Technically, tea is a drink made from Camellia sinensis: the tea plant. Teas can be black, white, yellow, oolong, or green.

The drinks we often call herbal teas are actually tisanes: drinks made from infused herbs, spices, and/or plants that are not Camellia sinensis. For this article, we’ll use the words tea and tisane interchangeably.

Amy (pictured above) is a homesteader and experienced herbalist. She’s shown here in the garden picking elderberry blossoms. The blossoms can be dried for future use or used fresh.

Fresh elderberry blossom tea:

1. Pick a handful of blossoms that are open, but not browning.
2. Lightly shake out any insects.
3. Carefully remove the flowers from the stalks (stalks and leaves can cause stomach distress).
4. Place the flowers in a vessel that can withstand hot water.
5. Pour not-quite-boiling water over the blossoms.
6. Steep.
7. Add honey and enjoy.

Tinctures

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts. They are made by soaking fresh or dried plant materials in a solvent (also known as a menstruum). Alcohol is the most common solvent; glycerin, water, vinegar, oil, and honey can also be used. After a specified time, the plant materials are filtered out and the remaining infused liquid is a tincture.

There are pros and cons to each solvent (alcohol, glycerin, water, vinegar, oil, and honey). They do not work equally well to extract the medicinal benefits of each plant, nor do they have the same shelf life. Wilderland Botanicals has a useful summary of the different menstruums; see their link at the end.

A tincture is more powerful than a tea or tisane. For example, elderberry blossom tea is made simply and quickly from flowers, hot water, and a splash of honey. Elderberry tincture is made from whole berries soaked in high-proof alcohol for six weeks or longer.

Basic elderberry tincture:

1. Fill clean, dry jar halfway with fresh berries.*
   Note: berries need to be fully ripe (no green or red berries) with all stems and leaves removed.
2. Pour high proof alcohol (like Everclear) over the berries.
3. Shake gently and stir to make sure all berries are covered. Add more alcohol if needed.
4. Cover with a lid, label with ingredients, and date.
5. Place in covered cabinet away from heat and light.
6. After six+ weeks, strain out the berries. Pour the infused liquid into glass jars.
7. Use the tincture as is or use as base for elderberry syrup.
8. The tincture can be diluted into another beverage (for immediate consumption) or sweetened with honey.

*Fill jar ¼ full if using dried berries. Use 80 proof alcohol as solvent.

Salves

Salves are a simple way to transform plant materials into a portable, useful product. A tube of lip balm or a tin of anti-itch salve can go wherever you go.

Basic salve recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce beeswax or beeswax pastilles
• 4 ounces herb- infused oils
• Optional: 10 – 20 drops essential oil

To Make the Salve:

1. Break beeswax into small pieces. You can also use beeswax pastilles for this.
2. Place beeswax in a double-boiler (low heat) and slowly melt.
   Note: I use a small, dedicated crockpot for salve-making.
3. Add herb-infused oils; mix well.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Optional: Add essential oils.
6. Quickly pour mix into tins, lip balm tubes, or small glass jars.
7. Cool completely.

Let’s take a closer look at step #3: Add herb-infused oils; mix well.

This is where the medicinal magic occurs! You can infuse oils with a wide range of plant materials: mint, ginger, rosemary, calendula, pepper, dandelions … the list goes on. And you can use a variety of oils. Olive oil is often used: it is readily available, has skin- soothing properties, a mild fragrance, and a good shelf life. Other oils, such as almond, jojoba, coconut, and hemp seed, have different qualities. My friend Karen makes a super soothing salve with plantain and tea tree oil.

The simplest way to infuse your oils with herbs is to place your dry herbs (Most herbs need to be dry before adding oil.) in a clean, dry quart jar. (Most herbs need to be dry before adding oil.) Leave a few inches of head space. Fill the jar with oil to completely cover the herbs. Put a lid on the jar, shake well, label and date, and set aside.

Some people place their jars in a sunny window for a few weeks. I use a cabinet away from heat and light and extend my infusion time. Drain the oils (tip: use cheesecloth or muslin, knowing that the oil residue will linger in the material). Bottle and date.

Soothing Plantain Salve with Tea Tree Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup dried plantain leaves
• 1 ounce beeswax or beeswax pastilles
• 10 – 15 drops tea tree essential oil

Three + weeks before you make your salve, make the infused oil:

1. If your leaves are fresh, dry them for at least a few hours to remove excess water.
2. Prepare a clean, dry jar.
3. Tear / cut leaves and place in jar.
4. Cover the leaves with at least an inch of oil, allowing expansion room.
5. Cover. Label and date.
6. Steep in sunny window for 2 to 3 weeks.
7. Strain.
8. Keep the strained oil in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

When ready to make your salve, follow the steps listed under To Make the Salve.

This salve truly is a balm for bug bites, rashes, itches, and allergic reactions. Enjoy!