How to Make Herbal Infusions or Decoctions

Herbal infusions, or herbal teas, are made by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.

    

Herbal infusions are teas made from medicinal herbs. They are different from decoctions because of the plant material used to make the infusion. Herbal infusions are made from the real part of the plant (the leaves, flowers, and stems). Decoctions are made from plant roots, rhizomes, barks, and seeds. Infusions and decoctions are made by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. The exact amount depends on the type of medicinal herb being used.

To Make an Herbal Infusion

1. Place the dried and crushed herb in a tea infuser, strainer or tea bag.
2. Boil the water and pour 1 cup of the water over the herb.
3. Cover with a lid and allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

It is important that the herb leaves, plants, and stems be covered when steeping so that the medicinal properties of the herb do not escape with the steam.

To Make an Herbal Decoction

1. In a saucepan boil 1 cup of water.
2. Add the dried and ground medicinal herb and reduce the heat to low.
3. Cover the pan and allow the herb to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

When making a decoction it is important to grind the herb finely. The finer the root, rhizome, seed or bark is chopped the more potential there is to extract the medicinal benefits from the herb.

Additional Tips

1. It is best to use filtered water in preparing infusions and decoctions.
2. Do not use a microwave to heat the water.
3. The herbal tea can be saved for several days if refrigerated.
4. You can make herbal infusions and decoctions from fresh plant material instead of dried plant material. Dried plant material is more concentrated. It takes approximately 7 teaspoons of fresh plant material for every 1 teaspoon of dried plant material discussed above.
5. Coffee grinders, spice mills, and food processors make excellent grinders for dried and fresh herbs. Mortars and pestles were traditionally used for grinding herbs.
6. If you are drying, crushing, and grinding your own herbs label everything with the contents and the date. Herbs are best if used within 6 months to a year of drying.

Peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, red clover, nettle, and dandelion are wild growing or commonly grown herbs that make excellent teas. Mints and lemon balm are very tasty and are often combined with less palatable herbs for flavor. For more information on the health benefits of these herbs consult the resources below.

Additional Resources

Preserve and Use Dandelion