Making Herbal Teas

Making Herbal Tea

While water is boiling, measure tea into a teapot or vessel for steeping. Measure about 1 TBSP of garbled dry herbs for each cup of hot water. Once the water is at about 210 F pour over the herbs and steep with a lid on. You can preheat your cup with any extra hot water or set it on the wood stove for a couple of minutes to heat up, but don’t let it set for too long! 

Steeping time for herbs

5 minutes for teas with a lot of flower petals (ex. chamomile)

5–10 minutes for blends with more tender leafy herbs (ex. mint)

5-10 minutes for seeds (ex. CCF tea)

15–30 minutes for chopped or grated roots (ex. ginger turmeric blends)

Hot and Cold Infusions

COLD

Demulcent herbs are best extracted into cold water. These infusions become silky after a 4-8 hour cold steep. They are generally healing to inflamed irritated tissues. Pour room temperature water over plant material, 1 TBSP plant material to each cup of water. Steep in the refrigerator or a cool place. This blend is very healing to the gut and is a soothing way to start the day. 

EX Marshmallow Root, Oat Tops, and Chamomile

HOT

This method of infusion is best at extracting vitamin rich herbs. Use a heaping TBSP of dried herbs to each cup of hot water. Heat water to 120 F and pour over plants. Steep with lid on for 20 minutes to 4 hours. 

EX Nettle, Red Clover, and Alfalfa

Decoctions

A decoction is different from a tea because the ingredients are simmered in the water for a long time rather than steeping in water after it has boiled or is cold. This is the best method for extracting the benefits of roots, barks, medicinal mushrooms, and seeds. 

My favorite example of a decoction is mushroom chai. You can make a large batch and keep the base in the fridge for a couple of days. Then, to prepare, heat enough for your cup and add a little milk and sweetener of your choice.

Fresh Ginger sliced 

Cinnamon Sticks

Cracked Cardamom pods

Dried Chaga

Dried Reishi

Dandelion Root

Coriander

Black Peppercorns

Cloves

Astragalus

Star Anise Pods

About 2 TBSP ingredients per cup of water 

You can be creative with proportions and little extras of your favorite flavors. I recommend going heavy on the ginger, black pepper, and cardamom then adding a little of each of the other ingredients. Simmer on low with lid on until it has cooked down about a third. Strain and enjoy!