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It’s no secret that our all time favorite wild plant just might be Stinging Nettle. We recently shared with you our early spring tradition of harvesting nettles in the wild, as well as our tried-and-true recipe for our Spring Tonic soup. But what if you don’t have access to fresh nettles? Or what if you can’t harvest enough nettle (that’s us) to be able to enjoy it all year? Or what if you want to enjoy many types of herbs you can’t easily access? Let me introduce you to nourishing herbal infusions. To make an herbal infusion, you don’t even need to be able to cook. You just have to buy some dried herbs and boil water.

Watch, “How to Brew Herbal Infusions” on YouTube >

What is an herbal infusion? 

The term herbal infusion is used to describe water that has been infused with herbs. Usually they are made with hot water and enjoyed cold.

What is the difference between an herbal infusion and tea?

An herbal tea is usually made with a small portion of plant material and steeped or soaked for a short amount of time before drinking. An infusion is made with a larger quantity of plant material and soaked for longer. In the simplest terms, it could be called a really strong tea. The process of making an infusion tends to make the flavor richer. 

Are herbal infusions healthy?

While we aren’t medical experts of any sort, people have been using herbal remedies for their health benefits since time immemorial. Even WebMD talks about nettles and their potential help for inflammation and glucose regulation. We are big believers in finding ways to make food and lifestyle your medicine. Herbal infusions are one very easy way to put that intro practice. Some people prefer tinctures, oils, or pills. But honestly I find it hard to keep consistent with those things. I’ve also been a little wary of over-doing it with a particular herb. Infusions seem like a safe way for me to consume herbs on a daily basis.

What are herbal infusions used for?

We have heard of people using herbal infusions as a soda alternative, to detoxify, slim down, manage chronic disease, increase fertility, and even treat anxiety. I use herbal infusions - in particular nettle infusion - to replace part of my daily water intake. I try to get 8 cups of water

each day and usually replace about half of that with an infusion. By drinking an herbal infusion I get added nutrients in flavorful water while staying hydrated. Plus there are no added calories or artificial ingredients.

What are the benefits of herbal infusions?

Many of the good things in herbs (such as micronutrients, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) are water soluble. So by soaking herbs in hot water, those good things transfer. Then all you have to do is drink the water to get the benefits. I drink nettle infusions because I feel like it gives me extra energy and helps reduce overall inflammation. Plus I like the taste! If you’ve been wanting to incorporate more herbs into your diet, infusions might be a great choice. 

What are the best herbs for herbal infusion?

There’s a handful of herbs I hear about commonly being used to make infusions. The most popular herbs we hear about are: nettle, oatstraw, comfrey, red clover, linden, dandelion, hawthorne, chickweed, and mint. They can be used individually or in combination. As with all things you consume, we recommend you do your research and consult with your healthcare team before trying something new. 

Knowing the source of your herbs is just as important as what plants you choose. If we don’t harvest them ourselves, we usually only purchase in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs. They are very serious about sourcing sustainable, high quality products, and fair trade products. I feel like anything I buy from them is trustworthy. 

How to make an herbal infusion?

Making an herbal infusion sounds complicated, but it’s not. You only need a few simple items. I boil water in my coffee maker. While that’s happening I grab a 1-quart mason jar and my bulk dried stinging nettle from Mountain Rose Herbs <link>. I scoop about ⅓ cup of nettle into the jar and fill to the top with hot water. Then I screw on a lid and let it soak on the counter overnight. In the morning I replace the solid lid with a sprout lid and strain into another mason jar. Then I place the solid lid on the infusion and add the leftover herbs to my worm bin.

How long does an herbal infusion last?

Once I’ve strained an herbal infusion I keep it in the fridge and try to drink it that day. I’ve heard it’s good to use it within 24 hours to get the maximum benefit. If for some reason I can’t drink mine in that time frame, I usually pour it into the worm bin or put it on the compost pile. 

How do you drink it?

You can drink an herbal infusion just like cold water or iced tea. My favorite way to drink an herbal infusion is to add a dash of raw local honey and organic lemon wedge.

What’s a good herbal infusion recipe?

Here’s my favorite recipe; I make it nearly every day.

Total time: 8 - 10 hours  |  Working Time: 5 minutes  |  Serving: 4 cups

Ingredients:

• About ⅓ cup of dried herbs. I use stinging nettle from Mountain Rose Herbs.

• Water

• Honey and lemon optional

Equipment:

• Pot, tea kettle, or coffee pot to boil water

• ⅓ measuring cup

• 2, quart-sized mason jars

• 1 solid mason jar lid

• 1 screw-on mason jar mesh lid. I like the stainless steel lids from True Leaf Market.

Steps:

• Start boiling the water.

• While the water is heating, assemble your other ingredients and equipment.

• Scoop your herbs into one of the mason jars.

• When the water is ready, pour over the herbs in the jar. Fill to the top. Screw on the solid lid.

• Let sit on the counter for 8-10 hours or overnight.

• Replace the solid lid with the strainer lid. Pour into the second mason jar.

• Dump the leftover plant material in your compost or worm bin.

• Add honey and lemon to your herbal infusion if you wish.

• Drink immediately or store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

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