Herbal Infusions

The Herbal Infusion Experiment

In 2021, I started drinking herbal infusions on a daily basis after hearing them described by herbalist Susun Weed on a podcast with my late kundalini yoga teacher, Guru Jagat.

The gist of this portion of the podcast was that this form of hydration increases mineral consumption and improves overall hydration and health when consumed regularly.

I sent the podcast to my dearest friend (and your TriangleCRC Coach) Lisa, and asked if she’d like to do an n=1 experiment with me.

In research, “n” refers to the number of participants in a study. “n=1” therefore means that the sole participant in the study is one. This invitation indicated to Lisa that this wasn’t something I felt confident about, but would be exploring on my own and wanted to know if she wanted to conduct her own n=1 study alongside mine.

Not surprisingly, she was on board, so we ordered organic herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and began our journeys.

How To Make Herbal Infusions

The above video describes the method for creating your own herbal infusions, which are also available on Susun Weed’s website, but the basics are thus:

1 oz of dried herbs

32 oz of just-boiled hot water

cover tightly and steep for at least 4 hours

chill, strain, drink within 36 hours

Introducing Herbal Infusions

We started by adding herbal infusions to our existing water intake. And then we both diminished water intake and increased herbal infusion intake as we recognized that we were craving the infusions rather than feeling thirst for water.

At this point, we both now drink herbal infusions or LMNT almost exclusively. I hardly ever consume plain water. And I feel incredibly well-hydrated. With my activity levels, I drink somewhere between 2-3 quarts of herbal infusions daily.

Herbs for Infusion

I now have quite an arsenal of herbs for infusions that I’ve self-tested and added, as well as several recipes of using the herbs in conjunction with one another. But general recommendations for herbal infusions of single herbal infusions are:

  • stinging nettles*

  • oatstraw

  • helichrysum

  • red clover

  • butterfly pea flower

  • chamomile

*Stinging nettles don’t contain caffeine, but are mildly stimulating, so they’re best consumed through the morning and afternoon rather than evening for more restful sleep (thank you to one of my patients for discovering this tidbit of info!).

Note how you feel when consuming these herbs, as well as within the next few days. I would encourage introducing one herbal infusion at a time to note for any impacts, side effects, or changes.

One tasty recipe that combines several herbs and is this blend with stinging nettles, oatstraw, holy basil, and hawthorn berries that I learned through Mountain Rose Herbs.

Cheers to Healthy Hydration!

Lindsay Mumma, DC, DNSP

Lindsay Mumma