North Carolina Prepper Network

One of the first questions Herbal students ask is for the clarification between teas, infusions and decoctions. I thought now might be a good time to go into each so there is a solid understanding in making Herbal preparations.

Teas

Everyone is familiar with teas that come in tea bags from the grocery store, these are premeasured and ready to use. Brewing loose tea is just as easy with tea spoons, balls and strainers. You can even fill your own disposable or reusable bags. These products are available at most health food stores or on the net. A variety of tea supplies can be found here http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/tea_tool/tea_tool.html as well as quality teas.

Teas are primarily for relaxation and enjoyment, there is little benefit from the properties found in the herbals used to make the tea because of the brewing time. Generally speaking, teas are made from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of leaves and flowers steeped in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Never boil the herb in the water for teas; pour the hot water over the herb.

That is not to say that a cup of ‘sleepy’ tea won’t work, teas do give to relaxing which helps promote a good night’s sleep. All teas give a small benefit, just not the benefit of a tea brewed for 20 minutes or an Infusion tea.

There are teas that do use roots, berries and barks which are usually brewed or steeped covered up to 20 minutes. These teas are used as boosters for the immune system or as cough suppressants or expectorants. Steeping covered for 20 minutes allows more of the volatile oils to be released into the tea.

Ginger is a good example of using roots in teas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3YSjw2Nw-w&feature=related

Infusions

Infusions are teas that are steeped from 4 hours to overnight. Infusions use leaves, flowers, berries, roots or bark. The longer brewing time allows the nutrition and healing properties to be released into the tea.

A general rule is to use an ounce of herb to a quart jar and add boiled water. Allow to set covered for several hours. Infusions can be used on a daily basis for a period of time depending on the ailment it is being used to treat.

Roots/barks: 1oz herb to a pint of boiled water for a minimum of 8 hours

Leaves: 1 oz herb to a quart of boiled water for a minimum of 4 hours

Flowers: 1oz herb to a quart of boiled eater for a minimum of 2 hours

Seeds/berries: 1 oz herb to a pint of boiled water for a minimum of 30 minutes

A good example in the difference in a tea and an infusion is seen in nettles. A cup of nettle tea, for instance, contains only 5-10 mg of calcium, while a cup of nettle infusion contains up to 500 mg of calcium.

Infusions are very nourishing. Think of herbs not only as healing, but as a food. Herbs are chocked full of vitamins and minerals. Herbs should be in your daily diet and an infusion tea is a great way to get all the vitamins and minerals into your system. You can add infused teas to soups and stews as part of the broth or make the infusion using vinegar or honey in place of water.

I will add a caution here. You need to be familiar with the herbs used. Some herbs are very potent and should not be used on a continuously. Get to know the herbs and what they offer.

It is best to use one infused tea at a time. Using one herb at a time you will learn how that infused tea works. If you have a mixture of teas it is hard to tell what herb is doing the healing. Drink 2-4 cups a day of the infused tea, refrigerating the tea to slow spoilage

When my kidneys act up I will do a Dandelion infused tea for two weeks. On the third week I will use a Red Clover infused tea. The Red Clover helps clean the blood and aids in the healing process. On the forth week I will do another Dandelion infused tea.

Healing with herbs is not an overnight miracle cure. Most herbs do not work at destroying the ailment, but work at restoring the natural body functions so it can heal itself. Yes, various herbs kill bacteria and yeast. I can not stress enough the importance of knowing your herbs. When using one herb to kill bacteria be sure to alternate with an immune builder to rebuild the cells that have been attacked or coated with bacteria.

Infusions using alcohol such as Everclear or Vodka usually brew/steep for several weeks. The same rule is used when making an infused oil, vinegar or honey. Infusions made with alcohol are usually done for use as tinctures and infusion in oils for use in other preparations such as salves, creams and lotions. Herbs infused in vinegar and honey are usually used as food.

Decoctions

A decoction is an herbal preparation made by simmering plant material in water until the water is reduced by half. A general rule for making decoctions is to use 1 ounce of plant material for each pint of water. Decoctions have a very short life span. It is best to use the decoction right away although you can refrigerate it for a day.

A decoction can be used when you need immediate relief such as in a poultice. Often when I have a cold I will make a decoction with lots of honey to ease the coughing. You can also make a decoction and add it to your bath water.

Bring your herb and water to a boil and immediately reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes covered to retain all the volatile oils and salts. You do not want to continue boiling as it may kill off some of the beneficial nutrients. Remove from heat so boiling does not continue until heating element has cooled enough to give a very slow simmer.

Decoctions are generally made from the more woody type herbs and roots. I do use decoctions of leaves when making horehound drops for colds. I will have an infusion ready and add the decoction to it to give an added kick.

There is no hard fast rule in using decoctions, Just keep in mind decoctions are for immediate use. If ingesting, do not use continually as the oils and salts are much stronger than in an infusion. Decoctions are great for strains/ sprains using the decoction hot in a poultice.