Lotions, ointments, tinctures, and teas are four ways to incorporate herbs into our daily lives. There are many more methods including oils, salves, creams, washes, infusions, syrups, inhalants, compresses, baths, capsules, tonics, astringents, lozenges, suppositories, liniments, powders, poultices, and plasters.

It's no wonder that many women were once accused of practicing witchcraft. Most herbal remedies required that herbs be infused in some type of liquid or oil. This usually involved stirring up a pot of "brew". These wise women were not witches. They were skilled women using recipes passed from generation to generation. They knew the value of medicinal herbs and were available when no doctor was closer than a week’s journey.

Today we have doctors and nurses to provide us with excellent health care. Most of these dedicated professionals will admit that there is a place for herbs in our daily lives. In today's society, many people are returning to the ways of our elders. It's not just old hippies and third world countries that use herbs.

Herbs are proven effective for relieving stress and improving various ailments. Many are beneficial for skin and are valued in modern beauty products. As the Bible states in Proverbs 27:9, "Ointment and Perfume Rejoice the Heart."

Consumers are constantly bombarded with herbal extracts, supplements and cure-alls. Most of these products come with high price tags and exaggerated claims. If an herbal extract comes last in the list of ingredients, there is not enough of the original herb to do much good.

Abundant fresh herbs grow in the North Georgia Mountains. From the tall spikes of mullein to the silver mountain mint and lovely dandelions, most are free for the taking. Remedies are easily made with ordinary kitchen equipment. In the weeks to come, this column hopes to provide recipes and introduce you to the benefits of home-made herbal lotions, ointments, tinctures, and teas.