Bulk herbal teas are a warming, nourishing, contemplative way to experience slow medicine and bring yourself into the present moment. Drinking teas or decoctions encourages mindfulness and has many additional health benefits. Although many products can be made from bulk herbs, including salves, liniments, oils, lotions, tinctures, tablets, and gummies, the main ways to drink them are in the form of teas and decoctions.
image1: bulk Chinese herbal formula for clearing heat the eyes
Teas and Decoctions A tea is a light infusion (also called a tisane, a word with French, Latin, and Greek roots meaning “crushed barley” or “to winnow, crush, or peel”) of herbs that can be consumed casually with meals or throughout the day. The word “infusion” comes from Middle English, French, and Latin, meaning “a liquid extract (obtained by pouring in water)” or “a pouring in, a watering.” Teas have medicinal properties, but are used with or between meals for enjoyment with added health benefits. They are powerful slow medicine, and are more medicinal when used often and consistently for a specific purpose. Decoctions on the other hand, are stronger and more concentrated slow medicine, as the herbs involved are usually combined in larger amounts and boiled two or three times for longer periods (30-40 minutes each boil). The result is a brew with a stronger sensory palate (flavor, smell, and color) that has much stronger (and often more targeted) medicinal effects. The word “decoction” also has Old French and Latin origins, meaning “a liquor in which an animal or vegetable substance has been boiled,” “an act of boiling water,” or “to boil down.”
image 2: bulk Chinese herbal formula for damp-heat
Teas
To make a tea, you will need a stainless steel teapot or pot and a good source of water. Filtered water is the best in my opinion; most water sources these days are contaminated at some level. I highly recommend Berkey table top filters for your home. A stainless steel tea steeper or infuser will make your herbal tea experience much easier and more enjoyable. Get two, so you can share a cup with a friend! Source your herbal tea. Suggestions include Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene, Oregon, Avena Botanicals in coastal Maine, or your local co-op. Decide how much tea to use ~ I use the celestial cup steeper and usually use half a steeper full or more of tea. I then re-use the tea in the steeper several times. Sometimes I refrigerate it with used tea to prolong its life for at least one more cup! Pour boiling water over the tea in your steeper. I like to use this method with leaves and flowers. For stems, you can boil directly in the pan or use a steeper as well. You can actually boil leaves and flowers directly, but they tend to be more delicate and the vital medicinal substances can be destroyed more easily in this way; i recommend pouring boiled water over leaves and flowers in your steeper to protect and collect the medicinals that way. I recommend using a hand-crafted mug that will hold the heat of your tea for longer periods and serve as a nice hand warmer at the same time. When pouring water into a glass, advice is to use a metal spoon to absorb the heat and make your glass less likely to break. Allow tea to steep in the water for 3-5 minutes and enjoy the flavor in your coziest setting. I like to use a small handmade pottery dish to put my celestial infuser in after the tea has steeped long enough. It helps catch the water and prevent a mess. Alternatively, solar and lunar tea infusions can be made by steeping the loose bulk herbs directly in water (in a large glass jar with tight-fitting lid) in the moonlight or sunlight for as many hours or days/nights as desired; the herbs can be loose in the water, in which case you will want to strain them through cheesecloth or a similar material or tie the herbs into a loose cheesecloth bundle and allow them to soak in the water that way to avoid the straining process later.
image 3: tea infusing in celestial steeper and mug, with handmade pottery bowl
Tea Materials Needed
Boiling the herbs: You will need a small stainless steel pot or tea kettle and clean drinking water. Berkey table top filters are great for filtering tap water!
Sourcing your herbs: Mt. Rose Herbs, Avena Botanicals, local co-ops
Solar and Lunar Infusing: All you need is the sun and/or moon, a large glass jar with tight-fitting lid, a good water source, and time to steep if choosing the solar or lunar methods. A shorter amount of time needed to use the boiling water method.
Pouring off the herbs: stainless steel strainer or cheesecloth, stainless steel tea steeper (i like the celestial sun, moon, and stars steepers that sit in your cup), an additional small stainless steel pot, and a medium-to-large spoon. You may also want a small plate or cup to put the tea infuser in once the tea has steeped long enough.
Storing: glass jars if you are making a lot to share or save for later
image 4: roots, twigs, berries, and seeds can be infused or decocted
Decoctions
To make an herbal decoction, you will need a medium-to-large stainless steel pot and a stainless steel strainer. Filtered water is ideal, especially as this brew is intended to be medicinal. Some herbs will need to be pre-boiled and some will be added post-boil. The rest of the herbs will be added to your stainless steel pot with 5-6 cups of water. Soak for at least an hour, or even overnight/all day. Boil the water quickly and then turn down to a slow simmer for 30-40 minutes. This process can be repeated as many times as you like to get the goodness out of the herbs. I learned in herbs class at my acupuncture school to do it at least twice (I do it three times) as so much vitality is lost if the boil is only done once. After each boil, strain the water from the herbs and save it in a separate container. Another stainless steel pot works well for this, as the herbs will be hot and you will have more decoction to add to them after the second and third boils. Add less water to the second and third boils (~4 cups). If you add more water than that, you will just have a very large amount of decoction to drink at the end. More water does not equal more medicinal value. Complete the second and third boils and strains, and allow the herbs to cool. Pour into glass jars. Use the metal spoon to absorb heat if the formula is still warm or hot when transferring into glass. Store in the refrigerator for ~3-5 days, consuming 2-3 cups per day after meals or as directed by your provider. Remember, decoctions are strong medicinals. If you notice any symptoms such as dryness, rashes, fatigue, excess energy, or other unusual or new symptoms, discontinue use immediately and consult your healthcare provider. For Western herbs, I like using this method for root-based herbals, as it takes longer to get the goodness out and they are more hardy - able to withstand longer boils better than leaves or flowers.
image 5: bulk herbs for Gui Zhi Tang for expelling exterior Wind-Cold
Decoction Materials Needed
Boiling the herbs: You will need medium-to-large stainless steel pot and clean drinking water. Once again, Berkey table top filters are great!
Sourcing the herbs: Chinese herbal dispensaries in traditional China- or Japan-towns, or at acupuncture colleges such as the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine or National University of Natural Medicine, New England School of Acupuncture, Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Emperor’s are great places to get bulk Chinese herbal formulas. Usually these need to be prescribed, so you can sign up for an herbal consult. Many schools are doing these via telehealth now, or you can find a practitioner licensed in your state who can do in-person or telehealth consults. I am licensed in Maine and Oregon and can do both in-person or telehealth appointments for herbs. For western herbs, some potential sources include Mt. Rose Herbs, Avena Botanicals, or any local co-op.
Soaking and simmering: take time to plan ahead at least 24 hours before making your decoction so that you have time to soak and boil the herbs before consuming
Pouring off the herbs: You will need a stainless steel strainer or cheesecloth, an additional medium-to-large stainless steel pot, and a medium-to-large spoon.
Storing: glass jars are the best way to store dry and decocted herbs.
Sources
PDX Points. Published June 2020. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.pdxpoints.com/nutrition-chinese-herbs
Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Published 2021-2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.etymonline.com/word/tisane#:~:text=tisane%20(n.),peel%22%20(see%20pestle).
Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Published 2021-2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=decoction
Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Published 2021-2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.etymonline.com/word/infusion
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