No one knows when man first used a herb to soothe a wound or relieve pain. It follows that when relief was obtained for himself/herself that mankind then turned his attention to treating his animal companions.

We can trace ancient herbal systems of healing back to references in ancient Sumerian texts, the Chinese Yellow Emperor who lived around 2500 B.C., Ayurvedic texts from the same time period, and the Romans to name a few. During the Middle Ages the church played a major role in cultivating and introducing herbs and with the invention of the printing press knowledge spread from the cloister to the general public complementing household herbal remedies and folk medicine. In almost all cultures healing with herbs was frequently combined with religious ritual.

In our day and age scientific technology provides us with validation for the many properties ascribed to herbs used as medicine.

This first article will describe some basic herbal terminology and methods of preparation.

Herbal remedies are so popular now that you can find them in most drugstores. Commercial preparations are packaged as teas, tablets, capsules, and extracts. However, to really appreciate where these remedies come from there is no substitute for growing, harvesting and preparing them yourself. A later article will give instruction on growing a small medicinal garden.When you do have a minor ailment to treat you can turn to your own garden.

Now let's have a look at the different methods of preparing herbal remedies. Infusions are made the same way as a cup of tea. Water is boiled and put into a receptacle and the loose herb is added and allowed to steep for 10 or 15 minutes. The tea is then strained and the dregs are discarded. This method is primarily used with aerial portions of herbs, in other words, those portions that grow above ground and usually consists of leaves and flowers. Harder materials such as roots and barks are decocted. This means that water is boiled first, the material is added, stirred, a lid is placed on the pot, the heat is turned down to its lowest setting and it is allowed to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. After removal from heat a decoction is allowed to cool before being strained. The plant material is then discarded.

I throw all my dregs into my compost.

Herbal extracts come in several different forms. Tinctures are made by adding plant material to a solvent such as water, alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin.

Extracts will vary in potency depending on the ratio of solvent to plant material. Extracts are left to steep for different lengths of time depending upon the constituents being extracted. Tinctures usually refers to extracts made with alcohol or vinegar where as fluid extracts generally refers to extracts made with water or glycerin. Some material is best extracted with alcohol while others are best extracted with water. For example, resins are best extracted with alcohol. An intimate knowledge of plant constituents is necessary in order to make the best choice of solvent in order to maximize release of the desired medicinal properties. In later articles when particular herbs are discussed I will recommend the most appropriate extraction medium for those of you who would like to try making your own extracts.

Herbs are also made into ointments and lotions. They are usually made by gently simmering herbal material into a cold pressed vegetable oil such as sweet almond, sunflower or grapeseed, strained and then thickened with beeswax. An antibiotic herbal extract can be added to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Since some herbs require heat to release actives, taking them in capsule form is sometimes futile. Likewise tablets. On the other hand capsules are a good way of taking herbs that taste quite nasty and of course when dealing with animals it is sometimes easier to give them capsules then to have them drink tea. However, it pays to be creative and the milder herbs in tea form can be given in the water bowl. I prefer to use fluid extracts that are made with water and just enough alcohol to preserve it. Thus you avoid giving animals alcohol that their systems cannot handle. Extracts are especially handy when treating cats.

Herbal terminology is not too complicated to master and for the sake of simplicity when an article contains a lot of the language of herbs I'll include a brief glossary of the end of those articles.

For now we'll have a look at the terminology used to describe the properties of herbs. Every herb contains hundreds of biochemical constituents that may have an effect on the body. These constituents are described according to their physiological effects. For example many herb plants contain tannins and are described as astringent and plants that contain aromatic essential oils are called diaphoretic, carminative, or stimulant. Here we will look at the most frequently considered herbal properties.

Alteratives are used as blood purifiers, gradually altering the condition of the body in a favorable manner. Commonly they are used to treat toxicity, arthritis, skin conditions, cancer and infections. Choosing the most appropriate alterative depends upon matching the properties of the herb with the condition being treated. Alteratives are also used to help the body eliminate waste products and to assist in the assimilation of nutrients.

Analgesics are herbs that are used to relieve pain without causing a loss of consciousness. Some relieve pain by reducing muscle cramps while others affect nerves directly by reducing pain signals to the brain.

Antacids act by neutralizing excess stomach acid and most also have demulcent properties which act to soothe and protect the lining of the stomach.

Antiasthmatic herbs help to relieve asthma symptoms. Some do this by dilating the bronchials or by breaking up mucus.

Antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth or actually destroy bacteria and viruses. Several herbs interfere with mechanisms by which bacteria and viruses replicate or in some cases prevent the release by bacteria of chemicals that weaken cells and allow invasion. However their primary action is to stimulate the body's own immune system. As with pharmaceutical antibiotics, overuse will result in the destruction of beneficial bacteria. It is always wise to take acidophilus when using antibiotics for any length of time.

Anticatarrhals are used to eliminate or prevent the formation of mucus. When using anticatarrhals, herbs should also be used that aid in elimination through other body systems.

Antiseptics are usually applied to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Antispasmodic herbs are used prevent or relax muscle spasms and are applied externally or taken internally. Most herbal formulas contain an antispasmodic to assist the body in relaxing to allow it to use its full energy for the healing process.

Astringents constrict tissue and are usually used to stop hemorrhages or excessive excretion/secretion by the body. They are also used to reduce swelling. Astringents are applied externally and also taken internally.

Carminative herbs are taken to relieve gas and griping.

Cholagogues promote the flow of bile into the small intestine. They also act as laxatives because the bile will stimulate elimination.

Demulcent herbs are soothing usually containing mucilage and are taken internally to protect tissue that is inflamed or damaged. In herbal formulations demulcents are used with diuretics to protect the kidneys and the urinary tract especially if stones or gravel are present. They are also used as absorbents in formulas for the intestinal tract.

Diaphoretics induce sweating. Sweating tea should be taken hot; if used cold they act as a diuretic instead.

Diuretics are used to increase the flow of urine when water retention, obesity, nerve inflammations, and swelling of the lymphatic system are present. They can be used for infections of the urinary tract, skin eruptions, and kidney stones. Demulcent herbs are often added to diuretic formulas to act as a buffer when the diuretic contains irritating substances.

Emetics are used when it is desirable to empty the stomach of its contents.

Emollients are substances that soothe, soften and protect the skin.

Expectorants assist the body in a spelling mucus from the throat and lungs. They can be used in a steam bath to help loosen mucus.

Galactagogue herbs increase milk flow.

Hemostatic herbs are used mainly to stop hemorrhage and include astringent herbs and those that affect the coagulation of blood.

Nervines calm the nervous system, reduce nervous tension, and nourish the nervous system.

Oxytocic herbs stimulate uterine contractions to assist and induce labor.

Parasiticide substances destroy parasites on the skin and also in the intestinal tract.

Rubefacient herbs produce redness where they are applied by increasing the flow of blood to the surface of the skin and by doing so draw inflammation and congestion from deep within. They are used extensively in the treatment of arthritis and other joint problems as well as for sprains.

Sedatives are stronger acting than nervines, acting quite strongly on the nervous system. Antispasmodics and some nervines are examples of sedatives.

Tonics act to promote the functions of different body systems. Most of them have a general effect on whole body and some a marked effect on a specific area.

Vulneraries promote the healing of wounds by promoting cells to grow and repair.

It is my intent in these articles to group the herbs according to their properties; for example, to look at diuretic herbs as a whole rather than dealing with individual herbs. In this way when you're looking for a particular action, having knowledge of herbs according to their properties makes easier to choose substitutes when certain herbs are not available.