Therapeutic Tea Making

We are not just making tea; we are crafting therapeutic tea—an enriching ritual that maximizes the potency of your herbs.

Long steep your herbs! Glass teapots are great for rewarming your tea on glass stove tops.

Tea Infusion Directions:

1. Choose your vessel of choice and boil 1 liter (or 1 quart is fine, too) of water.

2. As the water heats in a pot, add at least 3-4 heaping tablespoons of herb to your vessel of choice (see below).

3. Once the water reaches a boil, pour it into your vessel and cover it immediately to trap the precious plant essences and oils.

Decoction Directions:

1. Choose a vessel that allows for a long, gentle simmer, such as a crockpot or even an Instant Pot for a more accelerated extraction of tougher herbal materials like roots, bark, seeds, and mushrooms.

2. Add water along with about 3–4 heaping tablespoons of herbs per liter of water, or enough herbs to create roughly a one-inch layer at the bottom of your vessel.

3. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight for deeper extraction.

4. Strain, pour into your favorite mug or jar, and enjoy.

   
   

In the Dose:

Embrace the tools you have at home. For measuring, use a tablespoon or a teaspoon. I prefer to work in parts rather than precise grams; this makes tea making therapeutically easy!

• 1 part herb = 1 heaping spoonful

• 2 parts herb = 2 heaping spoonfuls

• 3 parts herb = 3 heaping spoonfuls

Whatever your formulation, aim for about 3–4 heaping tablespoons of herb total, or enough to fill roughly one inch at the bottom of your jar or vessel.

Note on Fresh Herbs:

When using fresh herbs, gently wash and finely chop them before preparing. This helps increase surface area for a stronger extraction and a more accurate measurement. Fresh herbs also contain natural water content, so you will need to use a larger amount than you would with dried herbs to achieve a similar potency.

Worth the Wait:

Allow your herbal infusion to steep for at least 4 hours—ideally overnight. This time permits minerals to release, and the cooling time unlocks the moistening properties of demulcent herbs. For a decoction, bring water to a boil, add your herbs, and simmer for 2+ hours, or let it simmer all day/night in a crock pot.

The Vessel:

Your vessel choice reflects your preferences and intentions.

Crock Pot: Perfect for decoctions and infused broths, allowing you to add herbs and leave them unattended all day, especially for hard plant materials like seeds, roots, and tough mushrooms.

French Coffee Press: A French coffee press is convenient and mess-free. Level up with a stainless steel French coffee press that allows for additional warm steep time and lasting durability.

Airpot: Ideal for those on the go, keeping your tea warm throughout the day. Just place your herbs in a reusable cloth tea bag, put it inside, and fill it with boiling water.

Mason jars: Mason jars also work! A great option for making sun tea: a long sun-infused tea made in the summer months when temperatures peak.

Other Tools:

• Ritual Measuring Spoons: Personalize your experience and enhance your connection.

• Hand-held Frother: Perfect for incorporating collagen, herbal powders, or fats like coconut butter.

• A Go-To Favorite Mug: Reserve a special mug that excites you!

Storage:

Store in the fridge up to 2-3 days.

---

Embrace the process of tea-making and the transformative benefits it brings! With herbal cheer, your clinical herbalist, Ash