How to Make an Herbal Infusion
What is an Herbal Infusion?
An Herbal Infusion is an herbal tea made with flowers and leaves and cooked for about twenty minutes. The purpose of an infusion is to lightly extract the healing principles of the delicate parts of a plant. An example of such an infusion is chamomile tea, which contains volatile oils that relax the nervous system, calm an upset stomach, and promote restful sleep.
The directions here are for 3 to 6 ounces of herbs.
Directions:
- Bring 3 quarts of water to boil in a large pot
- Turn down to simmer
- Add herbs to water
- Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes
- Turn off heat
- Strain tea and discard spent herbs
- Store tea in quart jars in refrigerator
Dosage:
- Drink 3 to 6 ounces 1 to 5 times a day
- Reheat tea in a saucepan on stove top (preferable to microwave)
- Honey can be added
NOTE: the amount of herbs and water can be cut in half if the tea is meant to be drank over 1 to 3 days
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why boil the herbs for only for 20 minutes?
Sometimes people are under the impression that “more is better.” The leaves, flowers, and twigs of plants often contain volatile oils which are delicate and can be boiled off with too long an extraction. Shorter cooking time is best. Roots and barks are typically cooked for about an hour and the longer extraction of denser plant material is called a decoction.
How do I know how much tea to drink?
Infusions are often used for acute type problems and can be drank fairly often. It is not uncommon to have 1/2 to 1 cup of infused tea every 1 to 2 hours for colds and flus, etc. This is unlike cooking roots for chronic conditions and detoxification regimens. The herbalist usually suggests how much to take based on whether it is an acute or chronic condition.
How long can the tea be stored in the refrigerator?
The rule of thumb for infusions are to drink as soon as possible so refrigeration is on the order of 1 to 5 days instead of the several weeks a large batch of decocted tea lasts.
How much tea will a three quarts of water make?
By boiling the water and simmering for 20 minutes you will only lose a few ounces to
evaporation. You should end up with a little under 3 quarts of tea or a little over 90 ounces. Taken by the 1/2 cup (4 ounces) at the rate of 4 times a day, this should last about 5 days.
The tea doesn’t taste good, how do I drink this?
Some herb teas are bitter. It is easier to drink a strong or bitter-tasting tea in 1 ounce amounts (shot glass) or in 3 ounce doses in a wine glass. A small dose can be swallowed quickly. A 1/2 cup full can be sipped or gulped. Honey helps the taste.
