I like to imagine that humans have interacted with plants through the process of teas (infusions) and decoctions ever since the discovery of fire. Although humans have been utilizing menstruums (such as alcohol, apple cider vinegar, honey or oil) to extract plant constituents for thousands of years in some cases, it has been documented that the major emphasis on utilizing menstruums to extract the properties of plants, has occurred only within the last 200 years.

Water is the extractant for infusions and decoctions. Water is the basis for all of life. Perhaps it is even the first medicine, as no life exists without it. Water has the great ability to extract minerals from plants. These minerals are what the human body requires for proper digestion and overall health maintenance.

When choosing what type of water to use, ideally, you want to avoid any water that has chemicals, water softeners, or contaminants present.

Hot Infusion

Most of us are familiar with making hot infusions through boiling water and pouring it over a tea bag. The process of making tea is the same idea we utilize when creating hot herbal infusions with the plants we have grown. Most herbs work well with hot infusions.

More mucilaginous herbs (like Marshmallow root),work best with a cold infusion.

Ideal Ratios:

Fresh Herbs

2 parts fresh herbs : 20 parts water

or

2 oz fresh herbs : 1 pint boiling water

Dry Herbs

1 part dry herbs : 20 parts water

or

1 oz dry herbs : 1 pint boiling water

Directions:

1. Put the herbs in an appropriate vessel that can withstand high heat. (Mason jar, ceramic mug, stainless steel press, etc.)

2. Add your herbs and pour the boiling water on top.

3. Allow the herbs to steep with a lid for 20-30 minutes.

4. Strain the infusion through a metal strainer.

5. Consume within 12 hours.

Cold Infusion

This type of infusion is best for mucilaginous herbs, such as Slippery Elm, Burdock, and Marshmallow Root. It is best to allow these herbs to steep in a cloth bag. Small reusable cotton drawstring bags also work well.

Ideal Ratios:

Fresh Herbs

2 parts fresh herbs : 20 parts water 

or 

2 oz fresh herbs : 1 pint room temperature water

Dry Herbs

1 part dry herbs : 20 parts water 

or 

1 oz dry herbs : 1 pint room temperature water

Directions:

1. Put the herbs in your cotton bag and add to a glass vessel that has a lid, such as a Mason jar.

2. Cover with cold water.

3. Allow the cold infusion to sit overnight with a lid.

4. Remove the cotton bag with the herbs in the morning.

5. Consume within 12 hours.

Sun Tea and Moon Tea

Sun Infusions:

Sun infusions are best made during the Summer months, however, they can be made during any season as well. They are created through utilizing a combination of cold and hot water infusions, since you are taking room temperature water and then allowing the sun’s heat to infuse the herbs. Every few days during the summer, I start a new gallon size batch of Sun tea. This usually involves wandering the gardens and harvesting what is calling to me. Some of my favorite herbs for Sun Teas are; Nettle, Lemon Balm, Mint, Hibiscus, Tulsi, and Elderflower.

Energetics of Sun Medicine

The Sun represents our outward nature. Energy that moves up and out. You can work with Sun Medicine to help shine a light on your goals. As humans, we work during daylight hours. You may work with Sun infusions to call in more clarity, rational decision making, or more productive activity.

Moon Teas:

Like Sun teas, Moon teas can be created during any season. Moon teas do not heat up like the Sun teas, so they tend to be more light in color after their infusion process is complete. This speaks highly to their cooling nature and their ability to enhance introspection. 

Energetics of Moon Medicine

The Moon represents our inner terrain. Our emotions, our psyche, and our spiritual selves. The Moon works with our subtle nature. Each phase of the Moon can offer a more subtle effect as well. Overall, the Moon infusion is ideal for really dropping in and allowing our sensitive souls a “seat at the table.” Moon infusions allow our inner terrain to feel nourished and hydrated.

Directions:

There are no clear directions for making a Sun or Moon tea. This is where you get to check in and listen to what feels best for you personally. I choose to make Sun and Moon teas in a gallon size glass jar. The process I follow involves browsing through my gardens, adding 2-3+ handfuls of the Plant Relatives that are calling to me that particular day. I then fill my gallon size jar with room temperature well water from my tap. I let that steep all day in the sun (for Sun tea) or all night (for Moon tea). When it is complete, I strain out the herbs and keep the gallon in my refrigerator to sip on throughout the week.

Decoctions

Decoctions use water as their menstruum, similar to teas. You will want to choose the decoction method when working with tougher parts of the plants, including: bark, berries, roots, and seeds. Herbs that are extremely mucilaginous, like Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm, should never be decocted.

Ideally, you want to cut up your bark and roots into smaller pieces before decocting. This increases the surface area that will be extracted in the decoction. It is also much easier to handle smaller pieces.

Decoctions are also the first step for preparing Herbal Syrups.

Ideal Ratios:

2 ounce of fresh plant material : 1,000ml of water

1 ounce of dried plant material : 500ml of water

Directions:

1. Put the plant material in an appropriate size cooking pot with a tight fitting lid.

2. Cover the plant material with cold water.

3. If possible, allow the herb to soak in the water for a few hours before the next step. This will allow the herbs to macerate and open up their pores. This step isn’t necessary, but it makes a stronger decoction.

4. Cover the cooking pot and bring the herbs to a boil.

5. Decrease the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the beginning water level looks to be about ½ of what you started with. Stir the herbs occasionally throughout the process of simmering.

6. After the process is complete, use a fine metal strainer or cheesecloth to strain the liquid into a sterile vessel with a lid. You may choose to allow the decoction to cool before straining.