How to Brew

Steep or decoct? Roots or leaves?

Understanding the art, science, and spirit of herbal preparation. Brewing herbs is one of the oldest healing practices in human history. Long before supplements and capsules, our ancestors relied on water extractions... teas, decoctions, steams, and tonics to pull the therapeutic compounds from plants and deliver them directly into the body.

At Herbs of Her, we want every customer to feel confident, empowered, and informed when preparing their blends at home. This herbal insight breaks down the different brewing methods, why they matter, and how to choose the right technique for your wellness needs.

WHY BREWING MATTERS

Herbal medicine is only as effective as the way it is prepared. Each herb has its own personality: some release their benefits quickly, while others require time, heat, or the breakdown of tough plant fibers.

Brewing methods control how much of the plant’s vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, aromatics, and active constituents become available for your body to absorb. When done properly, you maximize potency, flavor, and therapeutic benefit.

 
THE FOUR MAIN METHODS OF HERBAL BREWING

1. INFUSION - HERBAL TEA 
This is the method most people know: pouring hot water over delicate plant parts.

 
Best for

• Leaves: raspberry leaf, mint, moringa, nettle
• Flowers: lavender, chamomile, calendula, hibiscus
• Soft aerial parts

Why it works:
Heat and water gently coax out aromatics, minerals, and volatile oils without destroying them.

How to Prepare an Infusion:

• Add 1 tablespoon of herbs per 8–12 oz of water.
• Pour hot NOT boiling water over the herbs.
• Cover, this prevents essential oils from escaping.
• Steep 10–20 minutes depending on strength preference.
• Strain and enjoy warm or chilled.

 
Pro Tip:
For nutritive teas like nettle or alfalfa, steeping for 4–8 hours creates a mineral-rich tonic known as a long infusion.

 
 
2. DECOCTION (STRONG SIMMERED BREW)

Decoctions extract deeper medicine from tougher plant materials.

 
Best for

• Roots: burdock, ginger, dandelion, turmeric
• Barks: pau d’arco, cascara sagrada, wild cherry bark
• Seeds: fennel, coriander
• Hard berries: schisandra, elderberry

 
Why it works:
Roots and barks need consistent heat to release polysaccharides, alkaloids, and minerals.

 
How to Prepare a Decoction:

• Add 1 tablespoon of herbs per 3 cups of water.
• Cover and bring to a gentle simmer for 20–40 minutes.
• Remove from heat and steep an additional 15 minutes.
• Strain and drink warm.

 
Pro Tip:
For immune or deep-detox blends, simmering longer (up to 1 hour) creates a thicker, more potent tea.

 
 
 
3. COLD INFUSION (NO HEAT METHOD)
Some herbs shine when brewed slowly in cold or room-temperature water.

 
Best for

• Mucilaginous herbs: marshmallow root, slippery elm
• Cooling herbs: mint, rose, lemon balm
• Herbs sensitive to heat

 
Why it works:
Cold water preserves soothing mucilage, prevents bitterness, and extracts delicate compounds that hot water can damage.

 
How to Prepare a Cold Infusion:

• Add 1 tablespoon of herbs to 2–3 cups of cool water.
• Cover and steep 4–12 hours overnight is ideal.
• Strain and drink chilled.

 
Pro Tip:
Cold infusions are excellent for gut healing, sore throats, and hydration.

4. HERBAL STEAM (TOPICAL AROMATIC BREW)

Steams deliver plant medicine through the lungs and skin.

Best for:

• Yoni steaming
• Facial steams
• Respiratory support herbs

 
Why it works:
Steam carries aromatic oils, mineral-rich vapors, and botanical energies directly into tissues.

 
How to Prepare a Steam:

• Place 2–3 tablespoons of herbs in a heat-safe bowl.
• Pour boiling water on top.
• Cover your head or sit over the vessel for yoni steams, use a designated seat.
• Steam 10–30 minutes depending on comfort.

 
Pro Tip:
Always listen to your body. Too hot is counterproductive warm, gentle steam is most therapeutic.

WATER TEMPERATURES THE MOST OVERLOOKED PART OF BREWING

Most people assume boiling water works for every herb. But boiling water is powerful and sometimes too harsh.

Here’s what you need to know:

 
BOILING WATER (212°F / 100°C)

• Best for: Roots, barks, hard berries, seeds.
• Why: These tough materials need strong heat to break open their cell walls.

