Potions

Teas, also known as water infusions, are made by blending herbs and pouring boiling water over them, and letting them brew for a few minutes. This usually requires 1 teaspoon of herb to one cup of boiling water. If you decide that teas are the best way for a particular potion, be sure that the taste is appealing (especially if you have to make someone else drink it), this may take some experimentation and time on your part.

Tip: To enhance the flavor of a tea, use lemon juice, honey, or cayenne pepper (use the last sparingly).

Decoctions are wonderful potions as they can be converted to many other forms of potions and they can be kept 4-5 days in a cool place. They usually require 2 ounces of herb and 3 and a half cups of boiling water.

To make a decoction, crush/bruise the herbs that you are going to use, at the same time have the water heating up. Place the herbs in a saucepan. When the water comes to a boil, pour the water over the herbs and let stand overnight. The next day, heat the mixture in the saucepan, when it comes to a boil, turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and strain through a fine cloth strainer. You can leave it like this which will last for 2-3 days or you can reduce it further. To make a reduced decoction, pour the decoction into another saucepan and heat it up. When it begins to steam, turn the heat down as low as you can but keep the decoction steaming. You will keep the decoction on the stove until it is about 7/8 of a cup from the original 3 and a half, this will take several hours. When it is done, let it cool and place it into a clean bottle. This will keep for 4-5 days.

Tictures are made with alcohol and they will keep so long as you keep them covered in a cool, dark place. Tinctures usually require one ounce dry herb or two ounces fresh herb to 2 and a half cups of alcoholic beverage (you can use any type of alcohol, but I recommend vodka).

To make a tincture, chop/bruise the herbs and place in a jar and pour the alcohol over. Close the jar well and place in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, shaking the jar daily. After teh 2 weeks the alcohol would have draw out the herbs' essence and changed color (do not leave standing for more than 2 weeks for the herbs begin to breakdown chemically). Strain the tincture, make sure that there are no floaties. Place the tincture in a clean bottle, label and date.