Medicinal Infusions 101

When you hear the word tea, a lot of different drinks can come to mind. Perhaps you think of the Camellia genus: black, green, white, or oolong brews. Maybe you think of yerba mate or rooibos. If you’re visiting this website, there’s a good chance you’ll think of chamomile, nettles, dandelion leaf, mullein or many of the hundreds of medicinal herbs out there. The common thread with these types of tea is that you steep plant material in water for some period of time to extract the phytochemicals for drinking or topical applications. I would also consider a decoction to be tea. Infusions differ from decoctions in that an infusion may be steeped cold or hot water poured over the herb whereas decoctions must be simmered to extract their constituents. Typically you make infusions out of aerial parts such as leaves, stems, softer roots (like ginger or licorice) and flowering tops. Decoctions are useful when you need to extract phytochemicals from roots or bark which take more time and energy to break down.

This article will focus on infusions, specifically medicinal infusions that differ from beverage teas. Typically, beverage teas are intended for a pleasant drinking experience alone. Medicinally brewed tea is going to have a higher dose of herbs per cup and is infused with healing intentions in mind. If the medicinal infusion is brewed well, it is also a pleasant drinking experience! It’s important to know that “medicinal” does not inherently mean “tastes bad”. It is also worth noting that even beverage teas like Camellia in all her forms and yerba mate also have their own medicinal actions. It’s all about how you brew it!

When possible, I would recommend sourcing your herbs from local organic growers in your area or responsibly foraging the herbs out in areas not tainted by pesticides and herbicides, roadside runoff, animal waste or otherwise contaminated soils. For many people, this is not possible. In that case, I would recommend sourcing herbs from regionally local online sellers. I buy most of my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and Oshala Farm since they are based in Oregon, organic, and take good care of their people and the planet. As an act of care to our mother earth, always reduce carbon emissions when possible. Try for hyperlocal herbs at your farmers market, grocery store or in your backyard. The next best option is ordering locally within your region. Working with herbs native to your region or continent is going to impact the environment less than ordering from overseas. Not to mention it will be cheaper! You do not need to work with particularly exotic herbs in your practice. Blueberries, cranberries and hawthorn can pull just as much weight as acai and goji!

Here is the part where I tell you that I am not a doctor and I can’t and do not want to dispense medical advise or cure or treat any diseases. I am an herbalist, but I am not your herbalist. I do not know your particular body or situation so I cannot advise you on what is best for your body. I will always leave notes about herb safety when relevant, but at the end of the day, your health is your own responsibility. It is important to understand what you are consuming and listen to your body when working with plant medicine. Make sure to communicate with the healthcare professionals in your life about the herbs and supplements you are working with. Allopathic professionals often do not have a good understanding of herbs or their actions. If you are unsure about the safety of an herb, consult a reputable clinical herbalist or reach out to me via my contact form and I can provide support.

• Electric Kettle or a pot to boil water in

• 1 quart of water

• French Press

  • Alternately a 1 quart mason jar and a mesh tool or cloth bag for straining the tea

• 2-4 tablespoon of an herb or herbal blend of your choosing

• Your favorite mug!

• Optional:

  • Sweetener (honey, sugar, stevia)

  • Spoon to stir

For hot infusions:

1. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil.

2. Add your herbal blend into your vessel.

3. Pour boiling water over the herbs and stir to increase extraction.

4. Cover to trap any volatile oils and steep for anywhere between 15 minutes and 8 hours. Steeping for a short period of time (ex: 15 minutes) lends to a less strong blend and you may not get the most out of your herbs. Steeping for 30 minutes to an hour is typically what I aim for with most of my herbs. For mineral rich infusions such as seaweed, nettles or red clover, steep for 8+ hours, ideally in the fridge. If you are seeking to extract polysaccharides like those in marshmallow or linden, allow the tea to cool and steep for 4+ hours.

5. Strain and enjoy hot or cold!

6. Consider brewing the strained material a second time to extract all the plants have to offer. Not only are you getting the most bang for your buck, but you are also honoring the life of the plant by not wasting any part of it. Compost leftover herbal materials if possible.

For cold infusions:

1. Add your herbal blend to the vessel of your choice

2. Pour over 1 quart of cool water, or boiling water to extract a wider range of phytochemicals.

3. Steep overnight or during the work day, at least 4 hours. I would recommend 8-10 hours for maximum potency.

4. Strain and enjoy hot or cold!

5. Consider brewing the strained material a second time to extract all the plants have to offer. Not only are you getting the most bang for your buck, but you are also honoring the life of the plant by not wasting any part of it. Compost leftover herbal materials if possible.

Intention is an important part of herbal medicine. When we are working with plants as our guides, we need to attune ourselves to their wavelengths and listen to what they have to offer. This requires us to slow down and ask ourselves what we are trying to accomplish by establishing a relationship with an herb. Here are some ways to move with intention as you craft your brew:

• While your kettle boils, imagine the state of being you are seeking by working with an herb or formula. What symptoms are you hoping to relieve? How would you like to feel as you drink this tea? Focusing on your goals as you blend, brew and drink your tea is part of the medicine.

• If you have animist tendencies, consider calling to the spirit of the plants you are working with. Greet them individually, tell them of what vexes you, and politely ask for their aid in working through your issues. You can speak aloud or in your head and be as vague or as specific as you feel fit. I like to ask plants for aid with their specialties, for example calling on lemon balm to cool me down and release the emotional heat in a moment of frustration.

• As you stir your herbs into the water, you may choose to stir clockwise with the intention of drawing in prosperity, well being, luck or whatever it is that you need to bring into your life. Stir counterclockwise to represent the banishment of ill health, negative patterns, emotional hardship and other presences in your life that you could do without. It can help to speak aloud what you are drawing in or banishing.

• Take a few moments to sit with your tea and meditate. Focus on how it tastes, looks, smells… feel the temperature of your vessel and watch the steam rise. Allow yourself to get lost in your tea. Inhale deeply, and exhale slowly. Being present with these herbs is a medicine all it’s own.

the ritual