How to make tea

How you make your medicine matters. Some herbs really need to be simmered for a while to extract the constituents. Some herbs prefer a gentle treatment, and some just want to sit in cool water for a few hours. Here are some basic guidelines for making the most of your cup.

Decoction:

This is a snazzy herbalist word for “simmer forever” This type of preparation is generally applied to woody stems, roots, mushrooms and some tougher leaves. Decoction times vary widely so be sure to follow the directions given with your tea. You can see a short video here.

1. Using a pot with a lid add your herb dose to the pot and add water as suggested (plus a little more for evaporation).

2. Cover the pot and bring to a low cheerful Simmer. Covering the pot will ensure that important volatile oils do not escape in the steam vapor.

3. Turn off the heat at the suggested time and let the decoction rest until it is room temperature. Then strain / press out the tea. I suggest using a muslin bag and clean hands to squeeze out the spent tea.

Overnight Infusion:

Overnight infusions are generally suggested for nourishing, hydrating, healing and demulcent teas. Overnight infusions teas are the kind that you drink by the quart, and they should taste yummy! You can see a short video here.

1. Add your herbs to a heat proof jar or cup (like a mason jar).

2. Pour over with just boiled water and place a lid over the tea.

3. Let rest for at least 8 hours then strain out.

I Like to make a several days batch of this type of tea. Especially if it is a tea to be drunk cool. Having a big pitcher of cool lovely tea in the fridge is a great way to make sure you’re getting your foundational herbs.

Tea concentrate:

I find this to be a helpful suggestion for folks who are very busy and really don’t want or need a whole new ritual in their life. Just getting quality tea into them is reason to celebrate! You can see a short video here.

1. multiply your tea dose by 5. (If 1 tbl is called for use 5)

2. multiple your water base by 3. (If 1 quart of water is called for use 3)

3. make tea as suggested either by overnight infusion or decoction.

4. strain and store in the fridge.

5. add your concentrate to hot or cold water as suggested. Be mindful not to microwave your tea concentrate, adding the concentrate to a cup of just boiled water will warm it enough and microwaving it may render some constituents less useful.

Cold infusion:

This method produces the least amount of tannins and produces the most amount of demulcent properties. It is not suited for herbs that are resinous (like sage or marijuana). You can see a short video here.

1. Add herbs to a jar.

2. Pour over cool water and rest 8-12 hours before straining.

In the background:
Why tea? Tea is called for when tissues are helped by being bathed in the herbs. Digestive issues, wound healing, and nutritive support all fall in this category. Sometimes tea is suggested because the ritual is deemed to be helpful as well. Think about drinking a cup of kava kava before bed, or the peacefulness of a cup of chamomile after dinner.

Bonus:

Try not to overboil your water as it removes oxygen from the water.