Infusions with Nourishing Herbs

Infusions are made in the same manner as you would make a cup of tea, with a few exceptions.

With a cup of tea you add your dried herb/herbs to hot water and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, find a comfy chair and enjoy those medicinal benefits right away.
 
With an infusion you are using a larger amount of your herb/herbs and the steeping time is anywhere from 2 to 10 hours. The purpose of drinking an herbal infusion is for the abundant amount of vitamins and minerals. (think of it as a liquid vitamin) 💪
 
Making an infusion is very easy. Place 1 ounce, by weight, of dried herb/herbs in a glass quart jar. Fill to the top with boiling water, cover and allow to steep at room temperature for 2-10 hours. Strain and drink by the cupful, warm or cold, throughout the day. Be sure to keep the remainder in the refrigerator and to use up within 36 hours. 

 
If you find the taste to be too strong you can try using 1/2 ounce of your herb and slowly increase up to that 1 ounce. You can add a touch of honey or maybe a slice of lemon. 

You can create a different infusion per week. You can use a single herb or add several together. I always recommend to become familiar with the different vitamin/mineral profile of each herb/herbs before deciding on what herbs to use to create your own infusion, based on;

your daily diet
how is your current health? What vitamins and minerals is your body telling you it needs?
any possible herb / drug interactions

Below is a list of some of my favorite nourishing herbs to use. There are of course more one could add to this. Be sure to keep in mind that pungent herbs are not as suitable for long infusions as the taste would be very strong and unpleasant. 

As with using any herbal, be sure to check for drug interactions and or cautions for pregnant and or nursing mothers.

chickweed - Stellaria media
dandelion leaves - Taraxacum officinale
hawthorn berries, leaves and flowers 
hibiscus
mullein - Verbascum thapsus
nettle leaf- Urtica dioica
oat straw
raspberry leaf 
red clover flowers -Trifolium pratense 
rose petal
rose of sharon - Hibiscus syriacus
violet leaves - Viola sororia

Edible & Medicinal Herbs

For those of you who can not come to my herb walks or classes on my farm, I have uploaded two, 30 minute videos to YouTube that introduce you to a variety of wild edibles and medicinal herbs in the Pacific NW of the United States. Information on them and the link is listed below. I will upload two additional videos very soon. These are all taken from videos I use to sell in the 90's. 

These videos were made in 1994 by myself & John Manion. We have transfered them to Youtube for free access.

Video II part 1 - In this video, Dr. Tilgner takes you for a walk where you learn to identify edible and medicinal herbs. She also gives information on what parts of the plants are used and how they are used. The plants are as follows: Thimbleberry, Salmon berry, Cleavers, Red clover, Burdock, Salal, Chamomile, Borage, Comfrey, Flax, Feverfew, Calendula, Nasturtium, Yellow dock - Additionally, there is a presentation of how to make a vapor inhalation, herbal compress, herbal oil, herbal soap and a poultice. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16MMV-puqI

Video II - part 2 - In this video, Dr. Tilgner finishes taking you for a walk that started in the first half of the video above. You learn to identify more edible and medicinal herbs. She also gives information on what parts of the plants are used and how they are used. The plants are as follows: Dandelion, Milk thistle, Valerian, Goldenrod, Wood sorrel, Devil's club, Madenhair fern, Mullein - She also demonstrates how to make an herbal tincture.       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSjvMvqND08