Phytotherapy is the medical treatment of some diseases based on the use of plants and plant substances and has been practiced for more than 7,000 years. To cure the flu, to relieve stress, to lose weight, or rest better at night, “sometimes we just have to let ourselves be cared for by nature.”
Guidelines When Using Them
As a general rule, it is advisable to use a mixture of plants for two reasons. On one hand, because it reduces the risk of addiction to a particular species, and on the other, because it reduces the risk that certain plants have side effects.
On how they are prepared, the ways of using a medicinal plant are very diverse and depend on the use that will be given and the way of extraction of the beginning. Thus, it distinguishes three fundamental forms of extraction:
- The Infusion
Introduce the chopped drug in an infuser or cup, bring water to a boil, and pour it into the container. Let infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. In his opinion, the infusion is advisable for leaves, flowers, plants with essential oils, or seeds.
- The Decoction
Bring water to a boil and incorporate the chopped drug. Bring to a boil again and allow to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Withdraw the drug and filter. It is recommended for stems, roots, or wood.
- Maceration
Leave the plant in contact with an extracting liquid for a certain time, normally cold. This is because some active ingredients cannot be extracted by infusion or decoction in water, or that they can undergo changes due to heat.
Medicinal plants should be used for a certain action. To choose the one that best suits us, it is best to go to an expert in the field, your doctor, or Hua Laksiam dealer (ฮั้วลักเซียมตัวแทนจำหน่าย, which is the term in Thai), who can advise us on which plant is best for us.
