What is a Tisane?

A Hot Water Infusion made from the leaves of a particular tree (Camellia sinensis) is called a Tea. Black tea, Green Tea and even Oolong Tea all come from this tree. When you make a similar infusion using something other than leaves from that tree, like herbs or fruits, it is called a Tisane (pronounced TEA-zahn). While the term "Herbal Tea" has become generally popular in today's culture, calling it a Tisane would be more correct.

Most people will make a Tisane with a teaspoon of herb per cup of water, though some prefer a tablespoon per cup. This depends on how strong you like your Tisane. This is pretty much the same measure you would use if you were making a tea.

Tisane's have long been used for medicinal purposes, providing the benefits of plants in an easily digestible form. They can be made as a Simple (single herb infusion) or a blend, depending on the purpose. In most cases, they are also caffeine free, making them a popular drink in the late evening.

What is a Super Infusion?

I first heard about Super Infusions from a lady named Susan Weed. She may very well have been the one to develop this system, though I don't know that for sure. It's made very much like a tea, except it has a much larger amount of herb, and the steeping time is much longer. Basically it is a full ounce of herb in a quart jar, filled with just boiled water, covered and steeped for about 8 hours. Typically, I pour the water a little before going to bed at night, and come down in the morning and strain it.

This method is not good for all herbs, because the long steeping time will turn the drink bitter, but for some herbs, you end up with a potent yet delightful drink. The recommendation is to sip at the drink over the course of the day, not to take it all at once. We generally do this with three separate herbs over three days and then take a day or two off, and repeat. For some herbs, we use a little honey to make it taste a little better, but some herbs are sweet enough as they are.

What is the best herb to take?

We often get asked this question. People are looking to replace taking a pill provided by the pharmaceutical companies with a herb. They may have heard that Aspirin was developed by noticing that Native Americans used the bark of the White Willow Tree to cure a headache, and used that to develop what we now commonly take. That is a true story, and in fact many of the pharmaceuticals that are available today began with a herbal decoction. Many herbs were harvested nearly to extinction because large volumes were required to manufacture certain drugs. This is something that herbalists are constantly worry about as they prepare herbal solutions.

But herbs and pharmaceuticals work in different ways in our bodies. There are many factors that people do not think about when taking herbs for a medical solution. Everyone's body is a little bit different. The herbs, depending on where they are grown, or the condition of the soil might change the effectiveness as well. Choosing the right herb for you is a science in itself. So when you see a list that says "The Top 10 Herbs" what they are really saying is that the writer has found these to be helpful for them. It does not mean that they will work the same way for you.

Those lists can be a good starting point, but depending on them to the final word on what you should be taking is the wrong way to begin your herbal journey. Many who try doing it this way, get disappointed and feel that using herbs just doesn't work. Unfortunately, the only way to find the right herbs for you is through trial and error. You need to give them time to work, and if one is not doing what you expect, then try another.

There are some ways to get a leg up on what might work the best for you. Ayurvedic medicine has certain body conditions that can direct you to the right herb. There are also certain properties usually refereed to as Energetics that help to make the decision of what would work best for you. These are particular studies that you will need to review over the course of your Herbalism Journey.

Metaphysical Uses

Herbs are often used in another way. Many are carried or burned so that the smoke can clear negative energies from around the user. Aromas are used to bring calming or clear thinking as well as healing. Rituals and Spells often include the use of herbs, and we at Cheerful Dreams absolutely accept these uses. Some people see this as a pagan religious use, but let's not forget that many Christian Churches burn Frankincense and Myrrh as a part of their rituals. There is a lot of information on the use of a herb called St. John's Wort to provide protection from spirits and negative energies. St. John's Wort is also used as a tea for depression. These double duties of the herbs is readily accepted here. This particular group of pages is more about the healing use of the herbs, but on our other pages we have information related to these uses.

We believe that all cultures, belief systems and lifestyles should be celebrated.