Nourishing Herbal Infusions

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Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« on: June 04, 2009, 07:37:18 PM » by Kitty

We've been discussing these on a thread about natural energy boosts for a postpartum, nursing mom. And we're starting to hijack it... Roll Eyes

"A(n) [Nourishing Herbal] infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinking 2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions."

"It's easier to begin by talking about teas. Infusions differ from teas in this way: a tea is made from a small amount of herb (dry or fresh), boiling water, steeped for a few minutes. You get tannins, essential oils, some alkaloids like theine from black tea. Teas are often great tasting; peppermint tea can settle your stomach, lemon balm tea (fresh leaves best) helps with depression, the astringency of the tannins is pleasant and often helps settle the stomach, ginger tea helps with nausea. Teas are great, but they are not infusions.

An infusion is made from a lot of herb (always dry), boiling water and is steeped several hours. You get all of the abovementioned plus mineral salts. These mineral salts are bio-available in wonderful profusion and good balance. Dry herbs are used because drying the plant breaks the cell wall. When the boiling water is poured over them the weakened cell walls open and the mineral salts inside the cells come into the infusion. I always use organic plants, as many medicinal herbs are grown in Eastern Europe where the soil is highly chemicalized."

"Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs when making my nourishing herbal infusion?

No. The herbs I use for my nourishing herbal infusions - such as nettle, oatstraw, red clover, comfrey leaf, linden flowers, chickweed, or mullein leaves - contain little or no volatiles to be lost in drying. Rather, drying liberates their minerals and other nourishing constituents."

-Susun Weed, Marie Summerwood

http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
http://www.botanical.com/site/column_susun/susun_infusions.html
http://www.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/march04/anti-cancer.htm

I made my 1st one and drank it today (Nettles). I don't like green tasting drinks, but this wasn't bad...even unsweetened. Baby liked it, too.

RRL is steeping now for tomorrow. Going to try Red Clover and Oatstraw, too.

It's advised to try one herb at a time...RB has good stuff on this. Ridgerunner, too. Wink

« Last Edit: June 05, 2009, 10:39:57 AM by Yooper »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 07:39:56 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: RB on June 04, 2009, 01:16:29 PM

Quote from: ridgerunner on June 04, 2009, 12:36:42 PM

Quote from: RB on June 02, 2009, 12:15:43 PM

I'm learning about nourishing herbal infusions!! I love drinking Nettle and Oatstraw infusions!

An infusion is one ounce of herbs by weight in a quart jar, you then fill the jar up with hot water, put a lid on it, and let it steep for 4 hours to overnight. There you have an inexpensive all natural vitamin and mineral supplement! Drinking Nettle infusions is said to increase and enrich mother's milk within two weeks!!

Here are some videos of Susan Weed making nourishing herbal infusions! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKpe_YGUUw&feature=channel_page

Blessing's,
RB

PS. I have a friend who started drinking nettle infusions and she finally has a happy calm baby!!!!! We will post her testimony sometime when she comes to visit me.

Interesting... I've always read that stinging nettles are a natural anti-histamine. I use a stinging nettle tincture for allergies and insomnia, every time I take it I immediately get sleepy.

Tinctures (alcohol) extract the medicinal (poisonous) properties of plants. Certain herbal alkaloids and resins are extractable only into alcohol, not water. Nourishing factors found in herbs, such as vitamins and minerals, are poorly extracted into a alcohol tincture , but are extracted in water, like an infusion.

Blessing's,
RB

« Last Edit: June 04, 2009, 08:40:51 PM by Yooper »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 07:40:42 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: RB on June 04, 2009, 07:14:59 PM

The Nourishing herbal infusions e-book I have, says to only try one Nourishing herb at a time, that way you can tell which ones are the best choice for you.

