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Learn how to make an Infusion with herbs.
Also the difference between
Infusion, Decoction and Tincture.

An Infusion is basically an herb steeped in liquid.  This is where boiling or hot water is poured over an herb and allowed to sit, covered, for about 10 minutes.  Not all Infusions are made with boiled liquid.

A Decoction is made by boiling tough herbs, seeds, stems, bark and roots in a liquid.  The herb is placed in the liquid, covered, and brought to a boil (do not do this with delicate herb or you'll end up with a mess).

A Tincture is where the herb is steeped in alcohol (like wine, brandy or vodka - often Everclear) over a period of time - usually 3 months.

Now that I have basic descriptions out of the way, lets talk about Infusions.  Most information you'll see will talk about making this using water (an Infusion in water is also an Herbal Tea) or oil (like in Flavored Cooking Oils). Those two liquids are certainly the most common - but limiting yourself to only water or oil really limits the possibilities of this craft.  For example; using sparkling water you could make your own Ginger Ale (or other soft drinks with other herbs) - using honey you could make your own Cough Syrups or Flavored Honey (as for use with tea) - using vinegar you could make flavored vinegars (like for Salad Dressing) - and using fruit or vegetable juices you could get vitamins into picky adults (haha).

In general you would use about an ounce (28.35 grams) of herb to a pint (2 cups or 0.4732 liters) of liquid.  The biggest problem is that this is not a hard, fast, unyielding rule of measurement.  For each project you undertake you will need to take notes and experiment a bit - to get the right blend for 'your' happiness.  For example; when herbs are very high in flavor and / or scent (like the mints) - you may decide to use a little less.

Why is Ginger Ale (ginger is a tough herb) mentioned in here?  You can't boil sparkling water without it loosing it's sparkle. So, there is one recipe that calls for steeping it in the cold sparkling water, and another that calls for making a very strong decoction - first - and adding the sparkling water.  Learn how to make Ginger Ale by clicking here.

Coming Soon to this page is a wonderful 'Nourishing Health Infusion' as first shared by Susun Weed. If you can't wait, here's the link to enjoy this pleasure now (be sure to watch the video).

FUNNY:  I had decided to try making my own flavored honey out of some vanilla beans I had. I warmed my honey to just before boiling, added my chopped vanilla beans, poured it into a container, set it on my refrigerator - and forgot about it.  A few months later I heard an explosion of glass coming from my kitchen.  There was honey EVERYWHERE (smelled wonderful, by the way).  I totally forgot that you don't SEAL honey as it can ferment.  Let this be a lesson - if you are going to use honey, cork it, don't seal it.

All information, shared on this web site, is for enjoyment and study only and is NOT meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition.  Only your health care professional is qualified to diagnose or treat medical conditions.  Do not risk your health!  Just because something is 'natural' does NOT make it safe.  Do not, under any circumstance, ingest or use herbs in any form without consulting your Doctor.  If you do, you do so at your OWN RISK.

Web Site Content (text, graphics, look and feel) are Copyright Protected © All Rights Reserved 2009, Sandy Marie.
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