Page 36 - Lost Book Remedies
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The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Encapsulating Powdered Herbs
If you go to the health food store to buy herbs, you’ll Capsule Filling Machines
often find them offered in powdered form, encapsu-
lated. This is a convenient way to store and use herbs, For a slightly more efficient operation, you can buy a
especially if you are using them with people who are simple capsule-filling machine. These are available in
unaccustomed to taking herbal remedies. 50 or 100 capsule sizes and must be bought to match
the size capsules you are using. The machine consists
There are two ways of encapsulating your herbs, but to of several plates, which have holes to hold the capsule
start you need to turn the herbs into powder. This is halves and a base.
most easily done by grinding them in a food processor
or electric coffee mill. If you want to go for a more tra- Separate the capsules, putting the two parts into sepa-
ditional method or are trying to encapsulate them dur- rate bowls. The thinner, longer part goes into the base
ing a time when there is no electrical power, use a mor- plate on the machine. There is a funnel-like device
used to fill this plate. Simply place the funnel over the
tar and pestle.
base plate and pour a quantity of the capsule halves
If you are going to make any sort of herbal mix, you’ll onto it. Shake the machine, until the capsule halves fall
need a scale to measure out your various herbs. Be sure into the holes in the plate, ready to be filled. The same
to mix the powdered herbs well, so that your capsules basic operation is done with the top plate.
all have the same herbal concentration.
The part of the capsules that is in the bottom plate is
Capsules come in three sizes; “0,” “00” and “000.” the part being filled. Pour a quan-
They can be filled by hand or with tity of the powdered herbs
the aid of a simple filling ma- onto this plate and move it
chine. around with the supplied
The least expensive scraper, allowing it to fill the
method is to fill them by capsules. Once filled, remove any
hand. To start, put the extra powder by scraping it off.
powder in an oversized bowl. To close the now-filled capsules, place
Open the capsules individually by the top plate over the bottom one. The
hand, and scoop up the powder in both machine will have aligning pins to
sides of the capsule, trying to get them reasonably ensure that the two halves of the
full. Then push the sides of the capsule together. The capsules are aligned. Then push down on the plates,
powder will compress as the capsule slides closed. several times, seating the capsules. Remove your fin-
This is a very boring and time-consuming operation, ished capsules and put them in a jar for storage.
although effective. You might want some company or
some assistance while doing this task.
Herbal Water Infusions: Cold and Hot Methods
Tea and coffee are both infusions; usually hot infu- The typical means of hot infusing herbs is to make a tea
sions. Cold versions of these drinks are often still in- out of it. Herbal teas can be made from individual
fused hot, and then chilled in the refrigerator or with herbs, but it is more common to use a mixture of herbs
ice; however it is possible to make cold infused coffee that work well to treat the condition you are seeking to
and tea; the process is just slower. This cold-infusion heal.
process takes time.
The advantage of hot infusion over cold is that it often
The properties of the herbs are simply extracted from extracts more of the essential ingredients from the
the leaves or beans into the water. This same process plant tissue. The heat breaks down cell walls, creating
can be used with just about any herb. a stronger infusion. On the other hand, a hot infusion
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