NaturalMedications

Medicinal infusions are generally brewed for maximum benefit from the herbs and hence are much more potent than teas. Susun Weed's method of brewing infusions involves a long steeping time to extract the most from the herbs used and results in a preparation with a great deal of plant matter.

To make an infusion in general it is best to use a sterile canning jar, quart or pint size is fine. To sterilize there are 2 methods I know of.  One is to boil water, pour it into the cleaned jar and allow to sit at least 15 minutes. The other method is to put the glass jars in an oven  and put the oven on at 250 degrees. Allow jars to be heat sterilized in the oven which takes about one hour. Please note that you MUST use heat tempered glass as a canning jar would be. Do not attempt to use regular glass from cosmetics and such because as soon as you attempt to sterilize it - it will break. Canning, jelly and SOME apothecary jars are heat tempered and therefore appropriate. Susun points out that canning jars are easy carry around, hold the brew well and easy to store.

Many parts of the plant can be used in an infusion. Please KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING when attempting to work with herbal matter. In some cases, the leaves of a plant may be generally safe to use- but the root may not be (comfrey could be an example of this) and vice versa. ALWAYS consult a qualified practitioner or doctor when in doubt. You are ultimately responsible for what you put in or on your body so please take the time to be informed. (see disclaimer) That being said, there are slightly different methods for infusing depending on the part of the plant you are using as follows:

Leaves

Use about 1 oz. (30 grams) of DRIED leaves per quart/liter jar. Fill jar to top with boiling water, cover with lid and let steep for 4 hours at room temp. Since leaves contain most of the chlorophyll of the plant, long steeping facilitates extraction of this beneficial property as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Covering in the steeping process keeps the valuable benefits IN the jar so they do not escape with the steam.

Flowers

Proportions for flowers are same as leaves given above. However, because the flower of the plant is more volatile and delicate- steep for only 2 hours. When flowers are a component of a blend of herbal parts like roots, leaves etc....brew the whole thing for 4 hours then to get the most you can from the total blend.

Seeds

Use 1 oz. (30 grams) of dried seeds, berries, hips or haws per pint (500ml) jar. Fill jar to top with boiling water, cover and let steep no more than 30 minutes. Seeds are designed naturally to open on contact with water and over brewing extracts bitter esters and oils into your infusion. There are some exception to this though like rosehips and hawthorn berries which may be steeped up to 4 hours.

Roots

When using roots for infusion apply 1 oz. (30 grams) per pint (500ml) jar. Fill to top with boiling water and let infuse for 8 hours. Roots are the most dense and potent aspect of the plant (generally). Their medicinal virtues are found in their alkaloids and minerals which dissolve quite slowly in water. Some herbalists boil roots and other heavier parts of the plant. If success is found for you with this method then it is also acceptable. However, Susun recommends the longer brew time without the application of external heat which, without careful watching and temperature, can easily and quickly cook most of the best properties of the plant right out of your brew with you being none the wiser. So if time is not a factor- you will get the most potent result with the room temp. method and extra time.

Bark

Bark proportions for infusion is the same as that of roots given above. Again, because of the tougher nature of this part of the plant, a longer  brewing is necessary to get the nourishing qualities into the brew.

About Combination's

When preparing combination infusions of several herb parts it is best to brew them separately and THEN combine them to get the best benefit. In the Wise Woman Tradition, the use of "simples", that is, single herbs are encouraged and when combination's are used, they rarely exceed three herbs to get the best feedback on the affects of each herb used.

About Dosage

Weight 125-150 pounds: 2 cups per day.

Weight 65-75 pounds: 1 cup per day.

Weight 30-40 pounds: 1/2 cup per day.

Note: in treating any infant or child consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor.