RRL Infusion--question

[SheBear]

Anyone else planning to use an RRL infusion during early labor?

I've been planning to try it, and I was wondering.....do you think it would be okay to brew it ahead of time, store it in the fridge, then just heat it on the stovetop when labor starts? Seems like that would be quicker and easier, because I'd have all the straining, etc. out of the way. But would it be as effective?

I'm planning to NOT use the microwave, as I thought that might render it less effective (dunno, but I try not to use the microwave much anyway ), but it seems to me that just pouring it back into a saucepan and heating it should work?

Any opinions before I just go ahead and do it this way?

[vagabonder]

I'm pretty sure I read about people doing this in the RRL Tribe thread. It's a long thread, though, so it would take awhile to scan back over. It seems to me it would be just as effective.

[redeyedvireo]

It sounds like it ought to work. I'd been wondering about that myself - how do I get it to steep sufficiently AND drink it "as hot as possible"? There's some talk on the RRL Tribe monster thread about not letting the water get all the way to boiling, as that reduces the effectiveness, but as long as it just gets hot, it should be good, right? And yeah, I'd definitely stay away from the microwave. I stopped using it for things I eat after I read the summary of the study about microwaved milk leaving detectable levels of carcinogens in the blood of people who drank it. Eep. It still seems like a good way to heat up rice socks and other hot pads, though.

[SheBear]

Yeah, I've read a lot of anti-microwave stuff also and while I'm not a total purist yet, I definitely think twice before using it.

Well, I think I'll go ahead and brew my tea now then. I'll fill the tea kettle, bring the water to boiling, then by the time I pour it onto the leaves, it will be just below boiling. That's how I make regular tea, and it protects the flavor/quality of even very delicate teas, so I figure it will work pretty much the same for RRL.

Then I'll let it steep as it cools, then strain the leaves out and put it in the fridge. Then in the morning when I go into labor (think positive! ), I'll just warm it back up in a saucepan and drink it.

[kittywitty]

I was told to put 1oz. or 2 handfuls in a pint jar with boiling water, cover and steep 30 minutes and drink as hot as possible. I know it loses it's potency the longer it sits. You should only make it 5 days in advance at most.

[guest9921]

How much RRL are you planning on using? And how much water?

I'm sure its in the tribe thread - but I just cant bring myself to read 1,257pages on RRLT.

[guest9921]

And kitty beat me to it.
Thanks!

[SheBear]

That's the amount I'd read, but I don't remember reading the five days thing. That's what I needed to know! I hopehopehopehope it won't be another five days!

Thanks ladies!

[redeyedvireo]

Yeah, here's hoping it won't be five more days - but if it were to go that long (Which of course it won't, right? Right.), you'd have an extra batch of delicious super strong RRL tea to enjoy cold with mint leaves. Or something.

[Diva Mama]

From my favorite herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar:


"To make a decoction, place one ounce of herb per two cups of water into a pot. Add the water and cover the pot tightly. Slowly bring the water to a boil. Simmer gently over low heat for about twenty minutes. Some herbalists recommend simmering for up to an hour. Remove from the heat, strain and drink. If you want a stronger decoction and have the time, let the herb sit cooling in the water overnight before straining."

I think the "drink as hot as possible" part some people have read has to do with how I've used tea this pregnancy: Hot water has a laxative effect when you drink enough quickly. Drinking hot water fast has been my #1 constipation remedy. It's the same principle as castor oil or enemas- irritate the intestines and the uterus might start contracting.

[redeyedvireo]

Ah ha! That makes so much sense! Thank you.

[bobandjess99]

RRL is NOT a decoction! A decoction and an INFUSION are 2 different things!
A decoction is when you are trying to get stuff from hard things, like bark, not tea leaves.
You can NOTboil RRL tea soution, you can bring the water to a boil, but then you have to keep the water COVERED, because the "good" stuff in RRL is carried away in vapor, so by openly boiling on the stove, you are letting all the stuff you WANT escape!


Here is the quote from the Susun Weed site on how to make an infusion:
http://www.herbshealing.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
(in accordance with quoting rules, I have copied a small section, the link takes you to the entire page)
**********************************
An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinking 2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions.

[Diva Mama]

Ugh. I C&Pd the wrong paragraph. No more posting after midnight for me.