The terms “herbal infusion” and “herbal tea” are typically used interchangeably.
The two terms are in fact quite different as a properly prepared herbal infusion is much more potent and easily absorbed than plain herbal tea.
If you plan to use herbs therapeutically as in use of nettle tea during pregnancy to tone the uterus and prepare for natural childbirth, it is best to prepare herbal infusions instead of herbal tea.
The ease of assimilation and increased potency of herbal infusions is due to careful preparation which involves boiling of the water and steeping of the herbs for anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on the type of plant matter used.
The boiling of the water releases any dissolved gases from the water into the air which are not reabsorbed by the water due to the tight fitting lid on the steeping jar. These dissolved gases can interfere with the rapid and complete assimilation of the nutrients released into the water by the herbs as they steep in the cooling water.
This boiling of water to release any dissolved gases and then cooling of the water in a glass jar with a tight lid to restrict the gases from redissolving back into the water is referred to as the “wonder water” effect.
Using the wonder water principle, how should herbal infusions be properly prepared?
Very easily as it turns out.
Preparing Herbal Infusions
Roots and Bark
If making an herbal infusion using the roots or bark of a plant, use one ounce of plant matter per pint of water to be used.
Place the correct amount of plant matter at the bottom of a glass mason jar and fill to the top with boiling water. Screw the lid on tightly and leave at room temperature for 8 hours.
Leaves
Use one ounce of dried leaves per quart of water. Place the leaves in a quart mason jar and fill to the top with boiling water. Tighly afix the lid and leave at room temperature for 4 hours.
Flowers and Seeds
One ounce of flowers per quart of water should be steeped in boiling water as it cools in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid for no more than 2 hours.
One ounce of seeds are steeped in a pint of boiling water, again with a tight fitting lid on a mason jar and only for 30 minutes.
Herbal Infusion Dosage and Storage
Once the herbs have steeped for the proper amount of time, strain out the plant matter and drink 2 cups per day if you weigh between 125 – 150 lbs until the infusion is used up.
Add an additional one half cup per day for every 30-40 lbs additional weight. Similarly, if you weigh less than 125 lbs, reduce dosage by one quarter cup for every 15-20 lbs.
Herbal infusions spoil rapidly so it is best to make and use them up as soon as possible. Store unused portions in the refrigerator for no more than a day and then prepare a fresh batch.
Do You Grow Herbs?
If you grow herbs, be sure to post pictures of them to the virtual garden on the Seeds of Change Facebook Wall (you need to fan their page to do this). Share your backyard bounty and inspiration with the world!
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist.com
Source: Wise Woman Herbal, Susun Weed
Picture Credit
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
You used the example of nettle tea. Do you have any other suggestions for a different tea? I am not pregnant and I am done having kids but would like more ways to use this method for good health.
I still use nettle tea for female health even though I don’t plan for any more children – it’s not just for pregnancy and childbirth!
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: The Herbal Infusion “Wonder Water” Effect
I agree Sara!
Nettle tea is also a great source of iron for those deficient in it! I used to drink it to get my iron stores up after the lab work said I am low in it.
Thanks for this post, it is so easy to steep herbs it turns out!
marina\’s last post: 4-Vegetable Spread
I didn’t know Nettle helps with iron. I have been anemic for years!! I will try this.
be careful- not all herbs should be prepared as infusions! for example, chamomile, should not be steeped longer than 10minutes or so, longer than that may make you ill. nettles, alfalfa, oat tops/oatstraw, comfrey are good for infusions.
raspberry, too!
Hi Candace, I’ve never had a problem using chamomile in an infusion and I always steep my teas at least 15 minutes.
Katherine\’s last post: September Essential Oil Specials
The mason jar won’t crack if you pour boiling water into it?
Ilana\’s last post: I’ve got my own Facebook page!
I shouldn’t, but I make my infusions in a french press. It’s made for hot water and after I’m done steeping, I can just press the herbs to the bottom and drink the infustion.
Katherine\’s last post: September Essential Oil Specials
I’m sure if Mason jars can withstand a pressure cooker they will be fine with boiling water being pored in.
Ilana,
To prevent cracking the jar, put a stainless steel table knife in the jar. The metal will absorb the heat and reduce the chance of cracking.
I’ve heard that Nettle isn’t good for people with Hypoglycemia. I was wondering if you have more information on this?
All I can tell you is that I am a lifelong hypoglycemic (in remission for over a decade since going on a high saturated fat diet … never been healthier!) and nettle works beautifully with my physiology.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: The Herbal Infusion “Wonder Water” Effect
Hi Sarah, this is great information. Tomorrow is Wildcrafting Wednesday, would you mind sharing this post with my readers? I’m sure they would love it!
Thanks!
