Medicinal Infusion Vs. Herbal Tea

While an herbal ‘tea’ is a wonderful beverage to sip at anytime of day, a 3 minute dipped ‘tea’ bag does not provide all of the medicinal components of the herbs within it but rather the aromatics and essence. When working with someone and using herbs as a source of healing or seeking some sort of physiological effect, a medicinal infusion is necessary. To brew a medicinal infusion you are looking to steep your herbs for 15 minutes to overnight and yes the temperature of the water may matter depending on herbs of choice and physiological effect desired. For instance yarrow steeped in hot water will initiate diaphoresis therefore providing it during the onset of a fever becomes a wonderful ally. However yarrow brewed in cool or room temperature water will not stimulate diaphoresis in the human body. Pretty cool, right?

Another small note is that an herbal tea should contain Camellia sinensis which is of the Theaceae family. If there is no “tea” in your tea it may otherwise be properly labeled herbal infusion.