How to make herbal infusions

Infusions are basically a type of tea.

Instead of tea leaves, you use fresh or dried herbs.

You can use hot or cold water, which are called hot infusions and cold infusions.

Infusions are most suitable for the ‘lighter’ parts of herbs. This means parts that hot water can extract the goodness easily, like leaves and flowers.

Roots, seeds and barks need longer preparations which you will read about in the decoctions section.

Hot infusions

Use 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 2 teaspoons of bruised fresh herb to one cup (150-200 ml) boiling water.

Place the herb in a cup or teapot, and then cover with the boiling water. If possible, swill a little hot water around the cup or teapot before you put the herb in to heat it up first.

If using a cup to make your infusion, place a small plate over the cup to trap in the ‘goodness’. Aromatic essential oils can escape during the brewing process. It will taste better, and be more effective, if these phytochemicals have been trapped and drip back into the cup.

Leave to brew for 15-20 minutes. Drink and 2-3 times a day.

Strong infusions (using 2-3 times more herb can be made to create gargles, washes and baths).

Overnight infusions
This method extracts things like minerals in herbs such as nettle (Urtica dioica), oatstraw (Avena sativa) and red clover (Trifolium pratense)

This is exactly the same as making a hot infusion. Simply place the herb in your cup or teapot, pour over the boiling water and then leave overnight. In the morning, strain and drink.

Cold infusions

This is another traditional preparation that takes a little longer.

This works best for fresh herbs when we want to extract things like cleavers (Galium aparine) and dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale. It also extracts mucilages (gloopy, cooling, anti-inflammatory substances) from fresh or dried herbs/roots found in things like marshmallow root (Althea sp.) and psyllium husk.

Method:

• Steep 4 tablespoons of crushed, fresh herb in 1 pint of cold water overnight. Strain and press before drinking. 

• Alternatively, blend the whole lot together for an instant cold infusion.

  
  

How to make decoctions

Decoctions can be found on the next page, click on the button below to read more.