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