Making an Herbal Infusion is Easy.

An Herbal Infusion is, in my opinion, the absolute best way to get the wonderful benefits from using herbs. But there is a 'right' and a 'wrong' way to do it. In most of the 'herbal' books I've found they are calling a strong herbal tea - an infusion. I guess, in an exacting sort of way, they are right - however, you do not get the full benefit of an herb by steeping it for 10 minutes - rather it needs to steep for 8 - 12 hours.

You will need a quart jar, about 1 ounce (1 cup will work just fine) of dried herb, and about 4 cups of good, clean water (you won't use that much - that's okay).

Put your water on heat, bringing it to a boil. Place your herb into the jar. When your water is boiling pour it over the herb filling the jar up. Put the lid on the jar and let it sit for 8 - 12 hours. Doing this as a last thing before bed is a good idea - you can enjoy it the following day.

The next day (or after 8 - 12 hours) strain the herb out and squeeze all the remaining juice from it. I compost this spent herb. But you could put it around a house plant or just put it back into nature. Your infusion (the liquid) is now ready to use.

For even more information on a Nourishing Herbal Infusion check out this web site by Susun Weed. She shares some awesome information on using the herbs; Red Cover, Comfrey, Nettle and Oatstraw.

Infusions can be made with other non-alcoholic beverages - such as juice. However, this is not a 'true' blend and the other liquid you use may change the end result because of it's own properties. Be very careful when doing this. First and foremost - read the label of anything you buy from a store, as many of them have hidden sugars and nasty preservatives that can totally nutralize the vitamin and mineral potential of any herb.

Infusions are not just for drinking. A friend of mine adopted an older dog from a shelter. The pour dog came with a nasty yeast infection. Aside of changing the dogs diet (getting her off all the bad dog food) washing her with an herbal mixture, made this way, of sage is helping her itchy spots. She gets a good bath with a natural soap and the sage rinse - about once a week. I don't recommend this for all dogs with yeast infections, but for this puppy it's helping (go see your Vet - don't take your dog's health into your own hands).

I'm sure many of you have heard of using an herbal hair rinse, after washing, that stays on. Here's some ideas of herbs to use:

Basil - for Oily Hair
Basil is also said to help with promoting hair growth.

Chamomile - for Fine to Normal Hair
Chamomile brings out the golden highlights in hair.

Lavender - for Normal Hair
Lavender is a wonderful treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp. It even smells wonderful.

Peppermint - for Dry Hair
Peppermint is a cooling rinse that is said to help promote hair growth.

Rose - for Fine Hair
Rose soothes the scalp and brings some life back to treated or fine hair.

Rosemary - for Oily Hair
Rosemary brings out the dark shine of hair, helps with dandruff, and is also said to promote hair growth.

Sage - for All Types of Hair
Sage works very well to help control dandruff and the itchy feeling.

The main thing to remember is to expand your knowledge of herbs and don't limit them in thinking they are only for internal use. Infusions can be used as a rinse for kitchen counters, cleaning your bathroom, a rinse for your skin (test it for allergic reaction before using a bunch), scenting areas - like using lavender to rinse a floor, and using things like lemon and lime peel as a vegetable wash.