One of the most effective ways to use herbs is by making them into
teas. Much of the herbal constituents leach out into the hot water
making them easy to assimilate, and allowing them to work quickly.
There are two methods of making teas, they are both very simple.
Infusion:
An Infusion is usually made just like a tea.
Boiling water is poured over a certain amount of the herb, usually
the leaves or flowers, in a cup or other suitable container.
This slurry is then covered with a saucer or
other cover, and allowed to steep for 10-20 minutes (We use quart and
pint canning jars, with lids and sealers.). Steeping allows the volatile and aromatic ingredients of the herb
to pass into the water. The vitamins and essence of the herb are
removed by the infusion.
As a general rule, one teaspoon of herb is
used per cup of hot water, or one tablespoon per quart of liquid. Never allow the infusion to boil. The herb part
of the plant is usually used for this type of tea. If the woodier
parts of the plant are used, you will need to let it steep longer.
Once it has cooled to a lukewarm temperature, strain the tea and add some honey to
improve the taste if you want.
Most infusions are taken to relieve the discomfort of colds, flu,
coughs, and related maladies.
A suggested schedule of consumption would be one to three cups,
spaced throughout your day.
Decoction:
A decoction is made by simmering the plant part in water (preferably
in a non-metal pan). Leaves, flowers or powdered forms are ready
within 3-5 minutes; roots, twigs, seeds, and buds must be simmered
at least 30 minutes to extract their medicinal components. Always
start with about 30% more liquid to accommodate the inevitable evaporation
(For example, to create one pint, you would start out with 1 1/2 pints and simmer 30
minutes).
Keep the pan covered.
Use a ratio of one teaspoon of powdered herb (or
one tablespoon of cut her) to one cup of water.
Strain carefully
before using.
This method is mainly used for extracting the active
ingredients from the tougher parts of the plant, such as roots,
bark, and seeds. Remember to simmer only, do not boil hard.
The following are examples of creative experimentations you can try, making teas that are pleasant to taste and healthy.
"Root Beer" Tea
3 parts sassafras bark
2 parts dandelion root
1 part licorice
root
1 part pau d' arco
1 part vitex (chaste tree berry)
1 part
wild yam
1 part ginger root
1/2 cart cinnamon
1/4 part orange
peel
1/4 part dong quai
a pinch of stevia (optional)
Instructions
Use 4-6 Tbsp. of herb mixture per quart of water.
Add the herbs to
cold water and simmer lightly for 20 minutes.
Strain and drink 3-4
cups daily.
This tea has a flavor kind of like old-fashioned root
beer. It is a wonderful tonic for the endocrine system and liver,
regulating hormones while purifying and cleansing the body.
What can you do for Colds and Flu?
Here’s an
interesting varietal tea from Dr. Deathridge, a naturopath in
southern Missouri:
Instructions
Bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to boil.
Once it is boiling add 1/2 cup Echinacea Purpurea root.
Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add 2 Tbsp. Chinese Ephedra, 2 Tbsp. Boneset,
2 Tbsp. Eyebright, 1/2 tsp. Ginger root pwd., and 1/2 cup Peppermint
leaf.
Mix and cover.
Let this set for an additional 25 minutes.
Strain and drink.
An adult dose is 1/4 cup per hour.
A recipe for colds, fevers, flu, colic, intestinal cramps,
and stomach pain:
Bayberry (4 ounces)
Ginger (2 ounces)
White pine (1 ounce)
Cloves ( a pinch)
Cayenne (a pinch)
Instructions
Mix these herbs in the powdered form and steep approximately 1 teaspoon in a cup of hot water.
Allow the herbs to settle and drink the tea.
This recipe can also be put into capsules. Take 1-3 daily.
A great tea for Sore Throats:
Instructions
Measure 1 1/2 quarts of water and bring to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, add 1 heaping Tbsp. Balm of Gilead buds.
Simmer 25 minutes.
Turn the heat off and add 2 Tbsp. Wild Indigo.
Stir, cover and let sit another 25 minutes.
Strain and drink.
Female Tonic Tea
(This recipe comes from Herbal Healing for Women, by Rosemary Gladstar.)
2 parts raspberry leaf
1 part strawberry leaf
2 parts nettle
2
parts peppermint or spearmint leaves
2 parts lemon grass
1 part squawvine
stevia to taste
Instructions
Use 4-6 Tablespoons of herb mixture per quart of water.
Add herb
mixture to cold water and bring to simmering point.
Remove from heat
and allow to infuse for 20 minutes.
Strain and drink 3-4 cups daily.
A recipe for Cramp Bark Tea
(from Herbal Healing for Women, by Rosemary Gladstar)
2 parts Cramp Bark (or Black Haw)
1 part Pennyroyal, 1/2 part
Ginger
Instructions
Add four to six Tablespoons of the herb mixture per quart of cold
water.
Place on low heat and slowly bring to a slow simmer. Keep the
pan covered tightly.
Simmer only two to five minutes, then remove
from the heat.
Drink small amounts (1/4th cup) every fifteen minutes
until cramps subside.
A recipe for Nursing Mother's:
Blessed Thistle Tea
1 part Blessed Thistle
4 parts Fennel seed
2 parts Nettle leaf
2
parts raspberry leaf
Instructions
Use 4-6 Tablespoons of herb mixture per quart
of water.
Add herbs to cold water and bring to slow boil over low
heat.
Remove and let infuse for 20 minutes.
Strain.
Drink 3-4 cups
daily.
What kind of herbal tea can you use for a bladder infection?
Another variant from Dr. Deathridge:
Instructions
Bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil.
Add 1/2 cup echinacea purpurea root and 2 Tbsp. Marshmallow root.
Cover and simmer 25 minutes.
Turn off heat and add 3 Tbsp. Uva Ursi leaf.
Stir, cover, and let set an additional 25 minutes.
Strain and drink this throughout the day. Be sure to drink plenty of
other fluids, as well.
We recommend Wilderness Family Naturals products because of their integrity and quality.
However, other online retailers and natural food stores may also carry similar goods.
Whenever, possible we have tried to give you information on how to recognize superior products.
Wilderness Family Naturals products can be found at: www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com
or by calling (800) 945-3801.
