Sorry, late to the party here.
The problem is that most folks don't really understand herbal remedies at all.
Only a couple hundred years ago, almost everyone knew some bit about how to prepare herbs for treatments. Poultices, slaves, teas, and tinctures were the norm in many households. Some folks excelled in it, and were the equivalent of the town's pharmacist, but common treatments were... common.
Today, it's a completely different story. The reliance is on the medical and pharmaceutical industries to treat all our ills. Treatments come in easily swallowed pills.
When people go to the Whole Foods, or local health store that stocks salves, oils, tinctures and herbs, they often have to be instructed on the proper use of them. There is a whole "re-education" process involved.
A few years ago, I got curious about herbalism, bought several books on the subject, and I learned a lot of small details that most folks would not know.
I knew you could evaporate the alcohol in a bit of water before treating with a tincture.
I know that the medium (oil, alcohol, water) determines how something is to be used.
I have an understanding of what kind of herbs should be steeped (infusion), and which should be boiled (decotion).
Also, each medium or preparation will "pull" different properties from the herbs.
BUT even then, I count my knowledge as "simple" at best. I would still recommend anyone new to herbalism to rely on an experienced herbalist for preparations and treatments. Doing it yourself without proper research is taking an incredible gamble.
.