Nourishing herbal infusions + Ball Canning giveaway
Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10:42AM
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As some of you might know from my instagram updates, I’ve been in herb school for the past nine months, which has carved out a special space, or rather, bumped my usual home lifestyle activities. You might have noticed that blogging has taken the backseat while I learn about all the ways we can care for ourselves with plants. I’m swimming in new information and my brain is full to the brim. I’m excited to share with you some the knowledge I’ve gathered over this course from my dear friend (and future business partner!) and herbal educator, Ginger Webb.
Herbs work to the extent that you personally believe in them and make actual connections with plants. If this is all too woo woo for you, then herbalism might not be the path for you. Or give them a shot and don’t write them off as ineffective if they don’t work for you.
Infusions are like making a cup of tea, that’s just really strong and sits infusing for 4 or more hours. We learned about infusions via the the infusions goddess, Susun Weed. Certain herbs are known for their nourishing properties and these herbs in particular are perfect for infusions. I make and drink one daily and I enjoy the ritual and general witch’y feeling of the project.
Infusions are easily absorbable ways to get plant minerals. Minerals from herb infusions go right into your blood stream vs. having to go through gut to enter. The long hot water infusion process brings minerals into suspension which means you are able to absorb them en route to and in your stomach and not after the plant undergoes digestion in the small intestine.
Our main team of mineral rich herbs for infusions includes Stinging Nettle, Oat Straw and Red Clover. These herbs when steeped in an infusion contain protein, macro minerals (calcium magnesium, etc) and trace minerals our bodies need in our over-processed and over-refined world. All of these herbs are safe for children and adults at any point. Mix and blend them or try them individually and switch up your regime each day. Beyond the nourishing factors of this team of herbs, oatstraw has an anti-depressant benefit among many others. Nettle is particularly nourishing to the kidneys and adrenal glands. Red Clover is high in flavonoids, which are anticarcinogenic. I have half-gallon mason jars of each of these dried herbs sitting on my counter for easy access in the morning.
How to Make Herbal Infusions
1/2 oz dried herb
16 oz filtered water
Bring water to a boil and pour over dried herb in a quart sized glass jar. Loosely place lid or plate over the jar and allow to infuse for 4 hours. Strain and refrigerate and/or drink within 8 hours to get the minerals while in suspension. I typically double the batch to drink a quart of infusion daily; I make it in my half-gallon mason jar.
Now, onto some other exciting business. I’m thrilled to partner with Jarden Home Brands, makers of the iconic Ball Canning mason jars, again in offering up a great assortment of their latest collection and new arrivals to one lucky reader. This year’s color release = BLUE! They even have lids to match now.
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I adore their new 8oz jelly jars and have coveted old jars I had in this shape. It’s so nice to be able to buy them new now. I use the widemouth half-gallon jar daily for my herbal infusions.
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This new lid that comes on a widemouth quart jar is a great way to both pour from and measure out contents of your jars. You could stick it on any widemouth jar, too.
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Perhaps most excitingly, you’ll get 4 of each of the new sizes for the blue jars. I use them for an airtight seal with herbs, spices, dry grains, dry goods from the bulk section, dried fruit and so much more in these jars and I love having the blue color in rotation for my reliance upon jars for storage. I of course can and pickle and ferment and these jars are ideal for those purposes as well. I tend to covet my blue ones though and want them in daily rotation vs. squirreling them away in my larder.
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How to enter
US Residents only please per Jarden Home Brands shipping restrictions. Please use the widget below for a chance (or 6!) to win the following:
- Collection Elite Colored Series Jars: For the first time, the Ball® brand has introduced a line of never-before released blue jars in three sizes: Regular Mouth Half Pint, Wide Mouth Pint and Wide Mouth Quart. (4 of each size)
- Collection Elite Color Series Lids with Bands: To complement the introduction of the Ball® Collection Elite® Color Series jars, new lids and bands in a beautiful metallic blue design have also been released. (1 box regular and 1 box widemouth)
- Collection Elite Design Series Jam Jar: Discontinued in 2006, the Ball® Collection Elite® Design Series Jam Jar is back this year by popular demand! (4 jars)
- Pour & Measure Cap: The #2 use for mason jars outside of canning is storage. With the new Ball® Pour & Measure Cap, both dry goods and liquids can be stored and measured with ease. (1 jar with lid)
- Super-Wide Mouth Half Gallon Jar: The new Ball® Super-Wide Mouth Half Gallon Jar is the perfect vessel for flour, sugar, cookies and more, made with a push-top lid for ideal pantry storage and designed to give you easier access to the contents of your jar. (1 jar)
Good luck and happy infusing!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Reader Comments (86)
I store dry herbs, tinctures and dry goods in my jars. The blues are very pretty and would compliment my collection of cobalt blue knick-knacks.
A wild berry infussion would be great in those jars
These jars are beautiful. I would use them for canning garden vegetables and jellies.
I love your blog. I would use the jars for infusions. Thank you for educating us!
I make Cherry Chipotle Bbq Sauce, would love to use the jars for that and other things like pickles ect...
Great site! I'd love to store tea blends in these jars!
Love mason jars of all sizes. Lotions and liquid soaps would be great in blue jars. I do use them for food too!
I would use them to can some of my mom's famous salsa. Thanks for the chance!
I need to get Ball mason jars for fermenting vegis and storing Kombucha, among other canning purposes. Fermented foods and Kombucha would be very therapeutic and healing to my gut, considering I have Hashimoto's disease and a few other autoimmune conditions. Thanks for your consideration.
I have wanted to learn how to can for a long time! We use all our Masons right now for my Mom's canning and our meal preparation and travel. Have to find the right travel accessories to keep them intact!
Loved your post. I love herbal infusions and drink everyday. I really love the new Ball jars. So many ways to use them from infusing herbs, storing herbs, tincturing, fermenting, to canning and more.
thanks for offering this great giveaway! I'd love to use these jars for herbal infusions, infusing oils with herbs, kefir and so much more. The pour spout and the large wide mouth would be so useful for a lot of the concoctions I make in my kitchen. Happy Herbing!
I love making herbal infusions, and fermenting. And I never have enough jars! I would really love this collection!
I would keep herbs in them as well as herbal infusions. Beautiful!
I would use these for my coconut oil infusions, and also for storing my hydrosols! Please please pick me! :)
I store EVERYTHING in glass jars--no more plastic! I love the wide-mouth pint jars and use the couple I have all the time, so would be grateful for more. I'm growing a large herb garden this year, so I'll learn from you as you're learning!
I love the jelly jars, I would put all sorts of jams in those. The blue jars are so pretty, I would store lots of dry goods in them in my open shelf pantry. My kitchen is blue and brown and the blue jars would look lovely in there.
I would use these for so many things! For making herbal goodies, storing herbs and food, vases for lovely bouquets, canning, so many things! :)
I just made some rhubarb-apple-strawberry jam last night and I'd like to do more spring fruit preserves!
I'd use them to organize my pantry. Dry goods storage! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would fill the jars with herbs, teas, tinctures. I already use them because they are easy to see what is in them. I would also use them for making jam, and lotions. They are they best!!!
I would love to win these jars! I have a huge garden this year and need to can to preserve all of my produce. I would love to put herbs or pickles in these jars!
I would can some salsa and pickles with these jars!
Salad dressing, ricotta with mix ins, and pickles would all be amazing in these jars!
This is such a rad giveaway! I can store my homemade almond milk, chia seed pudding, as well as drink smoothies/water out of these beauties and when I'm feeling daring try out some herbal infusioning! Xoxo~