How to Make a Nourishing Herbal Infusion
A nourishing infusion is one of the simplest and most effective ways to work with mineral-rich herbs. It’s stronger than a typical tea, steeped for several hours to draw out the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
These infusions are especially lovely for supporting energy, mood, and overall vitality—like a daily cup of green nourishment from the garden.
My favorite infusions and herbs we grow on our farm are nettle and milky oats infusions. These mineral-rich balancing herbs are perfect for infusions. Below we’ll provide details on how to make a simple nourishing infusion.
What You’ll Need:
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1 oz (about 1 cup) dried herb by weight
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1 quart (4 cups) boiling water
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A quart-size mason jar with a lid
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A strainer
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Optional: honey, lemon, or a splash of juice
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Measure the herb
Place about 1 ounce by weight (roughly 1 cup if loosely packed) of dried herb into a heatproof jar. This is significantly more than what you’d use for a cup of tea but you can sip on an infusion over a day or several days. -
Add boiling water
Pour 4 cups of freshly boiled water over the herbs, filling the jar to the top. -
Cover and steep
Cap the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 4–10 hours, or overnight. This long steeping time allows the plant’s nutrients to fully infuse into the water. -
Strain and refrigerate
Strain out the herbs and store the liquid in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2–3 days. -
Drink and enjoy
Sip throughout the day, warm or cold. Add a little honey or lemon if you like—but many herbs taste lovely just as they are. If you are new to infusions you may want to add some honey to sweeten. Milky oats and nettle infusions can take a little getting used to as these grounding earthy tones are different than the typical sweet tea.
If you're looking for something a little more refreshing uplifting and tangy check out our post on making an herbal shrub.
Herbs We Love for Nourishing Infusions:
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Nettle – deeply mineral-rich, energizing, supports iron levels
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Oatstraw – soothing to the nervous system, gentle and slightly sweet
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Red clover – supports lymphatic flow and gentle detox
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Linden – calming and heart-soothing
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Tulsi (Holy Basil) – adaptogenic and uplifting
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Milky oats – deeply restorative for stress and burnout
(Links above point to the farm-grown small-batch Organic herbs we grow)
You can use these individually or blend them depending on your needs. Just keep the total herb amount to about 1 ounce per quart.
A Few Notes:
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Use dried herbs, not fresh, for the best nutrient extraction.
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These infusions are food-like in strength—gentle but powerful over time.
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Think of it like drinking a daily herbal broth. Your body will recognize the nourishment.
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