How to Prepare an Herbal Tea Infusion

An herbal tea infusion is one of the most popular home herbal remedies.

An herbal tea infusion is one of the most common methods for preparing herbal remedies. An herbal infusion is a hot-water extract prepared from the leaves, flowers and stems of medicinal herbs, notes Michael Castleman in his book "The Healing Herbs." As an herbal remedy, it can be drunk as a medicinal tea, or used as a therapeutic wash, soak, poultice or compress.

Things You'll Need

• 1 oz. dried herb (25g)
• 1 quart water
• Saucepan
• Tea infuser (optional)
• Tea strainer or muslin cloth
• Honey or stevia (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Double the amount of herbs if you use fresh instead of dried herbs.

   Measure out 1 oz. of the dried herb of your choice into a warmed teapot or pitcher. If you are using fresh herbs, then measure out double the amount, recommends Joyce A. Wardwell in "The Home Herbal Remedy Book."

2. 

   Use a glass, enamel or clay utensil to brew your herbal tea infusion in.

   Bring the water to a boil in the saucepan or kettle, and then pour it over the herbs. Cover and let the herbs steep for 10 to 20 minutes.

3. 

   Use a tea strainer or muslin cloth to strain your tea infusion.

   Strain the herbal infusion with a tea strainer or muslin cloth and discard the herb material. This formulation yields about three cups of herbal tea.

4. Sweeten your herbal infusion with a natural sweetener such as honey or stevia if desired. Alternatively, blend the tea with fruit juice or lemon.

5. Sip on one to three cups of herbal tea a day. Wardwell recommends sipping small, frequent cups of your herbal tea infusion all day long rather than gulping down each batch.

6. Keep in mind that herbal infusions do not have a long shelf life, so you should brew the tea as needed and refrigerate any leftover amount.

Tips & Warnings

• Many herbalists work with dried rather than fresh herbal material, notes Castleman, because it does not spoil as easily and is more convenient to store.

• Using an herbal tea infuser will save you the need to strain your herbal tea in Step 3.

• Always consult with a licensed health care professional before self-treating with herbal remedies.

References

• "The Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2001
• "The Home Herbal Remedy Book"; Joyce A. Wardwell; 1998
• A Short Materia Medica of Plants