This hub concerns making an herbal tea/infusion. This is more than just letting a bag of herbs or tea leaves sit in hot water and drinking it. The following instructions can be done with dried, fresh, or frozen herbs of your choice. i like to drink these especially for indigestion.

Dried herbs lose their vivacity after one to two years. When you buy dried herbs check for freshness. herbs that have sat in your spice jars for years should  probably won't do well as teas as herbs lose their vivacity after a year or two. The herbs should have some color and odor. If the scent is still strong and  the herbs aren't too dark brown, your herbs will probably be fine.

If you are going to use your herbs in a couple months then store them in a covered glass jar in your pantry. If you have a large amount, store in your freezer. Some herbs do not do well in the freezer. Basil loses it's flavor and color. Storing herbs in your freezer will help most of them  retain their freshness.

You can grow and dry herbs yourself (which I  highly recommend!) or buy them from a grocery, plant nursery, or local co-op. Co-ops are a nice way to help out the local farmers and growers in your area.

For an infusion:

• start with a cleaned, empty quart jar or similar container
• put 1 or 2 handfuls of dried herb in the jar, if using dried, crushed herbs 2-4 tbsps
• heat  2 cups water on stove
• pour water into jar cover with the lid to the jar when cooled
• allow to steep for a minimum of 4 hours to overnight
• once the tea has steeped, strain out herb leavings
• drink and enjoy your tea; drink at room temperature or gently warm (I do not recommend boiling or microwaving), adding honey or sugar help with the bitter taste of some of the herbs
• store tea in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days; throw the leftover out
• if you want to make a smaller amount of tea, use one table spoon dry herb to 8 ounces of water and follow the previous steps.