A lunar infusion is simply a herbal tea, left to percolate during the night under the light of the moon. Lunar infusions make for a fun full moon ritual – strain and sip in the morning to imbibe your body with a little lunar and herbal magic.
This recipe is intended for use on a full moon!
The moon represents our ‘inner world’. Our thoughts and emotions, our desires, our worries, our belief systems and our shadow-self. It carries a naturally very yin, introspective, nourishing energy.
A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun, reflecting back its light. Its energy is powerful, I’m sure you will have noticed your intuition, emotions and dreams (well, if you’re lucky enough to sleep!) all seem heightened under the influence of the full moon.
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The full moon is about things coming to fruition, so is the perfect time to reflect on and practice gratitude for everything that has manifested.
It casts light on those uncomfortable parts of ourselves, and provides an opportunity to reconcile, make peace, transform, release and let go.
Water, as the universal medium, becomes attuned with the energy of the moon (and herbs) as the infusion sits out all night. In the morning, you’re left with an energetically potent, healing, cold tea ready to strain and enjoy.
Choose the flower heads, leaves and other aerial parts of plants to infuse. Here are some of my favourites, you might already have them in your garden…
Lunar infusion herbs
Red clover (Trifolium pratense): therapeutically - blood purifier, aids elimination of toxins, skin healing (eczema, psoriasis), expectorant (valuable for coughs and colds), rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mineral rich, mild estrogenic activity. Energetics: sweet, salty, cool. Subtle/spiritual effects – helps you make sense of and understand your emotions, facilitates letting go, allows you to enter the dream state more easily, and meditate more deeply.
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): therapeutically – supports the nervous system, anti-anxiety, lifts moods, mild sedative, carminative (relieves gastrointestinal gas), spasmolytic. Energetics: bitter, drying, cooling. Subtle – relaxation, calms and uplifts, deeper mediation.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): therapeutically – supports liver detox pathways, antioxidant, carminative, spasmolytic, antimicrobial, promotes healthy circulation, increases mental alertness and memory. Energetics: warm, dry, stimulating. Subtle – psychic protection, clarity, third eye chakra, strengthens relationship with spirit.
(Personal tid bit – I LOVE rosemary – a few sprigs in hot water sipped while working to keep focused. One of the most prized herbs in the materia medica by Arabic physicians).
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): therapeutically - supports the gut-brain axis, anti-anxiety, lifts moods, mild sedative, carminative, antiviral (topically), febrifuge (reduces fever). Energetics: sour, cooling. Subtle – supports the heart chakra, strengthens and balances the spirit.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): therapeutically – supports the gut, carminative, spasmolytic (indicated for period pain), anti-inflammatory, mild sedative, antiulcer (great as a gargle for mouth ulcers), wound healing (great topically for skin conditions). Energetics: sweet, cooling. Subtle – calms irritability, petulance/immaturity, brings emotional stability, helps you find your life’s purpose.
Other ideas:
- Mint
- Peppermint
- Rose
- Hibiscus
- Violet
- Calendula
- Borage
- Passionflower
- Self Heal
- Nettle
- Fennel
Really, so many to choose from!
If you make and enjoy this recipe, please leave a rating below. And better yet – leave me a comment to tell me how you got on, or just say hi – I LOVE hearing from you. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to see more of my everyday recipes and wellness tips.
If you’d like to chat with me about essential oils, or book in a class, you can do that here. If you’re after a Naturopathic consult, read more here.
Lunar Infusion
Ingredients
- 500 ml glass jar (16 oz)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- herbs of your choice eg. lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, rosemary etc
- boiling water
Instructions
- Pack the glass jar about ¾ full of plant material.
- Cover with boiling water.
- Add honey if desired.
- Place somewhere outside where it will get bathed in the moonlight from dusk to dawn.
- Strain, compost the plant material, and enjoy as a chilled tea in the morning.
Notes
- Cover with muslin if you are worried about bugs, slugs or fairies getting into your brew
- Choose the aerial parts of the plants
- Add ice for a cool tea
- Do this ritual with your children, they will love it!
Nutrition
Jen Jarvis
SO pleased to have found you!
Have suddenly found myself on a journey with foraging wild edible plants and learning about native medicinal herbs and plants here in NZ. Made my first tea with 2x holey kawakawa and a few lemon verbena leaves last night, it was yum! I get so excited looking at weeds, wondering which ones I could eat and knowing they have such amazing nutritional value (but can only ID a couple so am being careful).
But your blog - I love the sirpitual and healing aspect of it! Looking forward to learning much more from your posts and recipes. I can't help but feel I have herbalism in my future because all I have to do is read a description of "hyssop" and see a photo of it and my soul starts jumping up :).
Thanks for listening, and being on this planet, and sharing your wonderful knowledge!
Jen
Lauren Glucina • BNatMed, AdDip NutMed
Hey Jen - oh how wonderful! Sounds like the plant path is calling you, and it's the most beautiful adventure. Wishing you the best, you'll have to keep me updated 🙂 Lauren. x