Just a caution concerning herbs, exspecially if using such a large amount like an infusion . Many practices in the commercial herb trade are appalling! You can find more information about this on Dr. Schultz website, and by doing a google search.
I buy mine here:
http://www.pacificbotanicals.com/

Blessing's,
RB

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 08:06:16 PM » by RB

Thanks, yooper! Grin

Great idea to start this thread!

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2009, 12:16:40 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Hmmm. I wonder if you could freeze fresh herbs and then make an infusion with them.

Freezing also bursts cell walls. I freeze my fresh basil, and it is full flavor in stews all winter long, but the texture is shot because of the freezing.

I bet fresh frozen infusions would be a lot stronger. I think I read that about 30% of the potency is lost in drying. Wonder if anything is lost or damaged with freezing?

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2009, 07:05:50 AM » by RB

I bought some Nettle plants at a greenhouse, and I may just try that for next year. Maybe add just enough water to blend the Nettles and then freeze, to add to stews etc.

My Nettles are already blooming, and read somewhere to harvest Nettles before it blooms, can't think where now?? Alright, I found it in one of my herb books called: From Earth to Herbalist, by Gregory L. Tilford. This is what he says about harvesting Nettles: Gather nettle before it begins to boom in early spring. Once it begins to bloom, the leaves develop cystoliths-gritty particles that can irritate the kidneys.

I too wonder how frozen herbs (nutrient content) compare to dried?

I'm too busy to start posting on WTM again! Roll Eyes

« Last Edit: June 05, 2009, 07:10:46 AM by RB »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2009, 10:17:33 AM » by daisey

Quote from: Yooper on June 04, 2009, 07:39:56 PM

Quote from: RB on June 04, 2009, 01:16:29 PM

Quote from: ridgerunner on June 04, 2009, 12:36:42 PM

Quote from: RB on June 02, 2009, 12:15:43 PM

I'm learning about nourishing herbal infusions!! I love drinking Nettle and Oatstraw infusions!

Interesting... I've always read that stinging nettles are a natural anti-histamine. I use a stinging nettle tincture for allergies and insomnia, every time I take it I immediately get sleepy.

Does this mean that all the alcohol tinctures I've made are not as good as I thought they were? Cry

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2009, 06:54:07 PM » by RB

Daisey, This link may help answer your question. http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/October07/wisewoman.htm

Blessing's,
RB

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2009, 07:22:27 PM » by Kitty

That freezing is an interesting idea...

I've been drinking a quart of infusions about every day for the last 2 weeks...oatstraw, nettles, RRL, and red clover (individually, usually). Don't care for the clover. Tongue

I think I like the nettles best, surprisingly enough.

My milk supply has definitely not decreased, but seems to have actually increased.

« Last Edit: June 22, 2009, 02:25:30 PM by Yooper »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2009, 07:47:05 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: daisey on June 05, 2009, 10:17:33 AM

Quote from: Yooper on June 04, 2009, 07:39:56 PM

Quote from: RB on June 04, 2009, 01:16:29 PM

Quote from: ridgerunner on June 04, 2009, 12:36:42 PM

Quote from: RB on June 02, 2009, 12:15:43 PM

I'm learning about nourishing herbal infusions!! I love drinking Nettle and Oatstraw infusions!

Interesting... I've always read that stinging nettles are a natural anti-histamine. I use a stinging nettle tincture for allergies and insomnia, every time I take it I immediately get sleepy.

Does this mean that all the alcohol tinctures I've made are not as good as I thought they were? Cry

No, your tinctures are good medicine. What it means is that some properties of herbs are best extracted in water & some in alcohol. A general guideline is that mild tasting herbs that grow freely, IE: nettles, mints, oatstraw, RRL, etc tend to be high in water soluble nutrients, mild on the system & can be drank freely as a tea. (infusion) Stronger tasting, hard to find, barks, resins, etc herbs are usually the stronger medicinals & usually have more alcohol soluble properties. For those herbs, tinctures extract far more of the medicinal qualities than any water based extraction. (teas or decoctions) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2009, 11:41:49 AM » by daisey

Thanks herbalmom............that helps clear up some questions that I had.

