Mineralizing Herbal Infusion (Tea)

Making an infusion (long steeping herbal tea) is such a simple way to increase our mineral intake and absorption!  Almost all of us are needing more minerals and mineral deficiency is at the root of so many health and wellness challenges.  Increasing minerals has been shown to support healing in depression, anxiety, various autoimmune disorders, allergies, sleep issues, low immune system, weight issues, adrenal fatigue, cravings, addictions, tooth decay, osteoporosis and so much more.  

Most herbal infusions contain large quantities of calcium, magnesium, trace minerals and other minerals, in their most absorbable form. They also contain essential fatty acids, vitamins and protein. In addition, they each have particular medicinal qualities, actions and uses.

This is a simple recipe that I like.  You can add anything to your daily infusion if you are looking to address additional wellness concerns with herbs.  I think that you'll find that this recipe has a pleasant taste and aroma and is easy to drink.

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Ingredients: All dried

I use only organic or wild crafted herbs

1 TB Dandelion Leaf
2 TB Red Clover or 6 flowers (crush between your fingers)
1 TB Nettle
1 TB Horsetail
1 TB Oatstraw

Instructions for a Long Herbal Infusion: 

To get the most out of your tea, you'll need to let it steep for a long time.  This allows the minerals to release and give you a strong herbal infusion.  I let mine steep for 4 hrs or overnight. Scientific studies have shown that it takes at least four hours for a significant amount of minerals to extract into the water, and longer (up to eight hours) for roots, which are tougher and take longer to release their medicinal constituents into the water.

​1.    The recipe above should be close to 1 ounce together.  A rough guess is fine in recipes like this! Rough guide: 1/8  to 1/4 dried herbs of a one quart jar. Less for finely ground herbs, less for heavier herbs like roots, more for fluffy herbs that take up a lot of room.

 2.    Place in a 1 quart canning jar. or french press (I prefer the french press). 

 3.    Cover completely with boiling water, stir or press the top up and down to agitate.

 4.    Place lid on, and let sit four to eight hours. I let mine sit four hours or overnight.

 5.     When done brewing, press or strain and refrigerate. Infusion will keep for 48 hours in the refrigerator.  Longer than 48 hours and the infusion will start to break down.

6.    Infusions may be reheated (preferably do not boil, but still OK to drink if it does boil), iced, sweetened, milk added, etc.  I prefer to add a dash of Himalayan sea salt for additional minerals and pH.

Below I added a bit more about the minerals in each herb in this recipe. There is so much more to each of these herbs from a medicinal or healing perspective!  This is just a bit about the minerals in each one.

Dandelion Leaf: A great source of calcium and vitamin k- both of which are associated with preventing bone loss and tooth decay and preventing nerve damage. It's also a wonderful source of phosphorus, iron, sodium, and potassium. Decrease amount or remove for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Red Clover: Has trace amounts of many minerals, including calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Red clover is incredibly nourishing, may prevent bone loss and is helpful in supporting menopause symptoms. Avoid during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Nettle: Has a very high iron content along with Vitamin C which helps with iron absorption. Safe during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

​Horsetail: Known for it's high silica content.  Silica is necessary for collagen production and is needed for healthy teeth and bones. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Oatstraw: Has one of the highest levels of Calcium of any herb and is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis.

Additional Herbs for Minerals:

You may want to add these other high mineral herbs to your daily infusion:
Alfalfa Leaf
Raspberry Leaf
Ginkgo Leaf
Mellein Leaf and Blossoms
Peppermint Leaf

Enjoy when you are needing additional nutrition, feeling stressed, not eating well, or working to build your minerals back up!


A Friendly Reminder:
Herbs, essential oils, and natural remedies are amazing and powerful.  Use these plant medicines with care and caution and always consult your medical practitioner if you have questions.

The content on the blog Journey to Wellness is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. I, the author of Journey to Wellness, am not a medical professional and the information contained on this blog should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods, supplements, essential oils, or lifestyle changes have not been evaluated by medical professional or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. I, the author of Journey to Wellness will not accept responsibility for the actions or consequential results of any action taken by any reader.