“I may have strayed away from nurturing my purpose for being on this planet last year.”
This thought passed through my higher consciousness when I was reflecting on 2015. There are so many people who passed through my life last year and I remember pausing from my purpose to assist them.
When I further reflected on that action, I then remarked: “Annette, you did not stray away from serving your purpose. Those people came to teach you about unconditional love and you passed the test.” Unconditional love is serving and loving people just as they are, without the need to be rewarded because we all carry the spirit of the Creator.
I was then instructed from a higher consciousness to educate readers about herbal terms. This is necessary because people are always asking me about a poultice. Indeed, this is my first New Year gift to readers of the column. These terms are extracted from the website http://abc.herbalgram.org.
Decoction: A tea made from boiling plant material, usually the bark, rhizomes, roots or other woody parts, in water. May be used therapeutically. Natural dyes are often made this way.
Infusion: A tea made by pouring water over plant material (usually dried flowers, fruit, leaves, and other parts (though fresh plant material may also be used), then allowed to steep. The water is usually boiling, but cold infusions are also an option. May be used therapeutically, as hot tea is an excellent way to administer herbs.
Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of either glycerine, alcohol or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Liniment: Extract of a plant added to either alcohol or vinegar and applied topically to employ the therapeutic benefits.
Poultice: A therapeutic application of a soft moist mass of plant material (such as bruised fresh herbs), usually wrapped in a fine woven cloth.
Essential oils: Aromatic volatile oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers and other parts of plants. Therapeutic use generally includes dilution of the highly concentrated oil.
Herbal infused oils: A process of extraction in which the volatile oils of a plant substance are obtained by soaking the plant in a carrier oil for approximately two weeks and then straining the oil. The resulting oil is used therapeutically and may contain the plant’s aromatic characteristic.
Finally, it is best to get connected to your higher self this year and incorporate unconditional love into this journey. Remember, silent doctors can heal.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your healthcare provider.