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2009, 02:33:49 PM » by Kitty

This is SO worth repeating for everyone using herbs [I'm just really grasping this now.]:

Quote from: herbalmom on June 21, 2009, 07:47:05 PM

..some properties of herbs are best extracted in water & some in alcohol. A general guideline is that mild tasting herbs that grow freely, IE: nettles, mints, oatstraw, RRL, etc tend to be high in water soluble nutrients, mild on the system & can be drank freely as a tea. (infusion) Stronger tasting, hard to find, barks, resins, etc herbs are usually the stronger medicinals & usually have more alcohol soluble properties. For those herbs, tinctures extract far more of the medicinal qualities than any water based extraction. (teas or decoctions) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Quote from: RB on June 04, 2009, 01:16:29 PM

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2009, 09:34:08 PM » by Kitty

I recently ran out of infusing herbs and have noticed my energy drop. I've been doing ~1 qt. of these a day since June. I think they are fabulous.

I use [individually] RRL, Nettles, Oat Straw, and Red Clover, w/ a pinch of mint for taste. I plan to incorporate Alfalfa and Horsetail next week.

Again, I put about 1 c. of dried herbs in a qt. jar, pour hot water over, and let steep covered (usually) overnight, 6+ hours, strain and drink or keep cool.

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2009, 11:09:10 AM » by doddsgirl

hey, i notice that most of you drink your teas individually. is that personal taste preference or is something lost when you combine them? i just combined red raspberry leaf and red clover tops. ( i also added a few slices of ginger root) it is steeping now. is that ok?
i also have some damiana that the lady at the health food store recommended yesterday but after coming home and researching it i think i will keep it separate and use sparingly. Roll Eyes

thanks for all your input.
rhonda

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2009, 06:20:35 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: doddsgirl on November 08, 2009, 11:09:10 AM

hey, i notice that most of you drink your teas individually. is that personal taste preference or is something lost when you combine them?

I don't know...been trying to find out if it's for taste or nutrition. MAYBE b/c to get the FULL effect of each herb's specific nutrients, you need a full ounce, and by blending, you minimize it? Huh

?

This was a handy reference:
http://www.purecalma.com/susun_weed_herbal_infusions.html

"Q. What is your view on herbs as teas?
A. I don’t think teas are the best ways to use herbs. I hardly ever drink tea. A cup of nettle tea has five milligrams of calcium. A cup of nettle infusion contains 250 mg of calcium. Why waste my time with teas?"

« Last Edit: November 08, 2009, 07:07:06 PM by Yooper »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #15 on: November 08, 2009, 07:27:22 PM » by mykidsmom

Yooper,

I'm just now reading this for the first time as I'm looking to try something new to heal my bladder. What is the difference between an infusion and a tea? I take my marshmellow root and put it in a tea ball and make tea with it. How would taking an ounce of it and putting it in a quart jar be any different? Is it the longer steeping time makes for better nutrition?

The two things that will heal me best are slippery elm root and marshmellow root. Can I make infusions from these and would that be the best form to take them in vs. a tea or tincture? How do I figure that out?

patti

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #16 on: November 08, 2009, 08:13:17 PM » by Kitty

Patti--the 1st post talks about the differences:

Quote from: Yooper on June 04, 2009, 07:37:18 PM

"It's easier to begin by talking about teas. Infusions differ from teas in this way: a tea is made from a small amount of herb (dry or fresh), boiling water, steeped for a few minutes. You get tannins, essential oils, some alkaloids like theine from black tea. Teas are often great tasting; peppermint tea can settle your stomach, lemon balm tea (fresh leaves best) helps with depression, the astringency of the tannins is pleasant and often helps settle the stomach, ginger tea helps with nausea. Teas are great, but they are not infusions.

