When making medicines (with the exception of infusions, powders, and suppositories), fresh herbs are almost always preferable to dried. Fresh herbs still retain a certain “green living energy” that the body can use to heal, and they possess much of the essential oil content that can be lost during drying. 

Ideas for Fresh Herb Remedies

Water-based Remedies. Fresh herbs can be used in water-based remedies including teas and infusions (though dried herbs work best); decoctions (they steep or simmer much longer than infusions); syrups; compresses; poultices; and hydrosols. Hydrosols, which require special equipment, have a short shelf life and should be used quickly. Others, such as poultices, should be used within minutes of making the remedy. A poultice is a first-aid remedy where the herbs are soaked in warm water and placed directly on the skin to ease a bruise or wound. A compress is where the herbs are soaked and then strained out, and a soft cloth is dipped into the concentrated "tea" and applied to the wound.

Alcohol and Vinegar Remedies. Fresh herbs are choice ingredients in tinctures, including those with alcohol, which is almost always an ethyl alcohol such as vodka, but you can also use wine, brandy, whisky, and other spirits. Do NOT use rubbing alcohol internally. This type of extraction makes a tincture which is super-concentrated and taken by the 1/4 teaspoon, usually about 30ish drops several times a day.

You can also steep fresh herbs in glycerin (though mostly soapy or fatty herbs work best here, rather than roots or barks).

Apple cider vinegar bases are my favorite, as they have a longer shelf life than water-based preparations and are portable. Vinegar is great for extracting minerals out of herbs, so it's a good choice for nutrient-and-nourishing remedies when you're using mineral-rich plants as tonics. Be sure to place the jar when you're steeping the herbs in vinegar on a plate, as the liquid tends to ooze out. Adding honey to the strained vinegar extract creates a sweet-and-sour oxymel. The finished concentrated vinegar can be taken straight, added to oil for a salad dressing, or drizzled onto fruit.

Honeys

Infusing herbs into honey makes a delicious and strong remedy. Learn more in this blog.

Fresh herbs can be nibbled and eaten, inhaled and touched. Establishing relationships with fresh, live plants is invaluable and is a fantastic learning step for children.

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