Can I use Mortar&Pestle?

Hi, I was recently gifted a mortar and pestle. It's rather small, however, I'm very interested in herbalism and herbology. Does anyone have a place for me to start? I've seen people combine different herbs, spices, and ground them into a powder used for many different purposes. Thanks!

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yes! it's one of the finest ways to mix dried herbs!

This Is a great book to help you Get Started on your Herb Adventure!


http://amzn.to/qOfUwB

I find my mortars and pestles invaluable (I have a wooden one and a marble one). I'm on the hunt for the perfect one. My marble one is for my altar. We use the wooden one for cooking and herbal remedies. Wood isn't good for seeds or very hard herbs and spices. And if you put seeds into a smooth marble pestle prepare to duck and cover! They shoot out if there are no grooves. I learned that the hard way....

The best is a mortar that is stone (or) clay or marble with small ridges and a wooden pestle (it doesn't scratch or wear down the mortar). I may break down and just buy a suribachi or make my own. They're simply beautiful and practical!

Mortar and pestles are wonderful instruments, and aid in making powders, incense, tinctures, and oils. Often enough we run across substances or material that is often tough to handle in its raw form, so being able to grind stuff up into a more manageable form is always encouraged.

For ideas of what you might create using your new mortar & pestle, I've rounded up this nifty website:

http://www.herbcompanion.com/Cooking/The-Mortar-and-Pestle.aspx

As for dealing with seeds and other awkward or hardened substances, try laying out wax paper folded in half, with the substance tucked in the fold. Using a hammer or mallet, crush the material, then dump into your mortar and continue to grind into a powder or whatever courseness you desire.

Thank you guys! Yes, I've bought a book already. I find them very elegant, and one of the simplest ways to create wonderful things!

A mortar & pestle are quite invaluable tools for anyone working with herbs. You may want to look for a porcelain mortar & pestle with a rough surface inside the bowl. I have several different kinds and I find that I use my marble and porcelain tools most often. You can look for Pharmaceutical quality mortar & pestles on eBay or google them for more options.

Trinity

i swear by my morter and pestal... its very special to me for what it does and whom i got it from.... it came from land off my tribe and has been in the family for older than me from my passed on grampa to me .... good tool to have good luck with your herbal findings feel free to let me know how its going... blessings

mortar and pestles are very important and valuable to have! however, if you are going to ingest herbs, for teas or what not make sure you have two, one for poisonous herbs (obviously dont ingest those) and one for edible herbs.