CAMAS PRAIRIE

Brewing natural organic herbal blends is not a precise process. Each batch of our essiac blend will have its own unique brewing characteristics.

Our brewing instructions (found in each container of essiac blend) are as accurate as we could make them and should yield excellent results. However, individual results may vary. (For complete Brewing Instructions click page tab on left)

Below are some more tips that will answer some of the questions you might have when brewing our essiac blend.

1. Why does the yield of the essiac blend vary with each bag or jug?

• If you let the brewed essiac blend sit longer in the fridge, more of the liquid may be absorbed into the roots and herbs.
  
• New batches or lots of the herbs in the blend can have different absorption levels.
  
• More water may evaporate than expected when boiling.
• The mucilaginous consistency of the Slippery elm component will vary.
  

2. Sometimes my tea is "syrupy."

• This is perfectly normal and actually is a good thing. Slippery elm bark is a naturally syrupy mucilaginous demulcent. (A demulcent is a soothing, oily substance similar to glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.)
  
• If you are not using the full four ounces from the bag be sure to shake the bag well before mixing the dry herbs in the liquid.  
  
• If you are using our blend from the 3 lb. jug please shake the jug well before each brewing session.

3. What happens if I let the brewing tea sit longer than the recommended 12 hours?

• Nothing. While the blend is sitting the constituents are being extracted from the herbs. We recommend 12 hours for the blend to sit for maximum constituent extraction. If you let it sit for less time then less of the constituents will be extracted. You can leave it sit beyond the 12 hours up to a point. We would say that 24 hours should be the longest time you extract the herbs. You don't want to leave it sit for "days" because bacteria will begin to grow. It is similar to any vegetable, or vegetable juice that you would leave in the fridge.

4. How long can I store the finished blend in the fridge?

• Two to three weeks