Nourishing herbal infusions,
Decoctions, Teas, and Tonics

You can make herbal capsules with gelatin capsules and grinding the herbs into powder to fill then or buy the filled capsules at the health store. But you can make nourishing infusions, decoctions, teas and tinctures and drink them or add herbs to your food. The herb just seems to do better to me. You don't have to swallow pills which works great for me as I have always had a hard time swallowing pills. Try it and see what you think.

What is the difference between nourishing herbal infusions, decoctions, and teas?

Nourishing herbal infusions and tea are both made out of the softer parts of the herb that grows above the ground – the stems, leaves and flowers and do not need to be cooked.

Nourishing infusions are not the same thing as tea. You drink an infusion to add nutrients to your diet instead of taking supplements. Once you make one and taste it you will know the difference. You can drink a cup of tea anytime you want – or maybe chamomile when your want to wind down and get ready for bed, peppermint to calm your stomach, or lemon ginger when coming down with a cold.

Decoctions are similar to infusions except that it uses the tough parts of the herb – bark, roots and dry berries and you have to simmer them.

The following preparations are using dried herbs if you use fresh herbs you will need to double the amount.

Nourishing Herbal Infusions

A nourishing herbal infusion is really quite easy to make and a good way to add nutrients into your diet. The following is one way to make it.
Take a quart jar (like a canning jar) and lid (see if you can find the plastic ones).
Figure out which herb you want to use, find the one that has the nutrients that you want to add to your diet. You could also use a blend of herbs.
Put on some water to boil
Take 1 oz of dried herbs (use ½ oz in the beginning if you want until you get used to it) and put it in the quart jar.
Pour the boiling water over the herbs in the jar and stir the herbs into the water.
Put the lid on and let it set for 4 hours or overnight.
Take a strainer and put it on top of another jar (or a bowl if you want- I find the bowl holds the strainer better but it will depend on your strainer) and pour the infusion into the jar catching the herbs in the strainer. (put the herbs in your compost pile)
Your infusion is done. Drink it to get your nutrients. If you don not drink the whole quart, put it in the refrigerator. Use within a day or two.
If you want you can add a little honey or pinch of mint for taste but it is not needed – that is totally up to you.
A good habit is to make your infusion each night and let it steep then in the morning you can drink it for your daily nutrients.

I mix nettle and oatstraw together most the time, but change it everyonce in a while.

Herbal Decoctions

Decoctions are similar to Nourishing Infusions you drink them for their nutrients. The only different is the part of the plant you use (bark, roots, or dried berries) and the way you make it (you cook it).< Br>
First figure out which herb you want to use, find the one that has the nutrients that you want to add to your diet. You could also use a blend of herbs.

Put 2 cups water in a saucepan
Add a tablespoon or two of dried herbs
Bring to a boil, cover the pan (to keep the water from evaporating and to not lose the potency of the herb
Lower heat and simmer 20-30 minutes (keep a watch on it to make sure the water does not simmer away)
Remove from heat
If you want to use the decoction immediately, put a strainer over a cup or mug and pour through the strainer to catch the herb pieces
If you want to use store it for later use, allow it to cool with the lid on, then strain into a jar and put the lid on it and put it in the refrigerator.
Use within a day or two.

Tea

Most everyone knows what tea is, so no need to explain it. You can use purchased tea bags or bulk loose tea leaves. Usually we have a cup of tea, just because we want a cup of tea. Sometimes we may want a cup a tea to help with a condition if that is the case we just need to
First figure out which herb you want to use for the discomfort (maybe peppermint for a upset stomach or chamomile to help you sleep)
Then put 1 to 3 teaspoons loose tea (or tea bag) in the teapot or cup/mug
Pour 1 cup boiling water over the herbs or tea bag
Put the lid on the teapot or a plate over the cup/mug
Let steep for 10 to 20 minutes
If loose herbs are used use a strainer to strain out the herb leaves
When making tea you usually drink it right away, if not (or if you made extra) either put it in a thermos to keep it hot to enjoy a little later or put in a jar and keep in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Herbal Tonic Wine

If you drink wine than you may like tonic wine and they are easy to make with bought wine. You can use it by drinking a small glass before dinner.
First decide which herb you would like to use (try dried roots like ginseng or angelica)
Buy 1 liter of red wine
Put 3 ounces of dried herb in a ceramic jar
Pour the wine over the herb making sure that the wine completely covers the herb
Steep for at least 2 weeks
Strain and use as needed
Can be stored for up to four months, if mold forms throw away.

Both the following places have a huge selection of dried herbs and teas: Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs or More Than Alive Bulk Herbs. If you want a blend but don’t want to get all the individual ones and mix your own. More Than Alive has a daily nourishment blend that is chamomile flowers, nettle leaves, oatstraw and red clover blossoms find it in their Bulk Herb Blends and Teas.

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