I had one noticeable difference in energy levels after drinking the infusion, a day when I was extremely tired. I drank the nettles within a half hour and then felt a boost in my energy. Not large but enough that I didn't feel the need to lay my head down and take a nap.
The nettles I am using were wildcrafted from my property over the past growing season. The first batch I used was harvested later in the summer, early fall. I had found a late patch starting so I harvested it. Even though it hadn't gone to seed, the difference between that and the second batch I used when that one ran out was amazing!
The second batch I harvested in the spring. The dried leaves were darker green than the previous batch and when I brewed the infusions, the color of the infusion was more green and darker.
In addition, the taste was different as well. There was a fresh, green taste to the infusion. Much more flavorful. Great lesson in harvesting time periods!
The infusions themselves were mild with a metallic/bitter aftertaste. It was cooling and astringent.
As a slow acting tonic, I didn't expect to feel much of a change after this week. I will continue to drink infusions as often as possible. I do feel a slight upgrade to my energy level but I wouldn't say it was drastic.
How were your infusions this week? Did you have anything noticeable happen while using them?
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Other notes about nettles this week:
As part of my anima medicine woman tradition mentorship, one of my assignments is to spend time in nature daily. I made it a point to go out and photograph herbs in winter. I found my stand of nettles next to the garage still erect, with dried seeds still dangling. It was neat to be able to observe them in winter.
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Challenge #3 will be posted shortly.
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Karisma's post on her week of infusions with Tansy
5 comments:
Interesting about the different harvesting times. I have been thinking a lot on the difference between using fresh harvested plants as opposed to dried.
Off topic here but I have used Lemon Balm a lot for anxiety for one of my girls, and she pointed out the other day that the dried herb does not have the same effect as when I give her fresh picked and brewed tea. Interesting. We also infused a bunch the other day then refrigerated it for a nice refreshing cool drink. (its been a bit hot down here this week) Lost all of its "happy" feelings. This of course has had me pre-occupied with living energies etc. I am easily distracted so study in any form becomes an interesting time! LOL
My post on infusions is up. Thanks for hosting these challenges. I think sometimes a push in the right direction is a great help for easily distracted types like me. I have learned so much already in the past two weeks.
Hugs xoxoxox
dried is better than fresh. i'm not sure i went over that in my post, i will need to go back and check it.
the reason being, dried herbs's constituents and minerals extract better in water than fresh herbs.
your lemon balm adventures are a good example of this in showing how different forms of the herb are best used in different ways depending on how you need them.
http://naturallysimple.org/living/2011/02/01/herbal-ally-challenge-2-completed/#comment-54
There you have the second one. I am just typing up the third now.
http://naturallysimple.org/living/2011/02/01/herbal-ally-challenge-2-completed
There you are. I am working on typing up the third challenge just now.
This is the omly part i've read about that utterly freaks me out!! i am scared of infusions because i never know if the herb"s going to be nasty or toxic or what. lol. im still a bit confused about the terms "nourishing" and "toxic" and have no clue how long to brew my ground ivy. lol. just throwing out my concerns. He he...
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