Nourishing herbal infusions are one of the simplest herbal preparations you can make at home. They are similar to herbal tea, but use more plant material and a much longer steeping time.
You can prepare an infusion before bed, strain it the next morning, and drink it throughout the day. All you need is a dried herb, boiling water, and a little patience.
What is a nourishing herbal infusion?
Most herbal teas steep for 5 to 15 minutes. A nourishing herbal infusion usually steeps for 4 to 8 hours.
The longer steeping time produces a darker, richer, and more full bodied drink. This method works especially well with sturdy dried leaves and stems that release their constituents gradually over time.
Not every herb needs such a long steep. Delicate, aromatic herbs such as peppermint and lemon balm are generally better prepared as a shorter tea. Roots, bark, and hard seeds may require a simmered preparation called a decoction.
Choosing your first herb
When you're beginning, choose one herb at a time. This allows you to become familiar with its color, aroma, flavor, and character before exploring blends.
Some common choices include:
- Nettle leaf, with its rich, earthy flavor and naturally mineral-rich profile.
- Raspberry leaf, with a full-bodied, slightly tannic flavor.
- Oatstraw, which is mild, grassy, and traditionally valued as a nourishing tonic.
- Red clover blossoms, which have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are often included in nourishing infusions.
- Marshmallow root, which is exceptionally moistening and is often prepared as a cold infusion rather than a hot one.
- Hibiscus, which creates a vibrant ruby-colored infusion with a bright, tart flavor.
Choose the herb that appeals to you most and enjoy getting to know it before moving on to another.
What you’ll need
- One ounce of dried herb
- One quart of freshly boiled water
- A heat safe quart jar or covered vessel
- A fine mesh strainer
- A digital kitchen scale
Directions
- Weigh one ounce of dried herb and place it in your jar.
- Pour freshly boiled water over the herb until the jar is nearly full.
- Stir gently to make sure all of the herb is wet.
- If you are using herbs that are rich in minerals, add a small splash of apple cider vinegar.
- Cover the jar.
- Allow the infusion to steep for 4 to 8 hours, or overnight.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
- Press the wet herbs gently with the back of a spoon to recover the remaining liquid.
- Drink the infusion warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
- Refrigerate anything you are not drinking immediately and use it within 3 days.
Why weighing matters
Herbs vary considerably in size and density. A cup of red clover blossoms does not weigh the same as a cup of finely cut nettle.
Using a kitchen scale helps make your preparations more consistent. If one ounce creates an infusion that is stronger than you enjoy, simply use half an ounce the next time or dilute the finished infusion with water.
Don't have a kitchen scale? Don't let that stop you from trying a nourishing infusion. Fill your jar about one-quarter to one-third full with dried herb, make a note of how you prepared it, and adjust the amount the next time based on your taste. A kitchen scale simply makes it easier to repeat the results you enjoy.
A note about mineral rich herbs
Herbs that are rich in minerals, such as nettle, oatstraw, and red clover, are especially well suited for nourishing infusions. When preparing these herbs, add a small splash of apple cider vinegar before covering the jar. The mild acidity may help make some minerals more soluble, allowing more of them to be drawn into the water during the long steep.
You do not need much. A small splash is enough, although you can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
If your infusion does not taste quite right
It tastes too strong
Dilute the finished infusion with water or use less herb next time.
It tastes too bitter
Shorten the steeping time. Some herbs become increasingly bitter the longer they sit, and some are simply better suited to a shorter tea.
It tastes weak
Weigh the herb, keep the jar covered, and make sure your dried herb still has good color and aroma.
You do not enjoy the flavor
Try a different herb.
You do not have to force yourself to drink something simply because it is considered beneficial. There are many herbs to choose from, and finding the ones you genuinely enjoy makes it easier to maintain the practice.
A simple daily rhythm
One of the easiest ways to make herbal infusions part of your routine is to prepare them in the evening.
Place the herb and water in your jar while you are cleaning the kitchen. Let it steep overnight, strain it in the morning, and refrigerate what you plan to drink later.
Once you find a rhythm that works for you, making an infusion becomes as familiar as preparing your morning coffee or tea.
From The Herbal Hearth: Herbal preparation does not have to be complicated. Begin with one herb, pay attention to what you notice, and allow your knowledge to grow through experience.
A note about herbal safety
This article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Herbs can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take prescription medications, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs.