It's all well and good to know the properties of botanicals, but making use of those botanicals requires some knowledge of preparation techniques. Below is a list of preparations using botanicals that makes botanicals useable in ritual. Some botanicals are toxic when prepared in certain fashions - be careful!

~ NOTE ~

I am not a herbalist! Please don't use any of these preparations unless you are SURE you aren't allergic to them and that they aren't toxic when prepared that way! This is meant as a guide to the magickal/ritual uses of botanicals, not as healthcare advice!

Decoction

Boil botanicals in water (ratio of at least 30g of botanical for every 500mL of water) for 20-30 minutes (roots need longer). Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain, bottle, and use as necessary.

Infusion

This is the origin of the idea of a Witch's potion - a process of soaking herbs in water. Infusions are drunk as teas, added to a bath, rubbed into furniture and floors, and to anoint the body.

Hot Infusion: Boil water. Add some of the boiled water to 1 teaspoon of botanical. Cover and let steep for 9-13 minutes. Strain, cool.  Bark, roots, seeds, resin, bruised nuts, buds, etc. may be used in hot infusions.

Cold infusion : Steep botanical in cold water or cold milk for several hours.

Oils

Warm 1/2 - 1 cup of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oil in a saucepan and wrap/tie 20-30g of botanical in cheesecloth or loose weave undyed cloth. Place the botanical in the oil and leave on low heat for 20 minutes or until the botanical has lost its colour.

 OR

Pack a large jar with the chosen botanical and pour in any mono unsaturated or polyunsaturated oil. Use enough to cover the botanical. Close tightly. Label the jar and place in a sunny place for several weeks. Strain out the botanical by pouring the oil through cheesecloth into a fresh jar. (Hold the cheesecloth over the opening of the jar containing the herbs and secure with a rubber band. Invert the jar and pour the infused oil through the cheesecloth.) Before discarding the botanicals, squeeze all the oil out of them. Repeat the entire procedure. Repack a clean jar with more of the same botanical. Add the infused oil, plus enough additional oil to cover the botanicals. Store again in sunlight. Strain again through cheesecloth. Pour the oil into a labelled jar and store until needed.

Tincture

Seal 150g of herb and 300mL of medicinal alcohol in a dark glass bottle. Store in a dark cool place and shake daily for two weeks. Strain before use.