Infused
"Why don't I read to you during my afternoon infusion?" This is a common offer I give my kids. Some people would just call it a cup of tea, but for me it's much more.
I'm one of those people who has to put breaks on her to-do list. Even in my down time, I will fill it with SOMETHING... and it's exhausting and makes me completely manic and mindless if I don't watch it. Every day after lunch (sometimes after breakfast or dinner too) while I'm clearing up, I make myself a herbal infusion. I let it steep from 5-90 minutes. The longer the better, really.
Herbals are not just for remedial work on your health. Yes, we take echinacea for things, I make a cough syrup for bad chesty things. But some herbs can be used as tonics. Tonifying herbs are those you can use every day to support good heath. Many, quite simply, are nutritional supplements. The calcium from oatstraw infusion, the iron and magnesium from a nettle infusion are two examples. But it's also a way for me to bring nature's healing magic into my life every day. And unlike taking a supplement pill, a cup of tea also reminds me sit down, breathe in the essential oils filling the air, and remember to be mindful. Am I the only one who needs to put regular road blocks in her life to practice mindfulness? My children even connect with this. Unless invited for a book and cuddle during this time, everyone else seems to take a break when mom has a cuppa in her hand.
Today I'm drinking a special nettle infusion my friend JoAnne makes from the plants on her property down the road... mostly. It's nettle, peppermint, blackberry leaves along with some dried orange peel, clove and cinnamon. It's wonderful. Other days, I like to mix some dried or fresh leaves of nettle, mint and lemon balm. In the spring time, I think I can't get enough nettle infusion for it's minerals and whatever it might be doing to help my hay fever. Lemon balm is one of those calming herbs. And I simply can't have enough calming, frankly.
In the evenings, I like a straight infusion of oatstraw. I order a big bag of it from Mountain Rose Herbs. It's got a pleasant smokey taste... reminding me a little of the tea they serve at my favorite Korean Women's Spa up in Tacoma and Seattle.
Sometimes I try other things. These days as my body is getting on a bit and things are changing, and my PMS can sometimes take me by surprise. If I get one of those headaches, I infuse some sage leaves. And luckily for me, sage has leaves all year long, so if I don't have any dried, I need only go outside. Sage just speaks to me during those womanly days when the Red Tent is nowhere in sight. But then again, maybe it's just that I've sat myself down and given myself 15 minutes to relax and be mindful with my cup of tea... and my book or a cuddle.
How to make an infusion: It's just like making tea, really.
I'm one of those people who has to put breaks on her to-do list. Even in my down time, I will fill it with SOMETHING... and it's exhausting and makes me completely manic and mindless if I don't watch it. Every day after lunch (sometimes after breakfast or dinner too) while I'm clearing up, I make myself a herbal infusion. I let it steep from 5-90 minutes. The longer the better, really.
Herbals are not just for remedial work on your health. Yes, we take echinacea for things, I make a cough syrup for bad chesty things. But some herbs can be used as tonics. Tonifying herbs are those you can use every day to support good heath. Many, quite simply, are nutritional supplements. The calcium from oatstraw infusion, the iron and magnesium from a nettle infusion are two examples. But it's also a way for me to bring nature's healing magic into my life every day. And unlike taking a supplement pill, a cup of tea also reminds me sit down, breathe in the essential oils filling the air, and remember to be mindful. Am I the only one who needs to put regular road blocks in her life to practice mindfulness? My children even connect with this. Unless invited for a book and cuddle during this time, everyone else seems to take a break when mom has a cuppa in her hand.
Today I'm drinking a special nettle infusion my friend JoAnne makes from the plants on her property down the road... mostly. It's nettle, peppermint, blackberry leaves along with some dried orange peel, clove and cinnamon. It's wonderful. Other days, I like to mix some dried or fresh leaves of nettle, mint and lemon balm. In the spring time, I think I can't get enough nettle infusion for it's minerals and whatever it might be doing to help my hay fever. Lemon balm is one of those calming herbs. And I simply can't have enough calming, frankly.
In the evenings, I like a straight infusion of oatstraw. I order a big bag of it from Mountain Rose Herbs. It's got a pleasant smokey taste... reminding me a little of the tea they serve at my favorite Korean Women's Spa up in Tacoma and Seattle.
Sometimes I try other things. These days as my body is getting on a bit and things are changing, and my PMS can sometimes take me by surprise. If I get one of those headaches, I infuse some sage leaves. And luckily for me, sage has leaves all year long, so if I don't have any dried, I need only go outside. Sage just speaks to me during those womanly days when the Red Tent is nowhere in sight. But then again, maybe it's just that I've sat myself down and given myself 15 minutes to relax and be mindful with my cup of tea... and my book or a cuddle.
How to make an infusion: It's just like making tea, really.
- Get a tea pot, french press or quart mason jar
- Boil the kettle
- Put fresh or dried herbs in your pot
- Pour boiling water over herbs
- Cover, and wrap in a towel or tea cozy to keep warm
- Let steep for 5 minutes to 8 hours (I understand that at 8 hours, you get the maxium amount of minerals extracted from the plant)
- Strain and drink.
Enthused.
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