Making Therapeutic Herbal Teas
How To Make Your Own Herbal Infusions, Decoctions and Broths
You can make your own therapeutic herbal infusions, decoctions and broths. It's easier than you think to make healing herbal teas.
Herbal teas are the most basic, and perhaps oldest, herbal medicines in the world. Even though herbal teas are often weaker than other herbal preparations, herbal teas are easy to prepare, comforting in times of illness and easy for the body to assimilate.
Today's herbalists make three different types of herbal teas: infusions, decoctions and broths. The type of tea an herbalist chooses to make depends mainly on the part of the plant used and knowing which preparation method to use with which herb will help maximize the healing potential of these amazing healing plants.
How to Make an Herbal Infusion
Infusions are the most common type of herbal tea and they're the simplest to make. Typically, infusions are made from the leaves, flowers and other non-woody parts of the herb. To make an infusion, add 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs, or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs, to one cup of near-boiling water and remove the pot from its heat source. Herbal infusions are never boiled because to do so destroys the delicate volatile oils. Instead, herbal infusions are steeped for 5 to 15 minutes in a covered container. After steeping the tea for the appropriate amount of time, simply strain the infusion, allow it to cool and enjoy it.
Herbs that are frequently used to make infusions include peppermint, chamomile and echinacea.
How to Make an Herbal Decoction
For herbal teas made from roots, bark or other tough, woody parts of a plant, an herbal decoction is the method of choice. To make an herbal decoction, add 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs to one cup of simmering water. Unlike infusions, which are prepared without added heat, herbal decoctions are typically simmered (but never boiled) for 15 to 30 minutes before straining. The reason for the added cooking time is that decoctions are used mainly for tougher, woodier parts of an herb and typically need a longer cooking time to release the potential healing benefits.
Herbs that are commonly used to make decoctions include ginger, licorice and cinnamon.
How to Make an Herbal Broth
Herbal broths aren't used frequently today, but in years past herbal broths were valuable sources of vitamins and minerals, especially during the long winter months when people often had little access to freshly-picked fruits and vegetables. To make an herbal broth, grind 1 tablespoon of dry herbs into a powder and add it to one cup of near-boiling water. Let the broth cool to a comfortable drinking temperature and, without straining the mixture, enjoy your fresh herbal broth and the potentially healing nutrients it provides.
In theory, any edible herb can be used to make an herbal broth but typically, herbal broths are made of herbs chosen mainly for their nutritional value. Frequently, herbal broths contain more than one herb and often contain other foods like garlic, onions or edible mushrooms.
Learning More about Healing Herbal Teas
If you would like to learn more about the potential healing power of herbs, start with Anda Powers' article, Finding Quality Herbs.
