Wise Women Healing: Infusions & Decoctions

The building blocks of herbal medicine making.

I’ve decided that calling my paid subscribers “paid subscribers” is boring, unimaginative and reductive. So from this point forward they will be known as wise women.

So, my wonderful wise women, today is the day we take our first steps in making herbal medicine. Today, I'll guide you through the process of creating an overnight herbal infusion— the foundational step and a simple yet powerful building block in herbal healing. And then we'll learn about decoctions.

An infusion is simply the process of macerating herbs in a liquid (known as the menstrum) to extract their medicinal compounds. While making a cup of herbal tea might be the most basic type of herbal medicine, an overnight infusion takes it one step further, allowing you to unlock more nutrients and healing properties from your chosen herb.

Why Start with an Overnight Infusion?

Because it's simple, anyone can do it, and the medicine you can extract from this simple process is profound. Leaving your herbs steep for at least 8 hours allows the water to draw out the plant's nutrients, ensuring you benefit from your herb's full range of medicinal properties.

What You'll Need:

• Your herb of choice

• A heatproof glass jug (1-litre size is ideal)

• Hot water

How to Make an Overnight Herbal Infusion: A Step-by-Step Guide