An aspect of embodiments of the invention relates to providing novel therapeutic compositions comprising herbal extracts of the plant species Sambucus nigra, Echinacea purpurea, and Centella asiatica. The compositions exhibit increased therapeutic activity for treatment of various inflammatory diseases, in particular, inflammatory diseases of mucosa or skin relative to previously identified compositions. In addition the compositions exhibit increased solubility relative to previously identified compositions. In an embodiment of the invention, the ratio of Sambucus nigra:Echinacea purpurea:Centella asiatica is 7:1:2. An embodiment of the invention provides methods for preparing an aqueous therapeutic composition comprising extracts of the aforementioned plant species, using at least two extractions.
