Creating a Kitchen Pharmacy: How to Prepare Medicinal Teas

 

The art of tea making has been prized for many thousands of years. In fact, it is one of the most common methods for the consumption of medicinal herbs.
It’s a simple process that requires simple tools. So long as you have…

• boiling water
• a pot, cup, or jar
• herbs

…you have a very safe and effective healing remedy.
Herbal teas can be prepared either through infusion or decoction based on the delicacy of the plant material.
Infusions
Creating an herbal infusion involves pouring boiling water over parts of the plant such as leaves, flowers, and stems then allowing the infusion to steep for 10 to 45 minutes (The longer the steeping time the more beneficial components of the herbs are released into the water). Note: Cover the jar, bowl, or cup while steeping to avoid the loss of medicinal properties from evaporation.

As with oil infusions (we’ll talk more about this next post in the series), you may also create an herbal water infusion by using solar or cold infusion methods. In order to do so, combine the herbs and room temperature water in a glass jar. For a solar infusion, place the covered jar in a sunny location and allow to steep for 2-8 hours. And for a cold infusion, you can simply leave the jar in the refrigerator to steep overnight then strain in the morning.
Herbal infusions can be prepared in larger quantities and refrigerated (up to 3 days) for convenience and ease of use during times of illness.

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