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Herbal infusions are nutrient-rich drinks made from dried herbs. They are another one of my favorite healthy drinks. I first learned about them from the wonderful herbalist Susun Weed.


They are not the same as herbal teas. An herbal tea is made from a small amount of fresh or dried herb and is brewed for just a short time. An infusion, on the other hand, is made from a large amount of dried herb and is brewed for a long time.

An infusion is much more nutritious than a tea, and they are one of my herbal recipes of choice for delivering high quality vitamins and minerals into the body. They are especially useful for anyone concerned that they don't get enough of the mineralss that are important for healthy bones.

Nettle leaves, for example, are an excellent sources of calcium and magnesium, as well as iron, B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin K.

When prepared and taken on a daily basis, herbal infusions are a much more effective and natural way to get nutrients than by taking pills.

Nettles is certainly one of the best, but other herbs that are excellent for making infusions include:

Alfalfa leaves
Dandelion leaves
Horsetail
Lemon balm
Oatstraw
Red raspberry leaves
Red clover

Mountain Rose Herbs is an excellent source for organic herbs.

When purchasing herbs for infusions, you want to buy them in their bulk (cut and sifted) form. If you plan to drink them daily, which is recommended, then you will need quite a lot of herbs; I suggest you order several pounds at a time.

Prepare infusions in quart/liter jars with tight lids. Glass canning jars are good. A very clean spaghetti sauce jar is also fine. Place 1 ounce (approximately 1 large handful) of dried herb in your jar and pour just boiled water to the top. Cap immediately and let steep 4-8 hours or overnight. Strain and drink over the course of the next day or two. After that, you should make a fresh batch.

The usual dose of an infusion is 2-4 cups a day, taken hot, chilled, or at room temperature. Infusions may be sweetened, if desired, or you may add milk or a milk substitute.

Infusions can also be added to the liquid when making soups, and they can be added to your bath water or used as a facial or hair rinse.

If you enjoy herbal projects and want to benefit more from herbal nutrition, another fun and tasty idea is to make your own flavored vinegars with herbs.