An infusion is a large quantity of herb that has been 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, capped tightly, and allowed to sit for 4 to 10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed and the rest is cooled to slowly spoil. It is usual to drink 2 to 4 cups a day. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nutritional herbs become more accessible when drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions.
I make my infusions at night before going to bed and they are ready in the morning. I put my herb in my jug and my water in the pot, and the pot on the fire, then I brush my teeth (or sweep the floor) until the kettle whistles. I pour the boiling water to the rim of the jug, screw on an airtight lid, turn off the stove and light, and go to bed. In the morning, I strain the plant material, squeeze it well, and drink the liquid. I prefer it ice cream, unless the morning is freezing. I drink the liter of infusion within 36 hours or until it goes bad. I then use it to water the plants in my house, or pour it on my hair after washing as a final rinse that can be left on.
My favorite herbs to infuse are nettle, oatmeal, red clover, and comfrey leaf, but only one at a time. The tannins in the red clover and comfrey make me purse my lips, so I add a little peppermint, or bergamot, when I infuse them, just enough to spice up the infusion. A little salt in your infusion can make it taste better than honey.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT NOURISHING HERBAL INFUSIONS
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs when making my nutritious herbal tea?
No. The herbs I use for my nutritious herbal teas, such as nettle, oat straw, red clover, comfrey leaf, linden flower, chickweed, or mullein leaves, contain little or no volatiles. that are lost when drying. Rather, drying releases its minerals and other nutritional components.
Can I prepare my infusion as “sun tea”?
No. It is important to boil water over the dried herb to help release the minerals.
How can I make a nutritious herbal tea for many people?
When we make a Nutritious Herb Infusion for 30 at the Wise Woman Center, we start by boiling 4 gallons of water in our largest pot. We then add a pound of herb (16 ounces in a pound and 16 quarts in 4 gallons), stirring well until the water comes back to a boil. We cover the pot well with an airtight lid, turn off the heat and let it rest there overnight.
Can I make enough infusion to last a whole week?
No. It is better to make a fresh infusion every day. Once made, nutritious herbal teas go bad quickly. Refrigeration lengthens the time the infusion is good to drink. Depending on many factors, including the herb used and the internal temperature during preparation, a refrigerated infusion is usually good for at least 24 hours, sometimes up to 72 hours.
How can you tell if your infusion has gone bad?
If a nutritious herbal tea tastes strange, smells strange, and / or has bubbles, it is no longer safe to drink.
What can be done with the spoiled infusion?
Not everything is lost; The spoiled infusion makes a perfectly good hair rinse and an excellent plant food.
Are herbal teas safe for children?
Not only are nourishing herbal teas safe for kids, kids love nourishing herbal teas. Children who drink nutritious herbal teas instead of fruit juices tend to be healthier and more robust.
What about fruit juice?
Fruit juices are actually quite sweet – drinking them daily can promote tooth decay and obesity. They are expensive and, in fact, contain few nutrients in proportion to calories. Nutritious herbal teas, even if sweetened with honey, have a nutrient density at a much more favorable ratio of calories. (Caution: do not give honey to babies under one year of age).
Can I drink too much nutritious herbal tea? Or do you eat too much seaweed?
You may be surprised at your cravings for nutritious herbs once you start using them regularly. This is quite common. When you have absorbed all the minerals you need, your cravings will go away naturally. So no, it really is not possible to drink too many nutritious herbal teas or eat too much seaweed.
Is it true that you don’t take supplements?
Is. I have not taken supplements for over 25 years. I follow a healthy whole food diet, drink nutritious herbal teas every day, eat lots of yogurt, and take time for my weekly yoga classes (for 35 years) and tai chi classes twice a week (for 5 years).
How much infusion do you drink?
I drink 2-4 cups of nutritious herbal tea a day, plus I use several tablespoons of mineral-rich herb vinegars in my wild salad every day, and lots of garlic, onions, mushrooms, and seaweed.
How would you like to drink your herbal tea?
I prefer to drink my nourishing iced herbal tea. Although I might prefer my hot, honey-infused comfrey if the wind is howling and the snow is outside. A little salt or miso or nettle-infused umeboshi vinegar is another interesting variation that I enjoy.
Green Blessings!
Legal note: This content is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or symptom. Personal instructions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare professional with a specific formula for you. All material in this document is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a trusted doctor if you need medical attention. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
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