Tisanes (Tea)
A tisane is the correct term for a medicinal drink or infusion. An infusion is extracting plant properties by soaking leaves in a liquid. A decoction is the simmering of plant material, usually roots, bark and seeds to extract the properties. The common term used for all these definitions is simply, making a tea so that is the term I will be using.
For clarification purposes tea is a tisane made of plant material from the actual tea plant; Camellia sinensis. This would include black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, iced tea and chai tea (which is a tea blend that has black tea in it). These all come from the same plant but are processed with different methods, giving them different properties and taste. For those of my faith that follow the Word of Wisdom, these are part of the "hot drinks" not to consume.
Herbal tea is the best way for the body to absorb and utilize the properties of herbs. When using to treat any condition you will generally be taking 3-4 cups of tea a day, so the best way to make it, is by the quart, although you can make it by the cup. Measurements are given at the bottom, although they can be made stronger or weaker depending on the person and what their body needs. Once you have prepared your tea following one of these methods, strain the herbs from the water using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You can even purchase mug strainers that fit over the top of your mug. You can drink plain or sweeten to taste with raw honey (for added nutrients and microbes) or natural sweetener of choice. You can even add a stevia leaf or two to the infusion for a natural sweetener. The tea will stay good for about 72 hours.
Rosemary Gladstar differentiates teas in two categories; a beverage tea and a medicinal tea. A beverage tea can be good for your health but the purpose is not to make a remedy, but for pleasure. To enjoy the flavors of certain herbs mixed together, with taste as the guiding factor. A medicinal tea is one that has been blended (or can be a lone herb) to bring balance to the body through focusing on a certain system or area of concern. These medicinal teas can certainly be tasty but that is not the guiding factor and lets face it, there are some medicinal teas that just aren't going to taste that great.
There are two basic types of herbal tisanes: an infusion, which is made from the aerial parts; leaves, fruit or flowers, and involves steeping the herb and a decoction, made from the bark, seeds or root of the herb and involves simmering to extract the harder to reach constituents. There are a variety of ways to make tea, find which method works best for you. I use different methods based on the season and how I feel.
For clarification purposes tea is a tisane made of plant material from the actual tea plant; Camellia sinensis. This would include black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, iced tea and chai tea (which is a tea blend that has black tea in it). These all come from the same plant but are processed with different methods, giving them different properties and taste. For those of my faith that follow the Word of Wisdom, these are part of the "hot drinks" not to consume.
Herbal tea is the best way for the body to absorb and utilize the properties of herbs. When using to treat any condition you will generally be taking 3-4 cups of tea a day, so the best way to make it, is by the quart, although you can make it by the cup. Measurements are given at the bottom, although they can be made stronger or weaker depending on the person and what their body needs. Once you have prepared your tea following one of these methods, strain the herbs from the water using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You can even purchase mug strainers that fit over the top of your mug. You can drink plain or sweeten to taste with raw honey (for added nutrients and microbes) or natural sweetener of choice. You can even add a stevia leaf or two to the infusion for a natural sweetener. The tea will stay good for about 72 hours.
Rosemary Gladstar differentiates teas in two categories; a beverage tea and a medicinal tea. A beverage tea can be good for your health but the purpose is not to make a remedy, but for pleasure. To enjoy the flavors of certain herbs mixed together, with taste as the guiding factor. A medicinal tea is one that has been blended (or can be a lone herb) to bring balance to the body through focusing on a certain system or area of concern. These medicinal teas can certainly be tasty but that is not the guiding factor and lets face it, there are some medicinal teas that just aren't going to taste that great.
There are two basic types of herbal tisanes: an infusion, which is made from the aerial parts; leaves, fruit or flowers, and involves steeping the herb and a decoction, made from the bark, seeds or root of the herb and involves simmering to extract the harder to reach constituents. There are a variety of ways to make tea, find which method works best for you. I use different methods based on the season and how I feel.
Common Method
The most common way to make an infusion is by pouring boiling water over the herb and letting it sit covered for ten to twenty minutes. For a stronger tea you would put the herb in cold water in a pan and let it heat over medium low until it is gently boiling. Remove from heat and strain. If you would like an even stronger tea, use either method and then let the herbs sit in the water, covered, over night before straining. I recently found these boiling pots which boil your water in a matter of seconds, I love mine!
Solar Infusion |
Cold Infusion |
This is my favorite way to make tea during the summer months. Place your herbs in a glass jar and fill to the top with water and cover with a lid. Set the jar in direct sunlight for a few hours. I usually fill my jar half full with fresh herbs or 1/4 full of dried herbs. You can also adjust the amount of herbs to taste if making a beverage tea.
Lunar Infusion: Prepare the same and place out in the moonlight.
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Use the same process as a solar infusion but instead of placing in the sun just place on your kitchen counter for a couple hours or overnight.
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Tea Bags
You can purchase empty tea bags and fill them yourself. Pour boiling water into a cup and place the tea bag in the water for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze the bag to get all of the goodies out, then sweeten to taste if needed. The used tea bag makes a great poultice, so depending on what you are steeping, you can re-use the tea bag before composting.
Tea Pot Infuser and French Press
You can purchase a French Press, which you can put your herbs in, pour boiling water over the herbs and place the lid on. Follow instructions for whatever method you’ll be using from above. A similar device is a tea pot with a strainer in the middle. You fill the strainer portion with the herbs and pour water to fill the pot.
Decoction
This method is to be used with the tougher parts of bark, seeds or root. I also use it when making a tea blend that has roots or bark in it. Add herbs to a pan and pour cold water over them. Turn heat to medium low and wait for the water to simmer. Cover and continue to simmer for 20-40 minutes, for a more concentrated tea, leave the cover off.
Measurements/Dosages
Keep in mind that each body functions differently so these measurements are more guidelines. You may need to take more or less of an herbal tea for optimum results. When mixing up a beverage vs. a medicinal tea, throw these measurements out and go with your taste buds.
Tea Measurements
Dried Herb
1 cup water – 1 teaspoon of herb
1 quart water – ¼ cup herb
Fresh Herb
I cup water – 2 tablespoons of herb
1 quart water – ½ cup herb
Tea Dosages
When treating acute conditions, make a quart of tea and sip on it throughout the day. Rosemary Gladstar suggests ¼ cup of tea every half hour. Continue a quart a day until symptoms subside. For chronic conditions follow the same quart a day, just do it for several weeks, taking a break for a day or two each week.
Dried Herb
1 cup water – 1 teaspoon of herb
1 quart water – ¼ cup herb
Fresh Herb
I cup water – 2 tablespoons of herb
1 quart water – ½ cup herb
Tea Dosages
When treating acute conditions, make a quart of tea and sip on it throughout the day. Rosemary Gladstar suggests ¼ cup of tea every half hour. Continue a quart a day until symptoms subside. For chronic conditions follow the same quart a day, just do it for several weeks, taking a break for a day or two each week.
Disclaimer: The Information contained on this blog is for educational purposes only and as a guideline for your personal use. It is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed healthcare professional. Those who follow these suggestions do so at their own risk.
