Making Herbal Infusions
Datetime:2013-12-04 Hits:
Chamomile, lavender, mint, lemon balm...herbs can be soothing, invigorating, and even medicinal to drink in an infusion. An herbal infusion is like a very strong herbal tea. To make herbal infusions, you extract the flavors, aromas, oils, and other constituents of leafy herbs by steeping them in boiling hot water.
Instructions
1
Research the medicinal use of the specific herbs you want to make herbal infusions with. Use a reputable reference for herbs.
2
Rinse the fresh herbs, if using, very lightly and briefly in water, then shake--don't blot--dry. The idea is to avoid stripping the leaves of the delicate oils.
3
Add a tablespoon of fresh herbs or a half tablespoon of dried herbs to a cup of pure spring or filtered water in a ceramic or stainless steel teapot.
4
Bring the water and herbs to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat. To infuse herbs, cover the pot and let steep 20-30 minutes for dried herbs, 10-15 minutes for fresh herbs. Longer than that and the herbs are likely to turn bitter.
5
Strain and discard the leaves and retain the hot herbal infusion. Cool and use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to a day. Herbal infusions are best used by sipping them over a long period of time rather than gulping them down all at once.
