Herbs Can Be Simple

Making home herbal remedies can be as simple as putting loose-leaf herbs into a cup, pouring hot water over them, and letting them steep.

That’s it.

That’s an infusion.

Which is just a slightly fancier name for a long-brewed tea.

And these can be powerful for supporting health.

At one time, I thought I needed to know how to make tinctures and salves to really “do herbs.” I thought I had to understand extraction methods, ratios, bases, timing, shelf life. I felt like I needed a certification before I could even begin.

And the overwhelm kept me from doing anything at all.

What Unlocked the Door

NORA tea.

It became my gateway into feeling free to experiment. Feeling the steady, noticeable effects of something so simple gave me confidence. It reminded me that nourishment doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

That one blend opened a whole new layer of curiosity and learning for me. And it’s been deeply fulfilling.

Now I’m loving the simplicity of working from a small collection of herbs growing in my pantry. I’m learning them slowly. Discovering what they support. Being surprised by how much overlap there is in what different herbs gently nourish.

I feel like I’m on a journey of learning slow, long-lasting ways to sustain ourselves — mind and body. Ways to build resilience instead of chasing quick fixes.

If You Want to Begin

If you’re curious about herbs, and it feels overwhelming, bring it back to simple.

Pick two or three herbs that genuinely interest you.

Learn a little about them. Make sure they don’t conflict with anything for you personally.

Find them in loose-leaf form at your local health food store, in the bulk section. Not pills. Just the plant.

Buy a few ounces. It will likely cost less than you think.

Go home.

Put a spoonful in a cup.

Pour hot water over it.

Let it steep.

Enjoy the simplicity.

Enjoy the nourishment.

Start there.

On the Glamstead

You might even consider starting a few seeds now for a spring herbal garden. I’m already looking forward to chamomile, calendula, cilantro, and the perennials that quietly return each year.

 

Right now, this is the blend we’ve had on repeat:

Marshmallow root, infused overnight in room temperature water.

Marshmallow root is best prepared this way because its soothing properties are drawn out more gently in cool water rather than boiling.

Then equal parts of:

Lemon balm

Red raspberry leaf

Oatstraw

Hibiscus (mostly for color)

Here’s how I prepare it:

I place the marshmallow root in a pint mason jar, cover it with room temperature water, secure a lid, and let it sit overnight on the counter.

Separately, I place the other herbs into my French press. I pour boiling water over them and let them steep overnight as well.

In the morning, I strain the marshmallow root infusion and press down the French press. Then I combine both infusions into a large mason jar and store it in the refrigerator.

I’ll serve it straight, or dilute it with water, ice, and a bit of stevia.

Sometimes I make it more like a traditional tea using a cup steeper and drink it warm within the hour. The herbs haven’t been drawn out as deeply, but it’s still nourishing and wonderful.