~ Kathy
Katherine\’s last post: September Essential Oil Specials
This is a great and well written post! We share how to make infusions etc in our free How to Use Herbs ebook for our newsletter signups and you are correct that it is a much more potent, basically medicinal, tea in the end. For herbal teas, you want as much of the properties of the herbs as possible. Another tip is that when you strain, use a tea towel or cloth napkin over your cup and then wrap up the herbs in the napkin and squeeze/twist to get even more of the herbal properties in your cup.
Nettle is one of my favorite herbs. It is so nutritionally dense and great for seasonal allergies as well. We add Nettle to nearly every blend for the nutritional content alone. Nettle by itself does not taste so great so mix it with peppermint or spearmint and you then have a palatable tea.
Peppermint also acts as a catalyst for the assimilation of other herbs so it is always beneficial to add to herbal blends. And it is mighty tasty too! 
Nickole
Thanks for this info, Nickole. You are so right that nettle is not that tasty trying it for the first time by itself. I’ve had so much of it over the years though that I’ve developed a taste for that very rich grassy flavor!
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: The Herbal Infusion “Wonder Water” Effect
I started drinking herbal infusions daily two weeks ago. I drink nettle infusion and oatstraw. While I don’t really feel a physical difference, I love drinking them.
Heather\’s last post: Uterine Fibroid Tumors – Natural Remedies for Fibroid Treatment
Hi Sarah,
I just found your blog and really like it. I posted a couple of your posts at my blog and linked it to yours. Is that OK? if not let me know. Thanks.
etr
My blog is “eggs and butter are good for you” at: http://www.momsforkids.blogspot.com/
Hi etr,
Glad you are finding some of the posts here helpful .. of course – feel free to share them and linking back is most courteous. Thank you.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: The Herbal Infusion “Wonder Water” Effect
The Herbal Infusion “Wonder Water” Effect — The Healthy Home Economist
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Is Nettle tea safe to use throughout pregnancy? I’m only three months pregnant — could I start drinking it now? Thanks!
Great article! I was going to recommend Susan’s website and there it was her name at the end of your article. Nettle is an excellent tonic for women – as most of you know!
Where can you buy nettle?
Sarah, I’m drinking my red clover leaf, red clover blossum, milky oats tops and blue violet leaf infusion as I write here. Delicious. I prepare and drink a quart of a variety of herbs almost every day and my health has never been better. I like to add a little stevia for sweetening and also hibiscus blossums to create a beautiful red beverage!!
Researchers have discovered anti-tumor properties in Red clover and it is high in antioxidants (Vit E) along with other nutrients: Vit B complex, calcium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus and protein. It is useful as a tonic for menopause and for fertility as well (hopefully not “successful” for fertility for the menopausal woman, hehehehe…….). Also recommended for constipation, flushing toxins from the body and treating irritating coughs and pertussis. The blossums are particularly delightful to eat.
Milky Oats is a nervine herb – it soothes and calms-also contains silica for hair and nails.
I could go on and on but I won’t! I’ll just have another cup ‘ o’ clover!!!!!!
Adrienne, you can buy Nettle at Mountain Rose Herbs or Pacific Botanicals. They both have very high quality products.
Nettle is very safe and beneficial for pregnancy, as well as Alfalfa and Red Raspberry Leaf. We use those three herbs mixed with Peppermint to make a strong infusion. Great for digestion, bloating, nourishing the milk, etc.
We also use nettle in foods, such as soups and speghetti. It’s great to add for nutrition.
Nickole
Hi Nickole,
How about Red Clover Blossoms during pregnancy? I’m using them toghether with Red Raspberry Leaf. And also what herbs would you recomend during nursing, for better milk?
Thank you
Olga, Red Clover is actually one of the herbs NOT recommended during pregnancy. There are herbs that are fantastic for milk supply!
A great Mother’s Milk blend would be:
Fenugreek
Blessed Thistle
Fennel Seed
Nettle Leaf
Alfalfa Leaf
Red Raspberry Leaf
(And now you have me thinking of creating a blend for this purpose
I hope this helps!
Nickole
Thank you, Nickole!
Yes, already mixed blend is great idea. When I was breastfeeding my first child I was bying “Lactation tea” blend at the local herb store. I don’t really know what was in it, but I loved it, and they also had a small print out with steeping instructions, which was really helpfull.
Wow! Great info on nettle here… I have a bunch growing wild in the woods behind my house — not to mention those in my yard! ;^D
Ariel, I have yet to find Nettle in the wild, although I have found Plantain and other herbs. Nettle appears to be so abundant and so many have found it, and I want to so bad!
Nettle has natural “stingers” hence the name Stinging Nettle, so if found fresh you must cook it first (or dry it and the dried has deactivated stingers as well). So just FYI – careful harvesting!
Nickole