Solar & Lunar Infusions

Solar and Lunar Infusions

Have you ever considered the sun as an option for preparing your herbal teas and oils? Both the Sun and the Moon, though distinctively different in their energy fields, provide powerful healing rays. The sun's energy is deeply healing for imbalances such as depression, mood swings and those times when you need a little extra warmth in your core. The moon's healing energy can be felt in the more acute, eruptive type imbalances and it aids balance to a woman’s gentle femininity. She can be used for dreaming, and reawakening your creativity energies.

BREWING HERBAL TEAS:

Infusions

Infusions are used when preparing the more fragile parts of the plant; i.e. leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers and those roots with a high concentration of volatile oils. Infusing the easily rendered vitamins, minerals, tannins, mucilage, delicate volatile oils, and many of the plant’s chemical constituents.

Herbs rich in volatile oils ~ such as ginger, chamomile, cinnamon, catnip, mint, lemon balm, lemon grass, lavender, bergamot, fennel, anise, and cumin seeds. These make lovely teas which are effective in easing spasms, stimulating digestion, eliminating pain, and inducing sleep. Since much of the volatile oils are lost when herbs are dried, fresh herbs are considered best for teas rich in these, but dried herbs can be used with great success.

Herbs rich in colouring compounds ~ such as hibiscus, rose hips, calendula, and black tea ~ make enticing and tasty teas. They may also contain polyphenols, phytochemicals know to help prevent cancer. Since colouring compounds and polyphenols are fairly stable, dried herbs are considered best results for teas rich in these.

I love a cup of hot tea, but teas fail to deliver the mineral richness locked into many common herbs. A cup of nettle tea, for instance, contains only 5-10mg of calcium, while a cup of nettle infusion contains up to 500mg of calcium, For optimum nutrition, I love drink nourishing infusions daily.

It is also important to mention the importance of covering your teas and infusions while brewing. In doing this all your medicinal properties in the herb are then infused into the water and they are not evaporated out. As they would be if left uncovered.

There are Three methods commonly used for making Infusion:

1. Place the herb(s) in a container with a tight fitting lid and pour boiling water over them. Quickly cover the container. Allow to steep for 10 to 20 minutes. The length of steeping time will depend on the herbs being used and the active plant constituents you wish to extract.

2. A stronger medicinal infusion can be made by placing the herb(s) in a pan with cold water. Place a tight fitting lid on the pan and slowly over a very low heat, bring the water to the boiling point. Take the brew off the heat just before it begins to boil. This method makes a stronger and more effective infusion but is not necessary nor appropriate for all medicinal herbs.

3. You may wish to make a very strong infusion by employing either methods 1 & 2. Or another option is to put 1 ounce dry herb(s) by weight in a quart canning jar. Fill the jar with boiling water, cap well, and allow to steep for four hours or overnight. Strain and enjoy. Refrigerate the remainder and drink within 36 hours. You can make 3 or 4 jars of these the night before. Wake up, strain your infusions and there you have your teas made for the day. This is a nutritious jammed packed infusion.

Solar Infusion

There are two distinct methods:

• Infuse the herb(s) as instructed above. Place the already infused tea in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and set it in a warm sunny spot for several hours.

• The other method used is not Not cook the herbs at all, but to place them in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Put it in a hot, sunny spot for several hours. This method will not extract the same amount of chemicals and plant material as when cooked, however the chemicals of the herbs are only measurable aspects of its healing properties There are far greater forces at work than we can even imagine.

Lunar Infusion

When preparing Lunar teas you are employing the subtle lights and soft heat of the Moon. You are inducing the intuition, the enchanted and mysterious aspects of life. You are calling upon the unknown; the Lunar energy that mankind has always feared, the mystical, enchanted energy of the night!

To Prepare a Lunar Tea:

• Place the herb(s) in an open crystal glass or bowl. It is ideal, if possible, to use fresh herbs and flowers. Cover the mixture with fresh water and place directly in the Moon light. Do not cover the brew. Allow to infuse in the Moon light all night and drink first thing upon arising. Try this marvelous way to experience the vibrational energies of the herbs.

Source: Rosemary Gladstar, Master Herbalist & Wise Woman