Herbal Infusion
Kelli Armes, Herbalist
What is an Infusion?
An infusion is a strong nutritive beverage used from leaves (roots, flowers, or
seeds) of plants. An infusion is
nutritive like a tea, but with more flavor and more health benefits because it
is steeped longer and has larger amounts of herb. Generally I use about a handful of herb (about
a cup) (or mixture of herbs) in about a quart of water. I typically make my
infusions before I go to bed at night so they can steep for a long time. (I like them to steep at least 4 hours, but
preferably longer).
I do not take vitamins, personally, so this is what I use
for my mineral and vitamins along with a healthy diet of organic meats, fruits
and vegetables (and healthy fats).
Some infusions you
may want to consider are:
It is a great idea to use a few nourishing herbs for your
infusion recipe, or to rotate the herbs you use each day. For example, Monday
you may use Nettles, Tuesday Alfalfa, Wednesday Red Clover, and so on. This is
your choice! Be creative, just make sure you know your herbs well before using.
And if you foraging and dry your herbs, please make sure you know your plant ID
very well, use ethical wildcrafting and dry your herbs properly (if you are not
familiar with these guidelines please purchase your herbs until you are, find a
local person who can teach you or research yourself please). I prefer to grow my own herbs for this use,
because of the volume of herbs needed. I also use an Excalibur Food dehydrator
to dry my herbs.
Here are some of the herbs I use personally, but you can use
what you like and what works for you.
Nettle, Alfalfa, Red Cover, Oat Straw, Red Raspberry Leaf,
Lemon Balm, Dandelion leaf, Horsetail Leaf (small amounts in my mixture, Hibiscus
(small amounts also in my mixture) 1/8-1/4 of a part.
What Tools will I
need? A coffee press, herbs and hot
water (like you are making tea-just to boiling water). You can also use a Mason
jar you will then need a strainer, and cheesecloth to strain. The last and most
important thing you will need it a smile! This is important NEVER make food or
herbal medicines with angry or negative energy. So get rid of the day’s crud
before you brew! J
To prepare: take 6 tablespoons of a dried herb (or a blend
of herbs*) and place in a coffee press (some people use 1/2 ounce, some 1 ounce
of herb). Pour hot (hint: use a tea
kettle) water over the herb and let steep for 4-6 hours or preferable
overnight. Press down and enjoy within 24 hours (preferable at room
temperature).
*Please note to start I only use 1 plant at a time. That way
should you have a idiosyncratic reaction you will know what plant cause
it. Then after you are familiar with
each plant you can mix if you like. I
like a coffee press because it is just easier in the morning for me personally.
You can start out with a smaller amount of herb until you
get comfortable then you can increase it, if you like. I use a handful of herb,
personally J
Further Information can be found at:
