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By Root 831 0

have electric grinders to do their pulverizing and powdering deeds. The most useful mortars and pestles are those that an herbalist can use to help prepare materials for further grinding in their electric grinder; these are the mortar and pestles designed specifically for contusion. They are made of brass, iron, or bell-metal which ideally has been molded into a deep, slender design. These tools can be used to pulverize roots, barks, and other tough woody materials by smashing down on them with the metal pestle. The narrow diameter and exaggerated depth of these devices help prevent the plant materials from flying out of the container when impacted by the pestle. A cover of stiff leather a little larger in diameter than the rim of the mortar is a further deterrent. This leather collar allows the pestle’s free movement in the process of contusion.

I recommend that you attain an archetypal, white porcelain Wedgwood mortar and pestle to display on a prominent shelf or countertop. These were designed for the more gentle act of trituration, which you will perform at times (see “Trituration,” Chapter Twenty-Five), rather than contusion. This classic symbol visually connects an herbalist’s spirit to the grand heritage of the Galenic art and science of herbal medicine-making.

Deep contusion mortar and pestle with the leather collar

MEASURING CUPS AND/OR GRADUATED CYLINDERS

I find it practical to rely on plastic graduated cylinders. If you have any klutziness in you at all, or if you suspect you might have some questionable glass karma, the glass ones are too risky to use on a daily basis. I possess some beautiful Pyrex® glass cylinders that sit handsomely in my lab. They’re an inspiration to behold; but I do most of my work using three plastic measuring cylinders (100 ml, 250 ml, and 500 ml sizes). In my case, it’s definitely the klutz factor. And in the herb school lab we use plastic exclusively. Our lab floor is made of cement; and glass measuring devices disappear faster than Kleenex in a hayfever ward.

LID GRIPS

You’ll need three of these to help you loosen jar lids that you previously tightened and allowed to sit around for a while. Inevitably, you will find it extremely difficult to remove the lid when you want to get back inside the jar. (This doesn’t seem to occur as often when one employs a small kitchen-witch to reside inside or nearby the pharmacy area of the home.) When this situation does occur, however, what you do is put one lid grip on each side of the jar and place this between your thighs (I’m being serious here), and use the third grip to take hold of the lid. Squeeze your legs tightly against the jar sides and grimace as you firmly grasp and twist the obstinate lid counterclockwise. The lid will loosen. If it doesn’t, repeat the above and add some light profanity. You might want to make the grimace a little more intense too. This always works for me. Using this ritual, I’ve never been denied entry into a jar of macerating herb.

STIRRING DEVICES

I recommend acquiring a 12- to 14-inch long by 1/2-inch diameter piece of wooden dowel, some 12-inch long wooden spoons, strong wooden chopsticks, and other stirring things that have some heft and can work well to mix and blend dense, mushy concoctions. In a short time, you will discover and adopt a favorite stick as your stirring companion. This relationship will thrive for years in a sea of activity and mutual appreciation.

STRAINERS

These are absolutely necessary to help separate depleted marcs from saturated menstruums. Acquire a variety of sizes and meshes. I use 4-inch diameter and 6-inch diameter strainers most often, but I often find that both smaller and larger ones are more helpful for specific jobs. At some point release the funds for one of those svelte, stainless steel, probably European-made, overpriced strainers that you can find in gourmet kitchen supply stores. The very fine mesh they provide is most useful for specific filtering tasks that will arise. The equally overpriced gold mesh coffee filters are useful too. You’ll enjoy acquiring