An infusion is made from a lot of herb (always dry), boiling water and is steeped several hours. You get all of the abovementioned plus mineral salts. These mineral salts are bio-available in wonderful profusion and good balance. Dry herbs are used because drying the plant breaks the cell wall. When the boiling water is poured over them the weakened cell walls open and the mineral salts inside the cells come into the infusion."

Did you see the prior post about Susun not wasting time w/ teas? Cheesy

Infusions are much more nutritious--more herbs steeped over a longer period, yes.

Re: Marshmallow and slippery elm, she takes note of them here:
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/September08/anti-cancer.htm

It's a good article on infusions, in general. She reiterates why one herb/infusion:

"I only use one herb at a time in my infusion. I keep it simple, so I can really get to know the plants -- and my self."

Rhonda--RB said this earlier: "The Nourishing herbal infusions e-book I have, says to only try one Nourishing herb at a time, that way you can tell which ones are the best choice for you."

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #17 on: November 08, 2009, 08:48:47 PM » by Whiterock

What y'all are saying about water soluble and alcohol soluble herbs, is something I've read before. BUT the book I'm reading now, says that alcohol contains some water (how much depends on what "proof" it is) and that that water will extract the water soluble aspects of the herb while the alcohol extracts the other.

I will post more about what proof she recomends, etc. in the appropriate thread. But what do y'all think of this theory?

I know that I will always perpare some herbs with water because it is easy and often tastes better... but it would be nice to not have to worry about water vs alcohol when trying to decide how to prepare an herb that you want to get the most out of.

WR

« Last Edit: November 08, 2009, 08:50:19 PM by Whiterock »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #18 on: November 08, 2009, 09:16:29 PM » by herb fever

Quote from: Whiterock on November 08, 2009, 08:48:47 PM

But what do y'all think of this theory?

WR

It is right on the money! Grin

Which book?

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #19 on: November 08, 2009, 09:54:31 PM » by Mrs. B

I may just be really tired, and not understanding your post, but personally, I use tinctures more as a method of preserving for the long-term, not necessarily a mode of administering herbs. I do enjoy teas/infusions much more than tinctures, but I tincture so that my herbs have the potential to last several years longer.
I do get what you are saying about water content, and I haven't invested in buying the higher proof vodka or everclear... generally I use 80 proof.
BTW doddsgirl.... I don't drink single herb tea/infusions EVER! I always combine them as I think most herbs work better in harmony with others and not all alone.

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #20 on: November 08, 2009, 11:11:53 PM » by Whiterock

Herb Fever,
It's The Herbal Home Remedy Book, by Joyce A. Wardwell. I've just started reading it, and jumped to the tincture section today because my Prunella is blooming again and I want to make a tincture with the flowerheads.

Mrs. B,
To me, they are both ways to administer herbs, it's just that the tincture also preserves them. My post was mainly in response to the idea that alcohol will not extract water soluble constituents and, for that reason, some herbs should be administered as an infusion. This author gave me a different impression, so I wanted to present it and see if there was some reason for believing one theory over the other.

WR

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #21 on: November 08, 2009, 11:21:27 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: Whiterock on November 08, 2009, 08:48:47 PM

it would be nice to not have to worry about water vs alcohol when trying to decide how to prepare an herb that you want to get the most out of.

WR

I think Susun was more focusing on water not extracting the medicinal aspects of the herb than the other way around. I think both theories are correct. But it's important to distinguish that there are two very different goals at play with tincturing vs. herbal infusions. (Knowing that you know this, but I'm feeling verbose and typing helps me sort my thoughts. Wink

)

I see the nourishing herbal infusion as a way of quickly (overnight) extracting the nutritous aspects of a single herb, but skipping the medicinal (and usually bitter) parts of it. The goal is to consume it within a much shorter time frame. I sort of think of this as a liquid multi.

