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Inspiring infusions
Herbalist Rachel Heathcote plants new ideas for your daily brew
Putting on the kettle for a brew and
pouring a ‘cuppa’ is something of a
British tradition. But have you ever
thought of making a herbal infusion instead?
It’s so easy; if you can make a cup of tea, you
can make an infusion, and it’s a fantastic way
to boost your health.
Infusions, tisanes or teas are made by
pouring boiling water onto dried or fresh plant
material. This extracts flavours and medicinal
constituents from the plant material into the
water, and is one of the simplest and quickest
ways to make water-based herbal extract. As a
bonus, the result is a cosy, warm drink. This
method is ideal for the softer plant parts like
flowers, leaves, and stems. I would
recommended that you use one teaspoon of
Elderberry
Elderberry
Chamomile
Chamomile
Peppermint
Peppermint
dried herb (or three teaspoons if fresh) per
cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for
10 minutes before straining and drinking. If
you are using the bark, root, seed or resin
parts of the plant, which are a lot tougher,
you will need more heat to extract the
constituents. In this case, the decoction
method of boiling the herb for 10 minutes in
a covered pan of water is used instead.
Herbal infusions make fantastic healthy
alternatives to caffeinated tea, coffee or other
sugary drinks which can be dehydrating. They
can be drunk hot or cold and I highly
recommend using a good-quality loose
organic herb rather than tea bags. This not
only tastes better but is more likely to have
the desired medicinal benefits. If, like me, you
Here are some of my favourite infusions. They taste great and have
traditionally been used for wonderful health benefits:
Elderberry and rosehip shells – anti-viral and rich in vitamin C,
great to support the immune system and ward off coughs and colds.
Lemon balm leaf and chamomile flowers – calming and
soothing, for stress and anxiety. Lemon balm also gently lifts the
mood.
Peppermint leaf and fennel seed – helps to settle nausea,
indigestion and bloating, a good after-dinner tea.
Nettle leaf – rich in iron and calcium, a great cleanser and antiinflammatory,
being useful for inflamed skin complaints, allergies and
arthritis.
Lavender flowers and lime flowers – add a pinch of each to a
pot of chamomile for a relaxing evening drink to promote a more
restful night.
Dandelion root – a gentle, bitter herb, which cleanses the liver and
kidneys. A brilliant alternative to coffee, it helps with sluggish bowels
and fluid retention. By de-toxing the system it helps brighten the skin.
don’t have the time to make it with a proper
tea pot and strainer, it’s well worth getting
yourself a tea-ball or tea infuser. This is
basically a stainless-steel portable tea bag which
you fill with loose herb, pop into a cup, before
pouring on boiling water. It’s quick and easy to
use, and makes a lot less mess.
If you are trying infusions for the first
time, you may want to start infusing for three
to five minutes to give a more delicate flavour.
Once your taste buds have adjusted you will
find you can enjoy the stronger herbs. To
improve the taste, try adding a slice of lemon,
sweeten with a little honey or add another
herb like peppermint, liquorice or lemon
balm to lift the more bitter teas. So, put on
the kettle and choose a new, healthier cuppa. V
Rosehip Rosehip
Lavender Lavender
Dandelion
Dandelion
Rachel Heathcote is from Neal’s Yard Remedies, 27 Market Place, Salisbury (01722 340736)