How to Make Herbal Infusions - And Q & A

An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed forHow can you tell if your infusion has spoiled?
a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (aboutIf a nourishing herbal infusion tastes funny, smells
a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in aodd, and/or has bubbles in it, it is no longer fit to
quart jar, which is then filled to the top with boilingdrink.
water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10What can you do with spoiled infusion?
hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed,All is not lost; spoiled infusion makes a perfectly
and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinkinggood hair rinse and a superb plant food.
2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals andAre infusions safe for children?
other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are madeNot only are nourishing herbal infusions safe for
more accessible by drying, dried herbs arechildren, children love nourishing herbal infusions.
considered best for infusions.Children who drink nourishing herbal infusions
I make my infusions at night before I go to bedinstead of fruit juice are frequently healthier and
and they are ready in the morning. I put my herbmore robust.
in my jar and my water in the pot, and the potWhat's wrong with fruit juice?
on the fire, then brush my teeth (or sweep theFruit juices are really quite sweet: drinking them
floor) until the kettle whistles. I pour the boilingdaily can promote tooth decay and obesity. They
water up to the rim of the jar, screw on a tightare expensive, and actually contain little nutrients
lid, turn off the stove and the light, and go to bed.in proportion to calories. Nourishing herbal infusions,
In the morning, I strain the plant material out,even if sweetened with honey, have a much
squeezing it well, and drink the liquid. I prefer itmore favorable nutrient density to calorie ratio.
iced, unless the morning is frosty. I drink the quart(Caution: Do not give honey to infants under one
of infusion within 36 hours or until it spoils. Then Iyear of age.)
use it to water my house plants, or pour it overCan I drink too much nourishing herbal infusion? Or
my hair after washing as a final rinse which caneat too much seaweed?
be left on.You may be astonished by your desires for
My favorite herbs for infusion are nettle,nourishing herbs once you begin to use them
oatstraw, red clover, and comfrey leaf, but onlyregularly. This is quite common. When you have
one at a time. The tannins in red clover andabsorbed all the minerals you need, your cravings
comfrey make me pucker my lips, so I add awill naturally disappear. So, no, it is not really
little mint, or bergamot, when I infuse them, justpossible to drink too much nourishing herbal
enough to flavor the brew slightly. A little salt ininfusion or eat too much seaweed.
your infusion may make it taste better thanIs it true that you don't take supplements?
honey will.It is. I haven't taken supplements for more than
QUESTIONS - AND ANSWERS - ABOUT25 years. I do eat a healthy whole foods diet,
NOURISHING HERBAL INFUSIONSdrink nourishing herbal infusions daily, consume lots
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbsof yogurt, and take time for my weekly (for 35
when making my nourishing herbal infusion?years) yoga, and twice-a-week (for 5 years) tai
No. The herbs I use for my nourishing herbalchi classes.
infusions - such as nettle, oatstraw, red clover,How much infusion do you drink?
comfrey leaf, linden flowers, chickweed, or mulleinI drink 2-4 cups of nourishing herbal infusion a
leaves - contain little or no volatiles to be lost inday, plus I use several tablespoons of mineral-rich
drying. Rather, drying liberates their minerals andherbal vinegars on my wild salad daily, and plenty
other nourishing constituents.of garlic, onions, mushrooms, and seaweed.
Can I brew my infusion as "sun tea"?How do you like to take your herbal infusion?
No. It is important to pour boiling water over theI prefer to drink my nourishing herbal infusion iced.
dried herb to help liberate the minerals.Although I may prefer my comfrey infusion hot
How can I make nourishing herbal infusion for lotsand with honey if the wind is howling and the
of people?snow blowing outside. Some salt or miso or
When we make nourishing herbal infusion for 30umeboshi vinegar in nettle infusion is another
at the Wise Woman Center, we begin by boiling 4interesting variation I enjoy.
gallons of water in our biggest pot. Then we addGreen Blessings!
one pound of herb (16 ounces in one pound, andLegal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to
16 quarts in 4 gallons), stirring well until the waterreplace conventional medical treatment. Any
boils again. We cover the pot well with asuggestions made and all herbs listed are not
tight-fitting lid, turn off the fire, and allow to steepintended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
right there overnight.disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions
Can I make enough infusion to last for a wholeand use should be provided by a clinical herbalist
week?or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a
No. It is best to make infusion fresh each day.specific formula for you. All material contained
Once made, nourishing herbal infusions spoil rapidly.herein is provided for general information
Refrigeration lengthens the time the infusion ispurposes only and should not be considered
good to drink. Depending on many factors,medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable
including the herb used and the indoorhealthcare practitioner if you are in need of
temperature during the brewing, refrigeratedmedical care. Exercise self-empowerment by
infusion is usually good for at least 24 hours,seeking a second opinion.
sometimes as much as 72 hours.