I think of tincturing as mainly medicinal. I do get what you're saying about alcohol having some water content...sort of the best of both worlds. But with the loooong steeping time, combined with the deeper extraction process with the alcohol, you're aiming for a much more powerful finished product with a longer shelf life that is taken in much smaller doses. When I want instant gratification and the full brute strength of the herb, that is definitely the way I want to go. On the other hand, I wouldn't consider tippling an infusion daily to supplement my mineral and vitamin needs. Cheesy

So I would say it depends on whether you want to use the herb as a strong medicinal vs. a nourishing supplement.

A lot of herbs sort of lend themselves to one camp or another, and then there are those that you'll want dry (for teas/poultices/infusions) and tinctured on hand. Plantain comes to mind as a good one that I like to have on hand both ways. And then there are the herbs like Rabbit Tobacco that are so strong in a simple tea that I would be sort-a scared to tincture them. Wink

Mrs. B, I agree with the synergistic strength of combining herbs. But I do like to 'simple' them first to see how I will react to each one. For stronger medicinals, I usually tincture individually as well so that I can control the strength of the final dosage for my littles. I do lobelia separately, for instance, as I want to use it in very small, measured doses.

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #22 on: November 08, 2009, 11:32:07 PM » by herb fever

That is a good book. I really enjoy it. I use her recipe as the base for my horehound candy.

deleted part of content since Gwen covered it. Grin

« Last Edit: November 08, 2009, 11:35:45 PM by herb fever »
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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #23 on: November 08, 2009, 11:37:19 PM » by Whiterock

Good posts, ladies. Thanks!
WR

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #24 on: November 09, 2009, 01:06:11 AM » by mykidsmom

Okay, so I totally get this now. In essence, by doing the teas I haven't really been nourishing the linings I NEED to in order to regrow them. Arrrgggh! You mean I've wasted years of trying to heal with teas? Angry

Oh well. I made an infusion tonight and will drink it tomorrow (all of it!). What I want to know is, is it okay to heat it on the stove or do I HAVE to drink it room temp? I promise I won't use the micro to heat it! To me, the infusion is so much easier because I can make more of it at one time. Thanks for all this info! It is exactly what I needed.

patti

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #25 on: November 09, 2009, 01:36:25 PM » by mykidsmom

BUMP. Can I heat this on the stove or does it have to be room temp? thanks!

Quote from: mykidsmom on November 09, 2009, 01:06:11 AM

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #26 on: November 09, 2009, 02:30:52 PM » by Kitty

You mean after you've boiled the water and steeped/strained it...can you heat it up?

I heat my up sometimes to drink warm. Huh

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #27 on: November 09, 2009, 03:30:32 PM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: Yooper on November 09, 2009, 02:30:52 PM

You mean after you've boiled the water and steeped/strained it...can you heat it up?

I heat my up sometimes to drink warm. Huh

Yep. That's what I meant. I wanted to drink it so I went ahead and heated it on the stove for a warm drink (it's coooolld here). All I can say about marshmellow root infusion is YUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK. Grin

There is no amount of raw honey or raw agave that will fix that taste. Oh my! This is the best stuff for my bladder. I have no idea how I'm going to choke down this stuff everyday. I'm getting some slippery elm quick to see if it's any better. Grin

Thanks for answering, yooper!

patti

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #28 on: November 09, 2009, 06:10:01 PM » by *MommaJo*

Thanks for linking me to this thread, Gwen!

Let me get this straight...
Infusion = water based, dried herbs, steeped over night.
Tea = water based, dried or fresh herbs, briefly steeped.
Tincture = alcohol based, dried or fresh herbs, steeped....somehow.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm going to go try this infusion thing, right now! I don't usually care for the flavors of most teas I've tried. I think I'll do it this way, chill it, and dilute it with juice

Thanks ladies.

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Re: Nourishing Herbal Infusions
« Reply #29 on: November 09, 2009, 06:49:03 PM » by Kitty

You got it, girl. Cool

The key is a LOT of herb for the infusion with the longer steeping time.