What is an infusion?
An infusion is what most people think of as a cup of tea: dried herb in a cup or pot, just-boiled water poured over, left to steep, then strained.
It suits the soft, thin parts of a plant — leaves, flowers and fine aerial parts — where the aromatic oils sit close to the surface and would be driven off by long boiling.
- 1Put the dried herb in a cup, pot or tea infuser. Each herb page gives a starting amount, usually 1–2 teaspoons per 250ml.
- 2Pour over water just off the boil.
- 3Cover while it steeps — this keeps the aromatic oils in the cup rather than in the steam.
- 4Steep for the time on the herb page, typically 5–15 minutes.
- 5Strain and drink.
What is a decoction?
A decoction is simmered rather than steeped. The herb goes into a pan of cold water, is brought slowly to the boil, then simmered with a lid on before straining.
It suits the hard, dense parts of a plant — roots, bark, seeds, berries and mushrooms — which release very little if they are only steeped for a few minutes.
- 1Put the dried herb in a small pan with cold water. Check the herb page for the amount.
- 2Bring slowly to the boil, then turn down to a gentle simmer.
- 3Cover and simmer for 15–30 minutes. Some roots and mushrooms are traditionally simmered for longer.
- 4Strain, and top up with hot water if a lot has evaporated.
How long to simmer herbs
As a rule of thumb: leaves and flowers are steeped for 5–15 minutes; roots and bark are simmered for 15–30 minutes; very dense material such as some mushrooms and woody chunks is simmered for longer, sometimes an hour or more.
The herb page always takes priority. Where a plant is listed as "for decoction" in its specimen card, simmer it; where it says "for infusion", steep it.
Mixing leaves and roots in one cup
When a blend contains both — say, a root with a leaf — simmer the root first, take the pan off the heat, add the leaf, cover and leave it to steep for the leaf’s time before straining.
Before you start
- Use the amounts and times on each herb’s own page — they are the ones we stand behind.
- Read the Suitability panel on every herb page. Several herbs are not suitable in pregnancy or alongside certain medicines.
- Herbal teas are not a substitute for a varied diet. Speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication.
Last updated 2 October 2026.
