbook. National Pharmaceutical University, Department of Factory Drug Technology. City of Kharkov.

3. A.A. Margolina, E.I. Hernandez. New cosmetology. Volume 1.

4. Blog of the site aroma-zone

Already in ancient times, humanity learned to use medicinal and aromatic substances contained in plants for medicinal purposes. For this purpose, extracts were made from plants.

Ornamental medicinal herbs: mullein, pink stockrose, chamomile, calendula, mantle, lavender, sedum, gravilate, hyssop, yarrow.

Herbal oil

You can easily prepare well-known herbal oils, such as peppermint, St. John's wort, lavender, dill, thyme, rosemary and lemon balm. Essential oils dissolve in fatty oils such as olive, sunflower or almond to create a medicinal extract.

For 1 liter of vegetable oil (olive is best), add a handful of herbs. The resulting mixture is exposed to the sun for 2-3 weeks and regularly shaken vigorously. At this time, the desired active substances of the herbs are transferred into the oil. Ripened St. John's wort oil turns dark red because the flowers contain the coloring agent hypericin.

The finished oil is filtered through a hair sieve to remove the grass and poured into decorative dishes. If you add fresh flowers to the finished oil again, the concentration of active substances and the healing properties of the oil will increase.

Herbal oils from arnica, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, mullein, lemon balm and mint are commonly used for rubbing and massage. They are also added to baths and used for cosmetic purposes. for skin care(oils from calendula, St. John's wort, marshmallow, carob clover and rosemary).

For therapeutic mouth rinse They use oils from sage, mint, lemon balm and calendula. Such oils are good for gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.

Herbal alcohol

Herbal alcohols and liqueurs, homemade bitters, used for heaviness in the stomach, are among the well-proven and therefore favorite recipes of traditional medicine. After a heavy meal, for indigestion and in many other cases, herbal alcohols demonstrate exceptional effectiveness.

Wide-necked bottles are filled with herbs (a large handful of herbs per 1 liter) and topped with pure alcohol or vodka (minimum 30%). The sealed bottle is placed in a sunny place for 2-3 weeks to mature. It is advisable to shake the contents of the bottle frequently. Finally, the contents are filtered and the finished alcohol is poured into a dry bottle. Herbal alcohol can be made sweet or bitter. In both cases it will keep well. When making herbal liqueur, it is preferable to dissolve sugar in boiling water. You can also use maple syrup.

To prepare herbal alcohol, use a mixture of lemon balm, lovage, all types of mint, gentian roots, St. John's wort, thorn fruits, arnica, rosemary, thyme, as well as caraway, hyssop and wormwood (in small quantities).

Medicinal and spicy wines

To prepare homemade herbal wines, use impeccable white, red or other sweet wines. For 1 liter of wine, add a handful (about 30-40 g) of the selected herb. The herb is placed in a bottle, closed and placed in a dark place at room temperature. After a sufficiently long period of time, the wine is filtered and consumed. Medicinal and spicy wines are preserved with proper filtration from several months when using dry red and white wines as a base and up to several years when using sweet wines.

To make spiced wines yourself, use fragrant woodruff (in small quantities), rosemary, basil, lemon balm, wormwood (in small quantities) and hyssop (in limited quantities), all types of mint, sage, lavender, chamomile, etc.

Fresh herbal juices

The most famous juice is nettle juice. In the spring, it is recommended to drink a course of juices from well cress, verbena, beremen and a wide variety of herbs, for example, shepherd's purse, jasmine, snapdragon. The purified plant mass should be as fresh as possible. It is also possible to temporarily freeze juices in ice cube trays. Vegetable juices are heavily diluted with mineral water, milk or yogurt before consumption. Juices squeezed from herbs are used only fresh.

Tinctures, herbal extracts

To prepare tinctures, fresh and dry (powdered or crushed) starting material is used. The herbs are placed in a bottle and filled with wine alcohol, closed and left for 10-14 days. It is recommended to shake the bottle regularly. The tincture is then filtered and bottled. A few drops of tincture are added during treatment or as preventive measures to cold or hot herbal teas, but more often they are used for external use as compresses, for foot baths and hand baths. In this case, the tincture is added to the water.

Herbal ointments, balms and creams

Medicinal ointments are prepared from emollient semi-fat or fatty substances. Both fresh and dried plants are used for their production.

Ointments and creams can also be prepared from herbal oils and tinctures. Fatty substances, such as lanolin, almond oil or lard, are used as a base, which are heated and filtered. Thickening of the ointment is achieved by using beeswax. The ointment will be stored longer if, after filling the jars with ointment, you pour paraffin on top of them. Self-prepared medicinal ointments, balms and creams can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Herbal and vegetable compresses

Herbs such as plantain, marjoram, thyme, garlic, as well as onions, carrots, potatoes or cabbage leaves are kneaded, laid out on a clean scarf and used to treat sprains or bruises. Never put compresses on open wounds!

Herbal Bath Supplements

An aromatic herbal bath is one of the most enjoyable uses of medicinal herbs. You can use one type of herb to achieve a specific result, or 100 g of a mixture of different dry herbs to prepare an infusion (for one bath). Herbs can also be used in the following ways. Wrap the herb in gauze or other cotton material and tie it to form a bag, which is then tied under a running stream of water or placed directly into a bathtub filled with water. Place 50-100 g of dried herbs in a linen bag and lower it into the bath under running water. This way the grass will release all its healing properties and aroma, and plant particles will not get into the water.

Herbal baths:

• Melissa helps you relax and relieve tension, and helps normalize sleep.
• Rosemary has a tonic effect, strengthens strength, charges with vigor and energy.
• Oregano and thyme help with colds and relieve muscle pain that occurs during the disease.
• Valerian for insomnia and neuroses.
• Chamomile for skin diseases and hemorrhoids.
• Lavender for neurosis and as a sedative, as well as for low blood pressure.
• Melissa for neuroses and neurotic heart diseases.
• Rosemary for low blood pressure.
• Thyme for respiratory diseases.
• Yarrow, all varieties of mint, and golden lemon balm are often used.

Section "HERBS" - publication of the book "Greens and Herbs" from the series "Timiryazev Academy Advises", publishing house EKSMO-Press and Lik-Press, 2001.