Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

French infusion, or immediately < Latin infūsiōn-em, n. of [[action]] < infundĕre to pour in:

French infusion, or immediately < Latin infūsiōn-em, n. of [[action]] < infundĕre to pour in:

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1.  The [[action]] of pouring in (a [[liquid]]), or [[fact]] of being poured in; that which is poured in. Now chiefly fig., as in ‘the infusion of new blood’, which passes into  

*1.  The [[action]] of pouring in (a [[liquid]]), or [[fact]] of being poured in; that which is poured in. Now chiefly fig., as in ‘the infusion of new blood’, which passes into  

An '''infusion''' is the outcome of steeping [[plants]] with desired [[chemical]] compounds and/or flavors in [[water]] or oil.

An '''infusion''' is the outcome of steeping [[plants]] with desired [[chemical]] compounds and/or flavors in [[water]] or oil.

==History==

==History==

The first recorded use of essential oils was in the 10th or 11th century by the Persian polymath [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avicenna Avicenna], possibly in the Canon of Medicine.

The first recorded use of essential oils was in the 10th or 11th century by the Persian polymath [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avicenna Avicenna], possibly in the Canon of Medicine.

==Preparation techniques==

==Preparation techniques==

An infusion is very similar to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoction decoction] but is used with herbs that are more volatile or dissolve readily in [[water]], or release their active ingredients easily in oil. Boiling [[water]] (or water of the appropriate [[temperature]]) is poured over the herb and allow to steep for a time. The amount of time the herbs are left in the water depends on what [[purpose]] the [[liquid]] is being prepared for. Usually 15 to 30 minutes, or until the mix cools, will create a beverage for enjoyment. Four (4) hours is the appropriate time for full herbal potency, if [[health]] benefits are the [[priority]]. The mix is then strained, bottled, and refrigerated for [[future]] use. Quantities of the herb/water or oil mix will vary according to the herb or how strong the infusion is required to be. A common [[proportion]] used is one ounce of herb to one pint of liquid.

An infusion is very similar to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoction decoction] but is used with herbs that are more volatile or dissolve readily in [[water]], or release their active ingredients easily in oil. Boiling [[water]] (or water of the appropriate [[temperature]]) is poured over the herb and allow to steep for a time. The amount of time the herbs are left in the water depends on what [[purpose]] the [[liquid]] is being prepared for. Usually 15 to 30 minutes, or until the mix cools, will create a beverage for enjoyment. Four (4) hours is the appropriate time for full herbal potency, if [[health]] benefits are the [[priority]]. The mix is then strained, bottled, and refrigerated for [[future]] use. Quantities of the herb/water or oil mix will vary according to the herb or how strong the infusion is required to be. A common [[proportion]] used is one ounce of herb to one pint of liquid.

==Examples==

==Examples==

Dried [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb herbs] or other [[plants]] are placed in boiled water for a few minutes, then discarded, and the water drunk as a beverage. A common example is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiTea tea]. Many other drinks ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea herbal teas]) are [[prepared]] in this way. Lemon, chamomile, senna, apple, ginger, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos rooibos], and a great many other [[plants]] are used [[individually]] or in combination. Infusions of this [[type]] are sometimes drunk for [[pleasure]]; others for [[health]]. A longer time before straining results in a bitter-tasting infusion. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_remedies Herbal remedies] and herb-infused oils are prepared with dried herbs, flowers or berries, infused in oil or [[water]]. The herb/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical botanical] is then removed from the oil and the oil is used in herbalism in those preparations that require short-term infused oils. [[Plants]] with desirable flavours may be steeped in an edible oil or vinegar for an extended period; the infused oil or vinegar is often sold still containing the plant, and is then used as flavouring. Chillies, lemon, garlic, and many other plants may be used. There can be [[ambiguity]]: for example, what is described as sesame oil may be oil extracted from sesame seeds, or an inferior [[quality]] vegetable oil infused with sesame.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infusion]

Dried [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb herbs] or other [[plants]] are placed in boiled water for a few minutes, then discarded, and the water drunk as a beverage. A common example is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wikiTea tea]. Many other drinks ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea herbal teas]) are [[prepared]] in this way. Lemon, chamomile, senna, apple, ginger, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos rooibos], and a great many other [[plants]] are used [[individually]] or in combination. Infusions of this [[type]] are sometimes drunk for [[pleasure]]; others for [[health]]. A longer time before straining results in a bitter-tasting infusion. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_remedies Herbal remedies] and herb-infused oils are prepared with dried herbs, flowers or berries, infused in oil or [[water]]. The herb/[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical botanical] is then removed from the oil and the oil is used in herbalism in those preparations that require short-term infused oils. [[Plants]] with desirable flavours may be steeped in an edible oil or vinegar for an extended period; the infused oil or vinegar is often sold still containing the plant, and is then used as flavouring. Chillies, lemon, garlic, and many other plants may be used. There can be [[ambiguity]]: for example, what is described as sesame oil may be oil extracted from sesame seeds, or an inferior [[quality]] vegetable oil infused with sesame.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infusion]

[[Category: Health]]

[[Category: Health]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]