Herbal Remedy Preparation Tools

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential tools and their household alternatives for preparing herbal remedies.

Mortar and Pestle

Tool for grinding herbs and spices; can be replaced by a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor.

Double Boiler

Provides gentle, indirect heat for infusions, decoctions, and melting ingredients; substitute with a heat-proof bowl or jar set in a saucepan of water.

Strainer / Sieve

Used to strain herbal infusions or decoctions; a clean cotton cloth or coffee filter works as a substitute.

Cheesecloth / Nut Bag

Fine-mesh cloth for straining and filtering herbal liquids; replace with a clean cotton cloth or coffee filter if needed.

Glass Jars, Bottles, and Salve Tins

Airtight containers for storing herbal preparations; food-grade plastic containers or resealable bags can substitute.

Medicine Dropper

Enables precise measurement and dosing of liquid remedies; a sterilized dropper from an existing medicine bottle can be reused.

Labels

Identify and date each herbal preparation; writing on adhesive or masking tape is an easy alternative.

Funnel

Helps pour herbal preparations into bottles or jars without spilling.

Measuring Spoons

Provide accurate measurements of herbs and other ingredients during formulation.

Clean Cloth / Towel

Covers and protects preparations while they dry or infuse; paper towels or parchment paper can replace them.

Amber or Dark-Colored Glass Bottle

Protects herbal preparations from light degradation; wrap clear glass in aluminum foil or store in a dark cabinet as a workaround.

Herb Scissors

Multi-blade scissors for quickly cutting harvested herbs; regular kitchen scissors or a sharp knife also work.

Glass Stirring Rod / Wooden Spoon

Used for stirring ingredients during preparation; a metal spoon or spatula serves as a substitute.