There are many ways to make herbal teas. The most popular way with which people can make it easily at home is simply put a combination of herbs in the water and brew it. Perhaps the only two terms that need explanation are "infusion" and "decoction".

An infusion is simply a tea made from an herb. Ordinarily, about a teaspoon of the leaves or flowers are put in a pot and a cup of hot water poured over them. The vessel - which is not heated - is then covered and the tea allowed to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. It may be necessary to rehear the tea. Strain before serving.

A decoction is also an herbal tea but differs from an infusion in that the herbal material is actually boiled or at least simmered. Typically, seeds, pieces of root or bark, or branches, which would not easily release their essence when steeped, are prepared in this way. Begin with cold water, bring to a boil, and keep on the heat for as long as
necessary to extract the virtue of the plant material. Keep the pot covered while cooking, and cool and strain before using.

The herbs discussed below are mentioned frequently in relation to specific ailments:

Blessed Thistle- Heals the liver. Improves circulation, purifies the blood, strengthens the heart, and alleviates pneumonitis. May act as brain food.

Cayenne- Most people don't think of the hot red pepper - which is what cayenne is - as a medicinal herb. But herbalists love cayenne, and they don't limit their enjoyment to putting it on their hoagies and steak sandwiches. They call it "the supreme and harmless internal disinfectant." Gently boil one tablespoon of cayenne pepper in one pint of cider vinegar makes  a powerful liniment for sprains and congestion. It also work great for toothache. Common paprika is the mildest form of cayenne but is also the highest in vitamin C Content. 

Chamomile - Chamomile tea has been known by many people for it helps indigestion, poor appetite, trouble monthly periods; soothes sore and wounds. Russian use it from cradle on the colds, stomach trouble and colitis, as a sedative and gargle, and topically for eczema and inflammation.

Comfrey- During the Middle Ages, comfrey was a popular remedy for mending broken bones and battle wounds. A decoction made by simmering an ounce of ground comfrey root in a quart of water for 30 minutes was taken internally to treat dysentery, diarrhea and stomach ulcers. As a remedy for bleeding hemorrhoids or other internal bleeding, one-half ounce of witch hazel leaves was added to the preparation. Comfrey root tea has long been used to treat lung troubles, whooping cough, bad bruises, swellings, sprains and boils.

Damiana- As its botanical name suggests, Damiana is reputed to be a sexual stimulant and folk cure for impotence. This herb is also put to more mundane uses: Herbalists recommend it as both a laxative and as a general tonic to improve overall body function. Some herbalists believe that it helps relieve anxiety and promotes a feeling of well-being. Common Use: Tonic, aphrodisiac, nervine, antidepressant.

Dandelion Root- A mildly bitter herb that cleanses the bloodstream and liver and increases the production of bile. Used as a diuretic. Improves function of the pancreas, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. Used for anemia, boils, cramps, fluid retention, constipation, and breast tumors. May aid in the prevention of breast cancer and age spots. Reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid.

Dong Quai- Used in the treatment of female problems such as hot flashes, menopause, PMS, and vaginal dryness. Increases the effect of ovarian hormones.

Echinacea- contains many ingredients that exert an overall stimulating effect on the immune system. The herb also activates the liver, lymph nodes and mucous membranes, enhancing the body's overall ability to fight infections. Other specific substances contained in enchinacea have wound-healing and germicidal properties.

Garlic - For centuries, it has been a common remedy for colds, cough and sore throat. During the seventeenth century, garlic was credited with protecting may European households from the ravages of the Great Plague. In New Zealand during Colonial times, garlic cloves were bound to the feet of smallpox victims. Cloves were also placed in the shoes of whooping cough sufferers. For intestinal works, raw garlic juice of milk that had been boiled with garlic was often drunk. A clove or two of garlic, pounded with honey and taken two or three nights successively, is good for rheumatism. Some physicians reported that garlic tends to open up blood vessels and reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Ginseng- Ginseng is particularly helpful for combating exhaustion and difficulties in concentrating. Ginseng tonic (right) is sometimes taken preventively to boost immune function. The herb also helps to speed recovery after an illness, enhance mood and lift mild depression.

Green Tea- Green tea has many health benefits. It is an anti-inflammatory, lower blood cholesterol levels, has a beneficial effects on the circulation and liver, protects against tooth decay and detoxifies the blood.

