How To Prepare Herbal Teas

Sometimes you may determine that the best way for you to take your herbs is by making tea.

Herbal teas come in a variety of forms due to the various plants and plant parts that are a part of our formulas. This post can serve as a quick reference guide for you to refresh your memory on how to prepare your herbal teas and get the most out of them.

There are two main ways that herbal teas can be prepared: infusions and decoctions.

Infusions call for leaves, flowers, delicate stems, finely shredded barks and roots, aromatic plant parts, and crushed seeds.

Decoctions call for the heartier, tougher, plant parts such as roots, bark, berries, seeds, and stems.

Avoid using a microwave.

Avoid using aluminum cookware and choose stainless steel or other non-reactive cookware.

Medicinal infusions are used for some therapeutic use such as promoting sleep, balancing blood sugar, relieving a cold or flu, etc.

Steep one tablespoon of herbs in hot water for 15 to 30 minutes. Strain and enjoy.

Steep four to six tablespoons of herbs in one quart of hot water for 15-60 minutes. Strain, and drink through the day.

Nutritive infusions are for use when using nutritive herbs, ie, herbs that are very high in and being used for their nutritive compounds.

Steep four to six tablespoons of herbs (you can use up to one ounce of nutritive herbs) in one quart of hot water for a minimum of 60 minutes. This can steep overnight.

Strain, and then drink throughout the day.

The cold infusion technique is for use with herbs that are high in certain compounds that are negatively affected by heat.

Steep one tablespoon of herbs in cool water for 60 minutes or as long as overnight. Strain.

Steep four to six tablespoons of herbs in one quart of cool water for 60 minutes or as long as overnight. Strain, and drink throughout the day.

Decoctions are used to extract herbal constituents from tough plant parts.

Simmer one tablespoon of herbs in 12 oz. of water for 15 to 30 minutes over low heat in a non-aluminum pot. Keep covered but be sure to keep an eye on water levels. Strain and drink.

Steep four to six tablespoons of herbs in one quart of water for 15 to 30 minutes over low heat in a non-aluminum pot. Keep covered, but be sure to keep an eye on water levels. Strain and drink throughout the day.

Strong decoctions are used when a higher concentration of herbal constituents is desired for extraction from the using the toughest of plant parts.

Simmer one ounce of herbs in 16 oz. of water for 15 to 30 minutes over low heat in a non-aluminum pot. Keep covered. Strain and drink.

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