Let’s talk about how to make loose leaf tea. Ever since I started making loose leaf tea a few years ago my life changed. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. By working with medicinal herbs, I’ve healed so many imbalances.

Each morning upon waking I scan my physical body to see if there are any aches, pains, congestion, inflammation, or dryness. I also consider where I am within my moon cycle. Then I consider my mental/emotional state. Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Am I feeling scattered, anxious, frustrated, easily agitated, lethargic, or feeling sad.

From there I meditate about what plants I should be working with that day. This takes maybe a few seconds. Once I open my cabinet and see all of my half-gallon mason jars full of herbs, spices, flowers, and roots it’s like the plants jump into my hands.

Depending on what plants I’m working with then determine how I am going to make my tea.

There are several ways to make loose leaf tea. Each have their own intention and brewing method.

Herbal preparation is like an art that you create right in your kitchen. While most people are accustomed to tea bags, there is more potency and medicinal benefits that come from loose leaf tea.

For starters, there is simply more plant matter in a cup of loose leaf tea. If you were to open a commercial tea bag you would find finely ground up herbs that are most likely old and stale. Secondly, most tea bags have harmful chemicals, dyes, and bleach.

How to Make Loose Leaf Tea

Once you start drinking loose leaf tea there is no going back to tea bags.

The Best Tea Pot Material

When it comes to making your tea there is a common rule amongst most herbalists. DO NOT use copper or aluminum to make your tea. Both of these materials can be harmful to the plant itself and sometimes the human body.

The overall favored cooking receptacles are glass, stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, or enamel.

Personally, I like to use a stainless steel tea kettle to boil my water. From there I steep my herbs in a glass mason jar and tightly cover it with a lid.

Guidelines for Brewing Loose Leaf Tea

Infusions

One of the most common, and easiest, ways to make loose leaf tea is by way of an infusion. This is best suited for parts of the plant that are considered most fragile such as the leaf, flower, fruit, seed, or roots that have volatile oils. Goldenseal and Valerian are two examples of roots that are best made by infusion.

Herbal infusions extract vitamins, minerals, mucilage, volatile oils, and tannins.

Let’s talk about how to make tea infusions:

First Method

Place plant matter in a container, such as a mason jar, and pour boiling water over top. Tightly cover with a lid so the oils or aromas won’t escape. Allow the tea to steep for 10-20 minutes depending on the types of herbs you are using and the plant constituents that you are wanting to extract.

Second Method

For a stronger infusion you can place the herbs in a small pot and cover with cold water. Place a lid over the pot and then slowly begin to bring the water to an (almost) boil. It’s really important to do this on very low heat so you don’t damage the plant by bringing it to extremely high heat too fast. Just before the water starts to boil take the pot off of the heat. Allow to cool to your desired temperate and enjoy!

This method makes the infusion slightly more medicinal in its effects.

Third Method

Make a strong infusion using one of the methods above. After making the infusion, cover with a lid, and allow it to sit overnight.

Solar Tea Infusion

The qualities of the sun are sharp, bright, energizing, and warm. When it comes to making a solar infusion you want to think about the qualities and energetic affects a solar infusion will have on your tea.

Solar energy is more enthusiastic so it’s great for Kapha imbalances such as depression, lethargy, or melancholy. It’s also great for warming up Vata imbalances like mood swings and coldness.

How to Make a Solar Tea Infusion

First Method

Infuse the herbs first by using one of the methods above. Pour the infusion in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Place in a warm sunny spot for several hours. Strain and enjoy!

Second Method

Instead of cooking a tea instead you will simple place the herbs and water in jar with a lid. Place in a warm sunny spot for several hours. This method will not extract the same amount of medicinal benefits, however, the energetics of this method is still amazing and subtle.

Lunar Tea Infusion

The qualities of the moon are subtle, dark, feminine, and more nurturing. Her healing energy is great for sharp and heated imbalances that can occur within Pitta like anger, aggressiveness, or heated blood. It can also be balancing for a frazzled Vata that cannot settle down. Moonlight is amazing at bringing in gentle and calming energy that can awake the creative energy that resides in all of us.

How to Make a Lunar Tea Infusion

The classical way is to place the herbs and water in a crystal with no lid. However, I live by the beach, and I don’t know about you, but there will be a thousand bugs in my tea by morning. So this is my preferred method. I also prefer a lunar infusion when the moon is full. There is more potent and vibrational energy associated with a beautiful full moon.

1. Place the herbs and fresh water in a glass jar. Cover with a lid. Place on it’s side so the moonlight can directly penetrate the water. Allow the moonlight to infuse overnight. Strain and drink first thing upon waking in the morning.

Decoctions

Decoctions are most suitable for harder plant matter such as roots, bark, non-aromatic seeds, or nuts. I’ve personally found tea decoctions to be more bold in flavor and thicker in viscosity. Denser plant matter such as roots and bark have so much dense matter that you can brew the same batch of herbs several times before discarding. Although the second, third, or even fourth batch can be milder in flavor and medicinal benefits are not as potent, it is still a great way to draw out medicinal properties. Not to mention, you’re not wasting precious herbs before they are ready to be composted.

How to Make a Tea Decoction

First Method

Bring water in a pot to boil and add the herbs. Place an airtight lid over the pot. On low heat, simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, and enjoy!

Second Method

Add herbs to cold water in a pot. Cover with an airtight lid. Turn to low heat and then bring the water slowly to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, and enjoy!

Third Method

Make the tea decoction using either method above. After removing from the heat, let it sit overnight.

Which Method for making loose leaf tea should you choose?

When it comes to how to make loose leaf tea it really comes down to what type of plant matter you are working with. For fragile plant matter like leaves or flowers then make an infusion. For harder plant matter, like roots or bark, then try a decoction.

Making loose leaf tea is about experimentation and observation. Try each one and see what you like most.

Have questions? Shoot me a DM or comment below!