how to make herbal Tea infusions for use in cooking, remedies & skin care
Herbal tea infusions or decoctions are the most common form of taking herbs. Herbal teas are a very good place to start if you are new to herbal remedies, but are an invaluable addition to the natural health & beauty kit for both novices and more experienced enthusiasts. Herbal teas, or tisanes, are simple, quick to prepare, delicious, and provide numerous culinary, medicinal and skin care benefits. There are many wonderful herbal teas available in shops and supermarkets but making your own from cupboard spices, fresh or dried herbs & flowers from your garden, or wild harvested plants enables you to create your own special blends for natural health & beauty.
Top Tips for infusions/decoctions:
Top Tips for infusions/decoctions:
- Teapots or stainless steel saucepans are the best for making herbal teas. Never use a aluminium or copper pans as the metals can react with and taint the brew.
- Medicinal blends (i.e for a throat gargle) may benefit from a double strength infusion
- For decoctions, dried herbs should be ground into powder, soaked for 1-2 hours and then boiled for 15-20 minutes.
- Herbal tea blends contain many beneficial properties for natural beauty. They can be used as relaxing 'bath teas', soothing skin cleansers, and gentle facial toners. Just add oats, honey, powdered milk or vinegar, according to your recipe.
Basic Hot infusion: (fresh or dried leaves, flowers, stems)
250 ml (1 cup) of water (just boiled)
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs/flowers/spices
Place herbs in a tea pot, pour the water over the herbs, and steep. If being used medicinally, blends are best left to steep for 10-20 minutes, and taken 1-3 times daily. For a double strength blend to be used for a gargle, use 4 tsp fresh or 2 tsp dried herb, and leave the infused herb mixture to cool before use.
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs/flowers/spices
Place herbs in a tea pot, pour the water over the herbs, and steep. If being used medicinally, blends are best left to steep for 10-20 minutes, and taken 1-3 times daily. For a double strength blend to be used for a gargle, use 4 tsp fresh or 2 tsp dried herb, and leave the infused herb mixture to cool before use.
Basic Cold Infusion: (fresh or dried leaves, flowers, stems)
250 ml (1 cup) water
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs/flowers/spices
Put the water and herbs in a teapot or stainless steel saucepan, cover with a lid or cling film, leave overnight to soak, strain.
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs/flowers/spices
Put the water and herbs in a teapot or stainless steel saucepan, cover with a lid or cling film, leave overnight to soak, strain.
BASIC decoction: (seeds, bark, roots, resins)
250 ml (1 cup) cold water
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs
Put the water and herbs in a non aluminium or copper saucepan, cover with a lid and leave to soak for a few hours, off the heat. Put the pan on heat, bring to the boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain.
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herbs
Put the water and herbs in a non aluminium or copper saucepan, cover with a lid and leave to soak for a few hours, off the heat. Put the pan on heat, bring to the boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain.
herb & flower bath blends
The healing properties of herbs, flowers & spices are a wonderful addition to therapeutic bath blends. Simply pick your favourite method and add your chosen botanicals.
- Make an infusion or decoction (as above) and add to your bath water.
- Add dry herbal ingredients to 1-2 Tablespoons of oats. Wrap the herb/oat mixture in a piece of muslin, tie and add to your bath.
- Add dry ingredients with or without oats, to a jar of sea salt, epson salt, dead sea salt. For a gentle soak, add granulated sugar in place of salt.
Important consideration & cautions:
Although botanicals (herbs, spices, plants) are considered safe for most people when used in cooking or in small amounts, inappropriate use of some of these botanicals could be dangerous. The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Prior to using any botanicals in recipes or remedies, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, or a qualified herbalist.
Although botanicals (herbs, spices, plants) are considered safe for most people when used in cooking or in small amounts, inappropriate use of some of these botanicals could be dangerous. The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Prior to using any botanicals in recipes or remedies, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, or a qualified herbalist.