Boiling water should not be used directly on delicate herbs. It destroys:

• Volatile oils
• Flavor profiles
• Heat-sensitive vitamins
• Polysaccharides in some herbs

This is why we use boiling water mostly for decoctions, not infusions. 

JUST-OFF-BOIL (190–205°F / 88–96°C)

This is perfect for:

• Leaves
• Flowers
• Aromatic herbs
• Hormone-balancing blends
• Nervine teas... chamomile, lemon balm, lavender

Why: Boiling water poured directly on aromatics will cause their essential oils to instantly evaporate. Letting the water cool just 1–2 minutes preserves these oils while still extracting nutrients.

WARM WATER (120–160°F / 48–71°C)

Perfect for:

• Mucilaginous herbs ... marshmallow root, slippery elm
• Herbs meant to soothe the gut lining
• Hydrating herbal blends

Warm not hot water protects mucilage from breaking down.

COLD WATER (room temp or chilled)

Used for cold infusions, ideal for:

• Marshmallow root
• Hibiscus
• Mint
• Rose
• Lemon balm
• Soothing blends
  

Cold water extracts calming, cooling, hydrating properties without releasing bitterness.

 
 
WHY YOU MUST ALWAYS COVER YOUR HERBS

Covering your herbs isn’t optional, it’s essential. When herbs are brewed uncovered, volatile oils escape into the steam.

These are the compounds responsible for:

• Antimicrobial properties
• Nervous system support
• Hormone modulation
• Mood benefits
• Aromatic healing
• Anti-inflammatory action

Once those oils evaporate, they cannot be reclaimed. This is why Herbs of Her always recommends covering your tea while steeping and simmering.

A lid ensures:

• The full medicinal profile stays in your tea
• Aromatics condense and fall back into the water
• Heat stays consistent
• You receive the maximum benefit from the blend

BREWING BY BLEND TYPE: DELICATE HERBS VS. TOUGH HERBS

Not all herbal blends are created equal. Some contain only soft, aromatic plants that release their medicine quickly, while others contain dense roots and barks that require longer extraction. Many blends especially wellness blends contain a mix of both.
Understanding which method to use ensures you don’t destroy delicate compounds or under-extract the tougher ones.

Here’s how to approach each category

 
1. BLENDS MADE ONLY WITH DELICATE HERBS
Leaves, flowers, soft aerial parts

Examples: chamomile, mint, raspberry leaf, rose, lemon balm, lavender, motherwort.

How They Should Be Brewed:

• Use just-off-boil water (190–205°F)
• Brew as a standard infusion
• Steep 10–20 minutes
• Always cover the tea

 
Why: Delicate herbs contain volatile oils the most therapeutic compounds that are easily damaged by boiling water.
 
If brewed too hot or too long:

• Oils evaporate
• Flavor becomes bitter
• Medicinal benefits weaken

Infusion preserves aromatics and gentle healing compounds. 
 

2. BLENDS THAT ARE 50/50 DELICATE & TOUGHER HERBS
Half roots/barks/seeds, half leaves/flowers (if making your own mix NOT for pre-blended mixes)

This type of blend needs a two-step extraction so both types of herbs release their benefits without one overpowering or damaging the other.

How to Brew Correctly:

STEP 1 Decoction for Tough Herbs

• Add the root/bark portion of the blend into a pot
• Add 3 cups water
• Bring to a boil
• Reduce to a simmer 20 minutes
• Keep covered

 
STEP 2 Add Delicate Herbs After Heat

• Turn off the heat
• Add the leaf/flower portion
• Cover and steep 10–20 minutes

 
Why:
Delicate herbs CANNOT be simmered they will lose potency.
Tough herbs CANNOT be only steeped they won’t extract.
A two-part brewing method ensures full extraction with no destroyed compounds.

3. BLENDS THAT ARE ONLY TOUGH HERBS
Majority roots, barks, tough berries, seeds

Examples: burdock, ginger, dandelion root, pau d’arco, turmeric, cinnamon chips, schisandra, fennel seed.

 
How They Should Be Brewed:
Prepare as a strong decoction

Simmer 20–40 minutes up to 1 hour on very low heat

Cover during the entire simmer

 
Why: Tough herbs require consistent heat to open fibers, release alkaloids, and extract polysaccharides and minerals.
 

