One of the things that distinguishes genuine bush medicine from wellness marketing is preparation. The same plant can be used in completely different ways for different conditions — the leaves brewed into a tea for internal use, the same leaves heated and applied as a poultice for topical use, the volatile oils inhaled as steam for respiratory symptoms. Knowing how to prepare plant material correctly is as important as knowing which plant to use.
This guide covers the main preparation methods used in Australian bush medicine, with practical instructions, native plant applications and important safety notes. It is not a substitute for formal botanical or medical training, and it should be read alongside our guidance on what the evidence actually supports and the broader context of Aboriginal bush medicine. But for those who want to move beyond buying bottled products and engage more directly with native plants, understanding these preparation methods is the starting point.
Before you start: safety and identification
Correct plant identification is non-negotiable before any home preparation of bush medicine. Several native plants have toxic lookalikes, and some are safe in one preparation method but harmful in another. If you are not confident in your botanical identification skills, start with commercially prepared products from identified species. The risks of misidentification with plants in the nightshade family or certain Acacia species are real and serious.
The plants with the best-established safety profiles for home preparation are the ones with the most research behind them: tea tree (prepared commercially), eucalyptus (steam inhalation), lemon myrtle (culinary infusion), river mint (infusion) and saltbush (topical infusion). Start with these before working with less well-documented species.
1. Leaf infusions (bush teas)
The infusion is the simplest and most widely applicable preparation method — essentially making a herbal tea from fresh or dried plant material. Leaves, flowers or other plant material are steeped in hot water, which extracts water-soluble compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, some alkaloids and volatile oils.
Method: bring water to just below boiling (85–95°C is better than a rolling boil for most herbs, as extreme heat can break down delicate aromatic compounds). Place fresh or dried plant material in a cup or teapot — for fresh leaves, use roughly 4–6 leaves per cup; for dried material, use approximately 1 teaspoon per cup. Pour the hot water over the plant material, cover, and steep for 3–7 minutes. Strain and drink.
Best native plants for infusions: lemon myrtle (dried leaves — exceptional flavour and antimicrobial properties), river mint (fresh or dried — milder than commercial peppermint), wattleseed (roasted and ground — more of a coffee-style drink than a herb tea), quandong (dried fruit pieces — tart, high in Vitamin C).
Notes: covering the vessel during steeping is important for aromatic herbs, as the volatile oils that carry much of the medicinal activity will evaporate if left uncovered. Do not steep for too long — beyond about 7 minutes, many herb teas become bitter and some can develop a less pleasant flavour from tannins.
2. Decoctions (for bark and roots)
A decoction is the appropriate method when working with harder plant material — bark, roots or woody stems — where simple steeping in hot water is insufficient to extract the active compounds. The material needs to be simmered rather than just steeped.
Method: break or crush the plant material into small pieces to increase surface area. Place in a small saucepan with cold water — roughly 1 tablespoon of plant material per 500ml of water. Bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) and simmer for 15–25 minutes, partially covered. Strain and allow to cool before use. Decoctions can be taken internally or applied externally depending on the plant and condition.
Best native plants for decoctions: paperbark bark infusions were traditionally used for various purposes; quandong root bark has documented traditional use. For most home purposes, leaf infusions are safer and more practical than bark decoctions, which require more precise botanical knowledge.
3. Poultices
A poultice is a preparation of plant material applied directly to the skin — one of the oldest and most widely documented methods in traditional medicine worldwide, and well-represented in Aboriginal bush medicine practice. Poultices are appropriate for topical conditions: infected wounds, insect stings, inflamed joints, skin irritation and minor burns.
Method: the simplest poultice involves crushing fresh leaves between your hands or using a mortar and pestle until they release their juices and form a moist mass. Apply the crushed material directly to the affected area and hold in place with a clean cloth or bandage. Leave for 20–30 minutes, then remove. The leaves can be briefly warmed (not cooked) before crushing to increase the release of volatile compounds.