Kava Kava- Kava Kava has been widely used throughout the South Pacific civilizations for hundreds of years. It is said that the plant induces an atmosphere of relaxation and easy sociability among drinkers. There is a current widespread use of Kava extract in European pharmaceutical preparations (as a relaxant and muscle relaxant). It is possible that Kava may be the cure for the epidemic of stress in our country. It has been shown to relax the body after strenuous exercise, clarify the mind and sharpen the mental faculties. Kava soothes temperaments. Kava is an excellent muscle relaxant and has anti-convulsive effects. Because of its widespread use for such a long period of time, Kava has a very extensive history of safe usage. The plant is non-addictive, and taken at normal doses has no long-term side-effects.

Mother's Wort- Since ancient times, this herb has been used to treat "female problems" and as a cardiotonic. The Greeks used Motherwort to relieve the pain from childbirth and as a tranquilizer. Culpeper wrote, "There is no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart and to strengthen it."

Oat Bran- Common Use:Nervine for all stress, sedative, restorative antidepressant, Tonic for impotence; Cardiac tonic, strengthening. Modern herbalists used Motherwort to treat PMS. In combination with other "women's herbs" such as raspberry leaves, it is believed to help prepare the uterus for delivery and labor. Common Use: Heart tonic, antispasmodic, dissolves fibrin, sedative, for anxiety.

Onion- Research by India physicians has shown that feeding onions to people along with butter prevents the usual steep rise in cholesterol level that occurs after consuming butterfat. Onions may also help keep blood sugar levels in check, according to a presentation made to the 15th International Congress of Internal Medicine. If all that sounds a bit hard to believe about plain old onions, try this one for size: Scientists attending a major conference of experimental biologist in 1982 heard a report that onions are among a small group of vegetables that contain a natural enzyme inhibitor that apparently slows down the growth of cancer cells.

Peppermint- The source of menthol is one of the oldest household remedies and grows easily in almost any garden. Its brisk aroma and stimulating taste make it a fine beverage in itself, but its wonderful ability to make the stomach happy means it will be doing double duty after a large meal. If you have the chills, fever, upset stomach syndrome, there are few things that will do you more good than a hot cup of peppermint tea, perhaps mixed with chamomile. 

Rosemary- Leaves and flowers of rosemary made into an infusion make a good remedy for headache, colds and nervous disease. Both tension and depression are said to respond to the charm of rosemary. Some believe rosemary is effective against rheumatism, paralysis, weakness of the limbs, and vertigo. A third
of a spoon each of rosemary, anise and peppermint, steeped in a cup of hot water, produce a pleasant mouthwash. One ounce each of rosemary and sage infused in a pint of water for 24 hours makes a hair tonic for treating dandruff. Rosemary is tangy enough to flavor beef, veal and other meat dishes. 

Sage- A singular food for the head and brain; it quickens the senses and memory... and put into the nostrils, it draw the thin phlegm out of the head. Today, sage is still highly valued, although primarily as a gargle and mouthwash for sore throat or inflamed gums. Made into a poultice, it is recommended for ulcers, sores and other skin eruptions. Some reports show that sage is "believed" to quell "vicious sexual desires," but at the same time "will also restore 
normal virility when the failure is not due to venereal disease." it seems you can't go wrong with sage.

Sabal- (Saw Palmetto) It is reputed to be beneficial for the reproductive organs of both sexes, working as an aphrodisiac and tonic. In fact, herbalists use it to treat "honeymoon cystitis"--irritations due to excessive sexual activity. New studies confirm that 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), may contribute to the production of unwanted facial and body hair growth (hirsutism) and in thinning hair (alopecia) in women. The most recent research shows that the prescription drug finasteride (Proscar®) blocks the actions of 5-alpha reductase. This is exciting news, because saw palmetto extract can achieve similar results at lower cost, without a prescription, and without the undesirable side effects associated with Proscar.

Wild Yam- Used by native women for birth control and to prevent miscarriage, this yam produces chemicals from which oral contraceptives and sex hormones are synthesized. Common Use: Anti-inflammatory, heptic, colic, congestion; Antispasmodic, abdominal and intestinal irritation, dysmenorrhea, ovarian pain, uterine tonic; antirheumatic.