Herbal teas, Infusions, Decoctions: Different Benefits.
Herbal teas, infusions, decoctions ... Not easy to navigate!
However, knowing how to make a difference allows us to make the best use of the plants of our grandmother's remedies.
A herbal tea is any preparation made from plants soaked in boiling water.
There are different ways to prepare these herbal teas depending on the type of plants used. Thus, we distinguish decoctions from infusions.
1. The decoctions
The purpose of a decoction is to extract the active ingredients from thick and woody parts of plants such as bark (birch), branches (thyme), roots (valerian) or seeds (flax) during cooking in the water.
How to do : put the plant in a pot of cold water, then bring the water to a boil. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to maximum.
Remember to cover to simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes. To put it simply, the thicker the plant, the longer the cooking time will be.
The decoction can be drunk cold or warmed.
2. The infusions
Herbal tea is the most common method used in herbal medicine (herbal care).
This preparation technique is used for leaves (mint), flowers (chamomile) and certain berries (cranberry) with thin skin.
How to do : boil some water. Put the plants in a cup and pour boiling water over them. Let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes, then drink the resulting mixture.
3. Retention period
In both cases, the resulting mixture can be kept for a day at the most.
This is why I advise you to prepare only the amount necessary for one use at a time.
Many of our modern medicines get their active ingredients from plants in our gardens.
Why deprive yourself of their benefits when it is simple and much cheaper to prepare home remedies?
And I'm not even talking about the impact of pharmaceutical company activity on the environment.
Even if we don't have a vegetable garden at home, it is easy to grow them in pots or find them ready to use in organic stores or herbalists.
Another way to be eco-friendly and thrifty!
4. How to use them?
Infusions, herbal teas and decoctions have a multitude of health and beauty benefits.
Here are some uses that you can do at home for herbal teas, infusions and decoctions of plants. They will only do you good. Look :
- The 8 most effective infusions for natural healing.
- Relieve conjunctivitis with an infusion of chamomile.
- Your hair is lacking in shine? Make an infusion of the cherry stems.
- A good herbal tea to sleep better at night.
- Eczema: the effective remedy of grandmother to know.
- The recipe for detox herbal tea with ginger to purify yourself.
- A recipe for herbal tea against constipation.
Precautions for use:
Grandmother's remedies are very effective in treating the little worries of everyday life.
They keep us from running to the pharmacy for a yes or a no.
But remember, if the symptoms persist, it is wiser to consult.
Your turn...
And you, which herbal tea is the best for you? Share your experience in the comments. We can't wait to hear from you!
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Also to discover:
63 Essential Medicinal Plants For Healing.
The First Aid Kit Based On 12 Medicinal Plants.