The Magic of Herbal Remedies.
Some people see quick-fix over-the-counter medicines as an easy solution to aches & pains, little realizing that the contents of their kitchen cupboard can produce the same results Herbal remedies are easy to make, inexpensive and extremely effective for a whole range of symptoms and ailments. They have few side-effects and strengthen your immune system as they heal, without using chemicals or artificial additives.
Making Herbal Infusions and Decoctions.
Infusions are made by steeping fresh and dried flowers or the leaves of herbs in hot water. These herbal teas are drunk without milk, although a little honey may be added to sweeten them. Infusions are most effective from the soft tops of herbaceous plants such as chamomile flowers and peppermint leaves.
Simple steps to make an infusion:
Choose a glass, enamel or porcelain teapot with a tight fitting lid. Warm the teapot with hot water and then empty.
Add 70g finely chopped fresh herbs or 25g dried herbs into the teapot.
Pour over 500ml of hot (not boiling) water and cover with the lid. Leave for 5-10 minutes for the herbs to properly infuse.
Strain some of the liquid through a tea strainer into a teacup, and the remaining fluid into a jug.
Sip slowly, adding a little honey to sweeten if desired.
Decoctions are a type of infusion that are prepared by simmering roots, bark and seeds in boiling water. This more vigorous method of extraction is needed to soften the woody parts of the plant tissue to release valuable minerals and alkaloids. Decoctions can be made from roots such as ginger and ginseng, bark such as cinnamon, and seeds such as fennel.
Simple steps to make a decoction:
Take 60g fresh herbs or 30g dried herbs and crush with a pestle and mortar.
Place in an enamel or stainless steel pan and add 750ml cold water. Bring to the boil and gently simmer for 20-30 minutes until the volume of the liquid has reduced by a third.
Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain through a sieve into a jug.
Pour into a teacup, sipping slowly. A little honey or lemon juice can be added if desired. About three cups a day is a handy intake.
Ideal Herbs for Infusions and Decoctions.
Nettle; Ginseng; Burdock; Peppermint; Clove; Feverfew; Cinnamon; Elderflower
Warming Decoction.
This warming, cold-busting decoction will keep respiratory infections at bay.
Break 2-3 long cinnamon sticks into pieces. Peel and slice 4cm ginger root. Simmer the spices in 500ml water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and add a tablespoon of honey.
Drink 2-3 cups a day during a cold to strengthen and warm the body. The honey has the added benefit of being antiviral.
Sedative Infusion.
A nightcap of this blend of sedative herbs will promote relaxation and a restful night's sleep
Add 10g each of dried chamomile, lemon balm and linden flowers to a warmed teapot. Infuse in 300ml hot water for 5-10 minutes.
The beneficial effects of these soothing herbs are cumulative, so make this tea as part of your bedtime routine every night.
Some people see quick-fix over-the-counter medicines as an easy solution to aches & pains, little realizing that the contents of their kitchen cupboard can produce the same results Herbal remedies are easy to make, inexpensive and extremely effective for a whole range of symptoms and ailments. They have few side-effects and strengthen your immune system as they heal, without using chemicals or artificial additives.
Making Herbal Infusions and Decoctions.
Infusions are made by steeping fresh and dried flowers or the leaves of herbs in hot water. These herbal teas are drunk without milk, although a little honey may be added to sweeten them. Infusions are most effective from the soft tops of herbaceous plants such as chamomile flowers and peppermint leaves.
Simple steps to make an infusion:
Choose a glass, enamel or porcelain teapot with a tight fitting lid. Warm the teapot with hot water and then empty.
Add 70g finely chopped fresh herbs or 25g dried herbs into the teapot.
Pour over 500ml of hot (not boiling) water and cover with the lid. Leave for 5-10 minutes for the herbs to properly infuse.
Strain some of the liquid through a tea strainer into a teacup, and the remaining fluid into a jug.
Sip slowly, adding a little honey to sweeten if desired.
Decoctions are a type of infusion that are prepared by simmering roots, bark and seeds in boiling water. This more vigorous method of extraction is needed to soften the woody parts of the plant tissue to release valuable minerals and alkaloids. Decoctions can be made from roots such as ginger and ginseng, bark such as cinnamon, and seeds such as fennel.
Simple steps to make a decoction:
Take 60g fresh herbs or 30g dried herbs and crush with a pestle and mortar.
Place in an enamel or stainless steel pan and add 750ml cold water. Bring to the boil and gently simmer for 20-30 minutes until the volume of the liquid has reduced by a third.
Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain through a sieve into a jug.
Pour into a teacup, sipping slowly. A little honey or lemon juice can be added if desired. About three cups a day is a handy intake.
Ideal Herbs for Infusions and Decoctions.
Nettle; Ginseng; Burdock; Peppermint; Clove; Feverfew; Cinnamon; Elderflower
Warming Decoction.
This warming, cold-busting decoction will keep respiratory infections at bay.
Break 2-3 long cinnamon sticks into pieces. Peel and slice 4cm ginger root. Simmer the spices in 500ml water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and add a tablespoon of honey.
Drink 2-3 cups a day during a cold to strengthen and warm the body. The honey has the added benefit of being antiviral.
Sedative Infusion.
A nightcap of this blend of sedative herbs will promote relaxation and a restful night's sleep
Add 10g each of dried chamomile, lemon balm and linden flowers to a warmed teapot. Infuse in 300ml hot water for 5-10 minutes.
The beneficial effects of these soothing herbs are cumulative, so make this tea as part of your bedtime routine every night.
The Neapolitan infuser/decocter:
ReplyDeleteThe filter allows the preparation and serving of one to six cups of infusion or decoction, only using the elegant Inox Neapolitan coffee pot, (without resorting to pots, covers and strainers.)
The filter for infusions and decoctions with the Neapolitan coffee pot is simple to use: Put the cut herbs in the small basket at the one end of the tubular filter. To prepare an infusion, insert the entire filter into the Neapolitan coffee pot so that the herbs remain at the top, i.e., they are not immersed in the water. Remove from the heat, turn the infuser/decocter upside down and the boiling water will cover the herbs. Wait for the time it takes to infuse and serve by pouring with the Neapolitan coffee pot. It is better than using a coffee plunger or french press and very good for ROASTED BARLEY TEA.
For a decoction the filter is placed at the opposite end so that the herbs remain immersed in the water while it is simmered on a low heat for the required length of time. To serve, simply turn it upside down. For Italian companies Ilsa and Stella make the filter in stainless steel to add to their Neapolitan coffee maker.
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