Herbal teas were used for thousands of years for their health benefits prior to modern medicine. Also herbs have enormous magickal power, as they hold the earth’s energy within them. Brewing and creating teas are a simple and enjoyable way to include magick into your daily life and activities. By combining herbs with specific correspondences, energies, magickal properties or holistic benefits, you can create teas that are able to aid or enhance your work as whole.
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When brewing an herbal tea it is important that your thoughts, intentions and energies are being mixed into the tea as you prepare it. I include tea in many of my rituals, spells, offerings, before or after mediation practices, etc. For the magickal practitioner brewing hot tea is a blend of invocation and harmony of the Elements.
- Earth is represented by the botanicals you are brewing.
- Water is the medium in which that plants are infused into.
- Fire is what heats the water so that the fusion may occur.
- Air is represented by the steam rising from the brew
Understanding the different ways to use herbs
Each herb has unique properties that can enhance one’s magickal goals. Herbs also have medicinal properties. The magickal practitioner can draw upon both aspects when working with the herb. It is important to understand not only the proper medicinal uses of the herb, but also its magickal correspondences.
While some herbs work very quickly, many herbal medicines take time to work. Rather than suppressing a symptom, they work by strengthening the body. Herbal medicine can sometimes take longer than conventional remedies to work; however, they provide long-lasting benefits that conventional preparations do not. |
Herbal Teas or Tisanes, Tinctures, Decoctions and Infusions
- Tisane: A tisane is a brewed herbal tea that is made from any plant except Camellia Sinesis (the real tea plant)
- Tincture: A tincture is an extract that is made by placing the herbs or plant material in a jar with a form of alcohol (like ethanol) and allowing it to steep for a few weeks before it is strained. At times glycerin or vinegar is used in place of alcohol
- Decoction: A decoction is made by boiling mashed or ground up plant materials in water before straining it.
- Infusion: An infusion is like a decoction or tisane but tends to be more potent. The plant materials are usually soaked in boiling water or oil for awhile.
Instructions for Herbal Tea
There are several methods for making a Tea/Tisane
Hot Water Infusion;
Place your dried or fresh leafy herbs or seeds in a mason jar.
Pour hot water over the plant material.
Put the lid on loosely to infuse them in the water solution.
Wait 20 minutes and strain out the liquid.
Cold Water Infusion;
Other less common method is called a solar infusion. This is created by using the heat of the sun to infuse your herbs. To make a solar infusion place the herbs in water in a sealed glass jar and leave in a warm sunlit location for several hours.
Moon tea is also a nice cold infusion to bring in feminine energy to the tea. Lemon balm, motherwort, blessed thistle, cramp bark make a great moon tea during a full moon.
Different elements are broken down with each method of infusion using fresh or dry herbs. To help decide which herbs are best for cold infusion, I highly recommend Michael Moore’s list at:
http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/CldInfus.txt
Place your dried or fresh leafy herbs or seeds in a mason jar.
Pour hot water over the plant material.
Put the lid on loosely to infuse them in the water solution.
Wait 20 minutes and strain out the liquid.
Cold Water Infusion;
Other less common method is called a solar infusion. This is created by using the heat of the sun to infuse your herbs. To make a solar infusion place the herbs in water in a sealed glass jar and leave in a warm sunlit location for several hours.
Moon tea is also a nice cold infusion to bring in feminine energy to the tea. Lemon balm, motherwort, blessed thistle, cramp bark make a great moon tea during a full moon.
Different elements are broken down with each method of infusion using fresh or dry herbs. To help decide which herbs are best for cold infusion, I highly recommend Michael Moore’s list at:
http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/CldInfus.txt
Instructions for Infusions
The Standard Infusion;
To make a standard infusion, simply pour one cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herbs or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs Just increase the amount of herbs and water proportionally if you want a larger batch) . Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.
To make a standard infusion, simply pour one cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herbs or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs Just increase the amount of herbs and water proportionally if you want a larger batch) . Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.
~Warning~
As herbal teas can be composed of any plant material, including some plants that are known to be toxic, the specific ingredients must be checked individually for health and safety. Most retail herbal teas sold as beverages could be considered safe, but medicinal herbal teas could easily contain herbs that cause damage in large amounts.
Always be aware of the herbs you are using, be cautious of the amounts you are adding. Herbal teas are not meant to be a replacement for any medication ordered by your Dr. and you should discuss your use of herbal teas with your Dr. to be sure there are no adverse side effects with your prescribed medications.
As herbal teas can be composed of any plant material, including some plants that are known to be toxic, the specific ingredients must be checked individually for health and safety. Most retail herbal teas sold as beverages could be considered safe, but medicinal herbal teas could easily contain herbs that cause damage in large amounts.
Always be aware of the herbs you are using, be cautious of the amounts you are adding. Herbal teas are not meant to be a replacement for any medication ordered by your Dr. and you should discuss your use of herbal teas with your Dr. to be sure there are no adverse side effects with your prescribed medications.