Traditional herbal preparation techniques passed down through three generations of New Mexico healing knowledge. These are the methods behind our tinctures, teas, and salves.
The following preparation methods reflect traditional Southwest herbalism as practiced within the Cura Verde family tradition. They are offered for educational purposes. Please work with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider when preparing and using herbal remedies.
Put a rounded teaspoon of the herb either in a tea ball or loosely in a cup. Pour a cup of boiling water over the herb, steep for 15 minutes and remove the tea ball or strain out the herb. For seeds or powdered herbs, use a scant teaspoon; for whole leaves or twigs, use a tablespoon.
Suspend 1 part of the herb (by weight) in cloth, a paper towel, or tea ball in 32 parts of water (by volume) overnight at room temperature. In the morning squeeze out the excess tea from the herb and add sufficient water to return the volume of tea to the original 32 parts.
Boil 32 parts of water, remove from heat and steep 1 part of the herb (by weight) in the hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain the tea and pour sufficient water through the herb in the strainer to return the volume of the tea to 32 parts.
Combine 32 parts of water with 1 part of the herb in a glass, steel, or earthenware vessel. Bring slowly to a boil, continuing for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and cool. Pour the tea through a strainer and add enough water to bring the volume of the tea to the original 32 parts.
Same as the Strong Decoction, but use half the quantity of herb in 32 parts of water.
In the top of a double boiler over a low flame, melt 3 parts of petroleum jelly, lard or vegetable shortening, add 1 part (by volume) of recently powdered herb, and steep for 3 to 4 hours, replenishing the water in the base of the double boiler as needed. Stir the mixture occasionally. When fully steeped, pour the clear salve off the top into containers and discard the herb sediment.
Method IIMoisten 1 part (by volume) of the recently powdered herb with 2 parts (by volume) of grain alcohol. Allow the moistened herb to stand in a sealed vessel for several hours. Put in a blender, add 3 parts vegetable oil (olive oil is the best), and blend until the sides of the blender jar are warm. Squeeze the oil through a cloth, discard the herb, and warm in the top of a double boiler. As the oil warms and the alcohol evaporates, add enough beeswax or paraffin to harden the oil when cool (about ½ part). While still warm, pour the salve into containers to harden.
Method IIIIn a closed jar, steep 1 part of recently ground herb (by volume) in 3 parts vegetable oil for at least 2 weeks, shaking it once a day. Then pour off the oil into the top of a double boiler (discarding the herb sediment after squeezing it through a cloth), and add beeswax or paraffin as in Method II. If you wish to keep the oil in liquid form and not turn it into a salve, the herb must be steeped in olive oil or sesame oil, since other vegetable oils will become rancid in several months.
Any solution used for the eyes should be of the same salinity as tears and should be made fresh every 8 hours. To make the water isotonic, add ¼ measuring teaspoon of salt to a measuring cup of water. With this water, make a Simple Tea with the herb and cool to body temperature before using.
One part by weight of the fresh, chopped herb is steeped for 7 to 10 days in 2 parts (by volume) of grain alcohol (such as Everclear or Puro de Caña) and pressed or squeezed out.
Dry Plant TincturesOne part by weight of the dried, freshly ground herb is mixed in a closed jar with 5 parts (by volume) of the appropriate solvent. Shake the tincture for a minute or two twice a day for 2 weeks. Allow the tincture to settle the final day and pour off the clear tincture, squeezing or pressing out the sediment in a clean cloth. Mix the two liquids together and discard the squeezed herb.
Vinegar TinctureFollow the directions for the Dry Plant Tincture, but use vinegar for the solvent.
A gentle, honey-based preparation that turns a strong infusion into a sweet, spoonable remedy for the kitchen shelf. Ideal for soothing an upset stomach, quieting a cough, or easing into a restful evening.
Steep ½ cup of herb in 2 cups of just-boiled water for 15 minutes, then strain the tea back into the pot. Add 1 cup of honey or sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Warm gently for 5 minutes — do not boil, to preserve the beneficial properties of the honey. Pour into a clean glass jar, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
Moisten the fresh herb well, chop it up, and crush it into a pulp in a mortar and pestle or a food processor. Apply the pulp directly to the skin and cover with a moist cloth.
Method IIMix 1 part of the ground herb with 1 part of flour, Comfrey Root powder (available from any health food store), or corn meal. Add enough hot water to the mixture to give it the consistency of prepared mustard and spread it between 2 layers of gauze or muslin. Apply to the area to be treated and cover the whole with a towel moistened in fairly hot water. Remoisten the towel with hot water as the poultice cools.
Method IIIMake a very strong tea from the herb (or use the tincture), and blend with the flour, Comfrey, or corn meal as in Method II above.
Crystal and herbal healing are alternative, spiritual practices. They are intended to support mental and emotional well-being and should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.