I had an interesting interaction with a customer at the co-op just the other day. A woman was disappointed that we didn’t carry “Chamomile Tea” in bulk herbs. When I pointed out a full jar of sunny yellow, honey scented flowers labeled “Chamomile” she looked surprised, “Is that the same stuff they use in the tea?”
This type of interaction is not uncommon in the bulk herbs department, and I realized that there is a popular misconception when it comes to the difference between “tea” and “herbs.” Part of this confusion might be due to the fact that there are technically two definitions for “tea,” one referring to the tea plant, Camelia sinensis, from which all “tea leaves” are derived (I am specifically referring to black, green, and white teas). The other definition refers to the actual preparation of steeping herbs or fruit in hot water to extract their flavor and beneficial health properties. Any herb can be prepared as a tea. For clarity purposes, from here on I will differentiate the two by referring to the tea plant as “tea” and the preparation of herbs in a hot water extraction as an “herbal tea.”
In my opinion, tea (in both cases) is one of the most under rated methods of taking herbs. We all know the wonderful antioxidant properties of black, green, and white teas. All three supply a friendly amount of anti-oxidants and Theanine, an amino acid shown to ease physical and mental stress, as well as improve mood and cognition. Additionally, taking herbs as an herbal tea, rather than in a capsule, is a very efficient way to assimilate the vitamins, minerals, and other health giving properties that they contain into our bodies. Especially during the cold seasons, a hot herbal tea is a soothing and delicious way to supplement extra nutrition into your daily regiment. Think of it as a way of drinking your vitamins! A hot beverage is therapeutic in its own right. Taking the time to prepare and enjoy your own herbal tea can be a stress relieving meditative daily practice, aiding both in your physical and mental health.
Many herbs are high in vitamins and minerals, and many of their nutritive properties are water soluble, meaning that they extract especially well into water. For a sore throat or a cough, preparing an herbal tea of slippery elm helps to extract the plant’s mucilaginous (slick and somewhat slimy) components and deposit them directly where they are needed – down the hatch, on the walls of the throat! Add a bit of raw honey and you’ve just increased your herbal tea’s antiviral potential, and enlisted another sticky soothing agent to help coat the inflamed tissue.
While an herbal tea is made by infusing herbs into water (usually 1-2 teaspoons per cup), an “herbal infusion” is a similar type of preparation that requires larger amounts of herbs and a longer steeping time to obtain a more significant concentration of nutritional benefits. A typical herb to water ratio in an herbal infusion is one weighted ounce of herb to one quart of water. A common way to prepare an herbal infusion is to fill a large mason jar with the suggested amount of herbs, bring water to not-quite-a-boil on the stove, pour the water over the herbs in the jar and screw on the lid, then let it infuse for 4 hours. When it’s done infusing, you can strain out the plant material before drinking. One easy way to do this is to prepare your infusion before bed, let it steep overnight, and sip happily the next morning! What a great way to start your day! You can also store your infusion in the refrigerator safely for 1-2 days, generally.
Nettle leaf is also a wonderful example of an herb that really benefits from a water extraction. Nettle leaf is known to contain high amounts of iron, calcium, chlorophyll, and vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron and zinc. It is also a good source of vitamins A, D, K and E and has long been a popular herb for allergy complaints, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties.
Nettle is also one of a number of herbs that are considered to have a “tonic” effect on the body. A tonic herb is one that is generally accepted as safe to consume over a longer period and contains nourishing and restorative properties to gently strengthen the system over time. Tonic herbs are fantastic candidates for herbal infusions. Other tonic herbs include oat straw, dandelion root, and raspberry leaf. A tonic dose is usually 2-4 cups daily, and is best used preventatively. This practice encourages toning of the body systems in order to be well prepared to fend off icky bugs that characterize the cold seasons (similar to the way that going to the gym every day will prepare you to safely run a marathon). However, if a seasonal bug does happen to get the best of you, both infusions and herbal teas are still greatly helpful after the onset of a cold or flu to promote healing and restoration – and dang it, they’re just so downright tasty! Swing by bulk herbs and ask me about more of my favorite herbs for herbal teas and infusions, and in the mean time, happy and healthy sipping to you all!
*As always, if you are pregnant, nursing, on certain medications, or are prone to allergies, it is suggested that you consult a trusted health practitioner before beginning to take herbs regularly.
*For more information about making nutritive herbal infusions, check out Susun Weed’s blog, at http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm.
