[Sca-cooks] herbal question

[Philip & Susan Troy]

Ted Eisenstein wrote:

> Okay, so this isn't technically a cooking question; but it does sort
> of concern herbs - and since I don't have the address for an herbs
> list, and since y'all are knowledgeable, what the heck. . .
>
> I've gotten a steam inhaler for the occasional sinus-clearing thang?
> And I'm wondering if there are any essences of <herb> that would
> penetrate said sinuses better than just pure steam, that I could add to
> the water?
>
> (And the first person who suggests wasabi will be consigned to eating
> it for lunch. Only it. <grin>)
>
> Are there good sources out there that list which herbs and decoctions
> thereof are good for which imbalances of the humors? And how does
> one do a proper decoction, anyway? (Errr, no, not tea-type things. I'm
> looking for essences, I guess, the ones that are closer to alcohol than to
> simple herbs-steeped-in-water-for-eons. No, wait, not steeped in alcohol,
> although those would be spiff, but the ones that are pure essence, which means,
> I guess, proper distillation of Essence of <Whatever>. I think. Does anyone
> have the slightest idea of what I'm talking about? I sure don't, for once.)
>
> Questions. I have questions.
>
> Alban, sniffing away in Calontir


I've seen dried eucalyptus leaves available in some of the Latino markets, sold alongside the spices and looking more than a bit like bay leaves, but you are apparently supposed to boil or distill them. You might try adding some of those to your steamer.


Adamantius

--
Phil & Susan Troy

troy at asan.com

"It was so blatant that Roger threw at him.  Clemens gets away with
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