Hello!

I have read different instructions on how to make herbal teas. I would like to find out which is the most effective method.

This website http://www.healingwiseforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=26398
explains how to make herbal infusions:

"Roots:
Use one ounce (a big handful of cut-up root, or half a dozen six inch pieces of whole root) of dried root in a pint jar. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Put the lid on the jar and let it sit at room temperature for eight hours.
Leaves:
Use one ounce of dried leaves (two handfuls of cut-up leaves or three handfuls of whole leaves) in a quart jar. Fill the jar up to the top with boiling water, put the lid on and let it steep four hours at room temperature.
Flowers:
Place one ounce of dried flowers (two big handfuls of crumbled-up flowers) in a quart jar. Fill the jar up to the top with boiling water, put on the lid and infuse for two hours.
Seeds:
Use one ounce of dried seeds, berries, hips, or haws (one to three tablespoons) in a pint jar and fill it to the top with boiling water. Screw on a lid and infuse no more than thirty minutes.
Combination Infusions:
When preparing infusions containing several herbs, it is generally best to brew the components separately so that each herb infuses for the proper length of time. This is unnecessary if the combination is all roots, or all leaves, or leaves and flowers treated like leaves, etc.

If you buy herbs which are already mixed and wish to infuse them, brew for the shortest time needed by any ingredient; for instance, a mix containing Chamomile should be steeped for no more than thirty minutes. Some medicinal potency will be lost this way, but you will avoid extracting bitter esters, oils, and resins which may cause unwanted side effects."

Is that the way that we should make herbal infusions?

If I want to make a blood cleansing infusion containing Burdock Root, Chickweed and Plantain, this is how I would proceed:

Put 1 ounce of dried burdock root into a pint jar. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Put the lid on the jar and let it sit at room temperature for eight hours.

Put 1 ounce of dried chickweed and 1 ounce of dried plantain into a pint jar. Fill the jar up to the top with boiling water, put the lid on and let it steep four hours at room temperature.

After straining the Burdock Root, the Chickweed and the Plantain, the infusion would be ready to be consumed. I could either drink the Burdock root tea separately from the other tea (Plantain+Chickweed) or mix it into it, so that I have only 1 tea.

- How long would such an infusion be good for?
- Should I keep it in the fridge?
- Can I drink it when cold?

It would be great to hear, whether this is a good way to make herbal infusions and if not, how we should make them.

I am looking forward to finding out more,
many healthy greetings,
Solmare