Since I started to dive deeper into the Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine Course I study these days, I became literally obsessed with nourishing herbal teas, their benefits and how to use them in various ways – think tinctures, capsules, hot tea = short infusion, cold infusion, decoction and overnight = long infusion.
Did you know that you can make a mineral-rich herbal infusion in your kitchen and stop spending money on expensive store-bought multivitamins?
The last thing I want is to make you read another long article about the benefits of herbal teas. So, this would rather be an article based on my latest excitement and experiment!
But first, to be completely honest with you, I must disclose, that various herbal teas were and still are a part of my life since I can remember. Back at home (that’s right, in that small village with little over 1000 inhabitants hidden in the picturesque valley, surrounded by beautiful serene hills and breathtaking forests), we’ve always enjoyed foraging for the wild plants. Ahh, such beautiful memories!
Many of us are familiar with herbal teas tinctures and short infusions – who doesn’t like a cup of nourishing hot tea?!
Today, however, I want to tell you about my latest obsession – overnight “long infusion”.
Herbs/plant matter that is infused for longer time, 4-10 hours, is called ‘infusion’ or ‘tonic’. It is practically a mineral-rich extract you can make in your kitchen simply by pouring hot water over your chosen herbs, and letting it steep overnight. Plants and herbs contains lots of minerals and vitamins and other nutrients, that are extremely beneficial to us. The longer the water has contact with the herb, the more minerals it can extract from the plant.
It’s almost like when you eat a salad (presuming you chew it thoroughly, as the digestion starts in the mouth!), and letting the minerals and nutrients nourish and build your body. With the herbal infusions, this just got easier – you don’t have to rely on eating a salad to get your daily nutrients in – you can simply extract them into hot water from the same leafy greens you know and love.
You can literally make your own ‘multi-vitamin tea’ to sip on throughout the day, and forget those expensive store-bought multivitamin supplements!
How to make an overnight mineral-rich infusion
“BECAUSE MINERALS ARE ROCK-LIKE, WE NEED TO BREAK OPEN CELL WALLS TO GET AT THEM. TO EXTRACT MINERALS, WE NEED HEAT, TIME, AND GENEROUS QUANTITIES OF PLANT MATERIAL.” ~ HERBALIST SUSUN WEED
MATERIALS:
- large mason jar with the lid (1 litre of 32 oz)
- dried herb(s) of your choice – 30 g or one ounce (we are talking large quantities – think 1/3 of the jar)
- boiling water
DIRECTIONS:
1.Choose your nourishing plants. I started with single herb, as I was excited to try how does the individual herb taste when not in blend with any other plant and infused for longer. With the time, I will blend more plants in one jar.
2.Clean your jar, and add the plant material.
3.Boil the water and pour it over the herbs until the rim, close tightly and let it sit. (on my pictures above I the water is not poured until the rim purely because the mason jar I have is slightly bigger than 1 litre).
4.After at least 4-6 hours (or simply overnight), strain the plant material out (squeeze it well, so you get all the goodies out of the plant), and pour the herbal infusion back to the jar. Store if fridge. Drink it room temperature, or warm it up on the stove. You can also add honey. Drink it throughout the day and make a new one for the next morning!
The easiest is to prepare the infusion before you go to bed, and in the morning you have it all ready!
What plant material to choose?
I follow the advice of my very favourite herbalist I am now learning from Susun Weed – her blog is incredibly informative and easy to follow.
The recommended herbs for herbal infusion:
1.STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioca) – well known as “Blood Tonic and Circulatory Stimulant.” Excellent antiseptic to fight infections. Great tea for respiratory weaknesses. What’s not very well known is, that nettle contains serotonin (the happy hormone) for healthy brain function and to help to regulate the moods. Nourishes and rebuilds the adrenals, kidneys, blood vessels.
“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, silica, 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”. ~ Susun Weed
2.OATSTRAW (Avena sativa) – “Body Tonic for Vital Energy.” Excellent to strengthen immunity and build energy. It can help stabilize your thyroid function, regulate blood sugar and bath your nervous system in nutrients for health and harmony.
“reduces high cholesterol, increases libido, and strengthens the nerves. A cup of oatstraw infusion contains more than 300 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of many other minerals. Its steroidal saponins nourish the pancreas and liver, improving digestion and stabilizing moods. Oatstraw is best known however for its ability to enhance libido and mellow the mood. In Auryuvedic medicine, oatstraw is considered the finest of all longevity tonics.” ~ Susun Weed
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3.RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratense) – long history of use for respiratory infections – great for coughs, colds, bronchitis. An old-time remedy to help with eye and skin infections, including eczema and psoriasis. Works wonderfully to soothe the nerves. (I absolutely love the kind of ‘mushroomy flavour’ of this infusion)
“is a superb anti-cancer and cancer-preventative herb. I think of it as the herb of fertility, and I rely on it exclusively when students want help with conceiving. An infusion (not tea, not tincture, not capsules) of red clover blossoms, leaves, and stems are not only very high in protein, but also in macro- and trace minerals, and vitamins (except B12), it is an excellent source of phytosterols. Phytosterols are hormone-like substances found in many plants that can be bio-converted in the human gut into active anti-cancer estrogens and other helpful anti-stress hormones. Improves the memory, cleans and purifies the blood, lowers cholesterol, and enhances blood circulation.” ~ Susun Weed
4.LINDEN (Tilia) – loved by many, kids included, for its sweet delectably floral flavour with an equally alluring aroma. Linden infusion is an antioxidant cocktail well-suited to combating and ultimately neutralising free radicals. But there’s more. Not only can Linden Herbal Tea lessen your chances of experiencing cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, but also reduce anxiety and blood pressure.(source)
“is the world’s leading preventative anti-cold and anti-flu herb. It prevents and heals respiratory distresses (but is not an anti-infective). It is a cooling and strengthening herb that quells inflammation and soothes the gut and lungs. On an emotional level, Linden heals and opens the heart, aids with heartbreak, and calms a nervous stomach. As a nervine, linden helps with anxiety, depression, pain, and sleep.” ~ Susun Weed
5.RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus idaeus) – an absolute must-have tea for all ladies out there! Not only this infusion helps to tone the lower body organs and pelvic muscles, but it also relieves tension, strengthens kidneys and urinary tract. A go-to tea to prevent morning sickness. It contains a high concentration of vitamin C, presence of vitamins B and E, and easily assimilated calcium and iron.
“is the best known, most widely used, and safest of all uterine and pregnancy tonic herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.” ~ Susun Weed
So, dear health geek, are you IN on trying to make your first nourishing herbal infusion?
Let’s connect with nature the way we should.
After all, nature is here to nourish and heal us.
Back to the roots.
Back to Mother Nature.
To Your Health.
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Resources:
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 healing Herbs To Know, Grow and Use
Susun’s Weed Abundantly Well: The Complementary Integrated Medical Revolution: 6 (Wise Woman Herbal)
Victoria’s Zak 20,000 Secrets of Tea: The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature’s Healing Herbs
This information is for educational purposes only, and it is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
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