| Herbs are medicinal plants that have | | | | be served hot or cold and sweetened with |
| been used for healing over centuries in | | | | molasses, honey or brown sugar. |
| civilizations around the world. Almost | | | | Decoctions are parts of the plant such |
| every culture has a distinct tradition | | | | as roots or barks that are thick and |
| of healing with medicinal plants. At one | | | | impenetrable and cannot be maximized by |
| point, when science was relatively new, | | | | simple boiling. These parts are made |
| humans relied solely on herbs for curing | | | | effective by cutting them into bits and |
| illness. | | | | boiling them in water for hours at a |
| Herbs and medicinal plants continue to | | | | time. |
| be lifesavers to millions of people who | | | | Aromatic plants are partly composed of |
| do not have access to good health care. | | | | essential oil complexes that can be |
| Additionally, herbal poultices can be | | | | extracted and used as oils in |
| used on injuries of the bone, joints and | | | | aromatherapy and massages. These oily |
| muscles, while herbal teas can be used | | | | substances are found in the glands that |
| as sleep inducing tonics or invigorating | | | | are located in the flowers, leaves, |
| drinks. | | | | roots, bark and resins of the herb |
| Infusion is a straightforward way of | | | | plant. |
| extracting the active principle of herbs | | | | Some examples of herbs that are used |
| by boiling them in water. Infusions are | | | | regularly as part of home remedies are |
| prepared much the same way that we | | | | rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, hibiscus, |
| prepare tea. This technique is used to | | | | tea tree, cinnamon, fennel, garlic, |
| extract the unstable components of the | | | | ginger, mint, ylang-ylang, ginko, |
| dried green leaves. Infusions are made | | | | chamomile, etc. The list is endless, as |
| with a single herb or in combination of | | | | are the benefits. |
| herbs. Once prepared, the herbal tea can | | | | |