How to make an herbal infusion

Enjoy the full benefit of medicinal herbs

Herbal remedies offer nourishment as well as medicinal properties. To obtain vitamins, minerals, and healing compounds from herbs, try preparing a type of tea known as an infusion. An infusion is prepared with a greater quantity of herb, and brews much longer than a simple herbal tea. The longer brewing time allows the water to draw out the herb's vitamins, minerals, and medicinal properties.

An infusion is usually made from dried plant parts, such as leaves, berries, or roots. Whether you dry herbs from your own garden, or purchase them from a health food store, you can easily prepare your own infusion.

Instructions

Step 1

Place herb in jar

Place 1 ounce of dried herb into a quart size canning jar. If you are using dried leaves or flowers, an ounce is equal to roughly two handfuls of herb. For dried bark, roots, or seeds, use 1 handful.

Step 2

Fill jar with boiling water

In a tea kettle, boil water. Fill the quart jar to the very top with boiling water. Place the cap tightly on the jar.

Step 3

Brew the infusion

Brew the infusion at room temperature. Brewing time depends on which plant part you are using. To avoid bitter flavor, brew seeds or berries no longer than 30 minutes. Brew dried flowers for 2 hours, leaves for 4 to 8 hours, and bark or roots for 8 hours or overnight.

Step 4

Strain infusion and enjoy

Pour the infusion through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl and squeeze the water from the leftover herb back into the infusion. Pour the strained liquid back into the jar. To avoid spoilage, refrigerate infusion up to 72 hours. Drink hot or iced.

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Things Needed

1 ounce of dried herb

1 quart canning jar

tea kettle

water

fine mesh strainer

medium size bowl

Tips & Warnings

Different herbs and plant parts can require different brewing times and herb quantities. The instructions in this guide apply to infusions which are prepared from leaves.

You may use other types of glass jars besides canning jars. Just make sure that the glass is heat resistant, or it will break upon contact with boiling water.

Dosage will vary with each herb. Always consult a reference book or trained herbalist before using an herb with which you are not familiar. If you are pregnant or nursing, or take prescription medication, ask your doctor before using a medicinal herb.

Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family

by: Rosemary Gladstar
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Judith C Evans
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Nettle infusion

Susun Weed makes stinging nettle leaf nourishing herbal infusion. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy, make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good you'll jump up and exercise. An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. herbshealing.com

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