A powder is a form of fine particles of one or more substances. And a herbal powder is made from one or more raw dried herbs.
A herbal powder is very convenient to use. You can take it either by capsule, in water, in herbal tea, in poultice, or sprinkled onto food. For internal use, a herbal powder is very easy to take, you can mix it with water, milk or juice, then consume it. Or you can boil it in water for 1-2 minutes to make a decoction, then drink it. Or you can use it as a spice, cook with food. For external use, you can apply the powder directly to the affected area, or mix it with water, oil to make a poultice, then apply to the affected area.
How to Make a Herbal Powder
Depending on how much your doing, to make a powder, you can use a coffee grinder, a blender, a food processor, a pestle or a mortar. It is recommended to use a coffee grinder. If you use a pestle or mortar to make a powder, it can be a hard work. A coffee grinder can make a powder much easier.
You need herbs to make a herbal powder. If you have fresh herbs, you should wash them with water using a sink. Then you must dry the herbs. Just make sure the material is very dry before making a powder, or you can end up with a mess.
There are many methods to make dried herbs. The easiest way to dry herbs is to let the herbs to air dry at room temperature.
You can also expose the herbs to warm, dry air. For example, leave the herbs close to a heat outlet if in winter season.
Sun drying can be used for many herbs, but is not recommended for a herb (for example a spice) that has a strong flavor because the herb can lose flavor.
Using an oven is a fast way to dry herbs. Turn the oven on to about 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Place herbs into the oven for drying. watch them very carefully, do not let them to burn. when they appear crisp, the herbs are properly dried.
Please note, for roots, twigs, thick barks or other hard stuff when dry, you should cut them into small pieces before drying, otherwise it may damage your coffee grinder due to too hard or too large of the material.
After you have dried herbs, you can use a coffee grinder to make a powder.
Store the herbal powder in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. Please note, the bathroom medicine cabinet is one of the worst places for storing herbal powder because of its moist, humid and heat environment.
To learn how to make a decoction and a tincture, go to Natural Remedies Center:
