How to Make Herbal Infusions

Chamomile, lavender, mint, lemon balm...herbs can be soothing, invigorating, and even medicinal to drink in an infusion. An herbal infusion is like a very strong herbal tea. To make herbal infusions, you extract the flavors, aromas, oils, and other constituents of leafy herbs by steeping them in boiling hot water.

Things You'll Need

• Dried or fresh leafy herbs such as mint, lemon verbena, and chamomile
• Teapot made of ceramic or stainless steel

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Instructions

• 1

  Research the medicinal use of the specific herbs you want to make herbal infusions with. Use a reputable reference for herbs.

• 2

  Rinse the fresh herbs, if using, very lightly and briefly in water, then shake--don't blot--dry. The idea is to avoid stripping the leaves of the delicate oils.

• 3

  Add a tablespoon of fresh herbs or a half tablespoon of dried herbs to a cup of pure spring or filtered water in a ceramic or stainless steel teapot.

• 4

  Bring the water and herbs to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat. To infuse herbs, cover the pot and let steep 20-30 minutes for dried herbs, 10-15 minutes for fresh herbs. Longer than that and the herbs are likely to turn bitter.

• 5

  Strain and discard the leaves and retain the hot herbal infusion. Cool and use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to a day. Herbal infusions are best used by sipping them over a long period of time rather than gulping them down all at once.