An alternative method for dried material: grind dried plant material to a coarse powder, mix with a small amount of warm water to form a paste, apply as above.
Best native plants for poultices: saltbush leaves (soothing and anti-inflammatory — widely available in arid and coastal Australia); lemon myrtle leaves (antimicrobial — for minor skin infections); river mint leaves (cooling — for insect bites and minor inflammation). Tea tree oil in a carrier oil is a modern equivalent of the traditional tea tree leaf poultice.
4. Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is one of the best-evidenced preparation methods in bush medicine — the research base on eucalyptus steam inhalation for respiratory conditions is considerably stronger than for most natural remedy applications. The volatile oils carried by the steam are inhaled directly into the respiratory tract, where they exert their mucolytic, bronchodilatory and antimicrobial effects.
Method: bring a bowl of water to the boil and allow to cool slightly for 30 seconds (boiling water produces steam that is too hot and can cause burns). Add 3–5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, or a large handful of fresh eucalyptus or lemon myrtle leaves. Lean over the bowl with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam, and inhale slowly and deeply for 5–10 minutes. Keep your eyes closed.
Safety: keep a safe distance from the hot water. Never use boiling water directly. This method is not appropriate for children under two — eucalyptol can affect breathing in infants at concentrations safe for adults. People with asthma should use caution, as concentrated eucalyptus steam can occasionally trigger bronchospasm.
Best native plants for steam: eucalyptus (any high-cineole species — E. radiata is preferred for home use); lemon myrtle (excellent antimicrobial steam with a more pleasant fragrance than eucalyptus for some people).
5. Infused oils
Infusing plant material into a carrier oil extracts the fat-soluble compounds — including many of the anti-inflammatory and skin-active constituents — and creates a preparation that can be applied topically as a massage oil, wound dressing or skin treatment.
Cold infusion method: pack a clean, dry jar loosely with dried plant material (fresh material can cause the oil to go rancid from residual water content). Cover completely with a carrier oil — macadamia oil or jojoba are excellent choices for most applications. Seal the jar and leave in a warm, sunny position for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily. Strain through cheesecloth, squeezing out as much infused oil as possible. Store in a dark glass bottle.
Warm infusion method (faster): place plant material and carrier oil in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (bain-marie). Maintain a gentle warmth — not cooking heat — for 2–4 hours. Strain and bottle as above.
Best native plants for infused oils: emu bush leaves (for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds); saltbush (soothing skin oil); lemon myrtle (use sparingly — the citral content is potent and can cause irritation if the oil is too concentrated).
6. Smoke preparations
The use of plant smoke — both therapeutic and ceremonial — is one of the most significant and widely distributed practices in Aboriginal medicine. Green plant material is burned to produce smoke, which is directed toward the body, breathed in, or used to treat specific areas. This is a deeply cultural practice as well as a physical one, and its full significance goes beyond simple antimicrobial or analgesic application.
Some plant smoke has demonstrated antimicrobial properties in laboratory research, which provides biological plausibility for traditional applications. Engaging with smoke preparation respectfully means understanding its cultural context and approaching it as a practice with spiritual and relational dimensions, not just a delivery mechanism for plant compounds.
Common plants used in smoking traditions include emu bush branches, various eucalyptus species, and other aromatic native plants specific to different regions and communities. Where smoking is practised today by Aboriginal communities, it is often in culturally appropriate ceremonial contexts. Non-Aboriginal people interested in this area should approach it with appropriate cultural sensitivity.
Storing your preparations
Fresh plant infusions should be consumed immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Infused oils should be stored in dark glass bottles in a cool location and used within 6–12 months — check for any rancid smell before use. Dried plant material stores well in airtight containers away from light and heat.
Label everything clearly with the plant name, preparation date and method. It sounds obvious, but unlabelled preparations are a genuine safety risk, particularly when working with multiple species.