Under-brewing tough herbs leads to:

• Weak flavor
• Little medicinal value
• Wasted product

Decoction ensures maximum potency.

 
 
 4. BLENDS THAT ARE MOSTLY DELICATE HERBS WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF TOUGH HERBS
Majority leaves/flowers; minority roots/barks

 
How to Brew Correctly:
This depends on how much tough material is included.

 
If only 10–20% tough herbs:

• Brew as a regular infusion
• But steep on the longer side 15–20 minutes
• Still use just-off-boil water, not simmering

 
If about 25–35% tough herbs:

• Create a mini-decoction: Simmer just the tough herbs 5–10 minutes
• Turn off heat and add delicate herbs (if not premixed already)
• Steep 10–15 minutes covered

 
Why: Even small amounts of roots or bark need encouragement, but not a full 40-minute simmer. Meanwhile, delicate herbs need protection from direct heat. This hybrid approach gives full extraction without damaging sensitive botanicals.
 
 
GENERAL RULES TO REMEMBER

1. The more delicate the herb, the lower the temperature.
Delicate = infusion
Tough = decoction

 
2. Never simmer delicate herbs. Ever.
It destroys volatile oils and alters the herb’s therapeutic profile.

 
3. Always cover the blend... no matter the method.
To preserve aromatics and condensation of beneficial oils.

 
4. Mixed blends often require delicate brewing.
This is where most people go wrong boiling everything together.

 
5. When in doubt:
If it’s leafy = INFUSE

If it’s woody = DECOCT

If it’s a mix = DO BOTH

 

WHEN BENEFITS AND VOLATILE OILS ARE DESTROYED

1. Water is too hot
Lavender becomes bitter

Chamomile loses calming oils

Rose loses scent & therapeutic value

Mint becomes astringent instead of cooling

 
2. Herbs are left uncovered
Essential oils escape = weaker tea, less medicinal effect.

 
3. Herbs are over-simmered for delicate herbs
Bitterness develops from tannins and flavonoids breaking down.

 
4. Plastic containers are used
Heat & plastic = chemical leaching

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT METHOD

Herbal Form                  Most Effective Method      Why It Works
Leaves & Flowers          Infusion                              Protects delicate compounds

Roots & Barks               Decoction                           Breaks down tough fibers

Mucilaginous Herbs     Cold Infusion                       Preserves slippery, soothing mucilage

Aromatic Herbs            Steam                                   Delivers volatile oils directly

Deep Detox Teas          Decoction/Long Infusion    Stronger extraction & potency

Yoni Blends                    Steam                                 Supports external absorption 
 

GENERAL HERBAL BREWING GUIDELINES

Always use a lid: It prevents medicinal compounds from evaporating into the air.
 
Use high-quality water: Filtered or spring water increases clarity and taste.
 
Avoid aluminum pots: Use glass, stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron to avoid chemical interaction.
 
Dosage matters: More herbs does not always mean more potency follow the recommended measurements.
 
Taste tells a story: Bitterness, earthiness, sweetness, tartness these are all signatures of the herb’s therapeutic profile.
 
Freshness counts: Store your herbs in airtight glass containers away from heat, moisture, and sunlight.
 

HOW LONG DOES BREWED TEA LAST?

• Up to 24 hours at room temperature
• 48–72 hours refrigerated
• Always store in a sealed container

Herbal teas have no preservatives. Fresh is best.

 
MAKING HERBAL BREWING YOUR DAILY COMFORT

Your tea preparation is not just a physical act, it is a moment of grounding, intention, and care. Brewing connects you to the plants, to your body, and to the rhythms of holistic wellness. Whether you prefer long decoctions, quick infusions, or a gentle overnight cold brew, you are engaging in a practice rooted in thousands of years of wisdom.

BREWING ISN'T JUST TECHNIQUE... IT'S PRESENCE

The temperature you choose, the vessel you use, how long you steep, and whether you cover your herbs all influence the medicine you receive.

When you brew with intention, you:

• Honor the plant
• Support your healing
• Connect with a practice carried through generations
• Allow the herb to work exactly as it was designed
  

This is the heart of Herbs of Her wellness rooted in knowledge, care, and ancestral wisdom.

Want to support your cycle naturally? Explore our herbsofher.com, thoughtfully formulated to work with your body’s natural rhythms not against them.

Herbal products are intended to support general wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a medical condition, or have abnormal laboratory results, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products.