Sister Abigail Hester

Tag: recipes

  • 🌿 Nourishing Herbal Infusions: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellness

    Inspired by Susun Weed | By Sister Abigail Hester, CNC

    In the fast-paced chaos of our world, we need rituals that root us, nourish us, and connect us back to the Earth and our own inner rhythms. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to do that is with nourishing herbal infusions, a practice popularized by beloved herbalist Susun Weed.

    These are not your average tea bags. Infusions are strong, mineral-rich, deeply restorative brews that support whole-body vitality, especially for women, queer and trans folks, caregivers, and anyone recovering from chronic stress or depletion. And best of all? They’re affordable, safe, and easy to make at home.

    🌸 What Is a Nourishing Herbal Infusion?

    Unlike a light tea, a nourishing herbal infusion is made by steeping a full ounce (about one cup) of dried herb in a quart of boiling water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This longer steeping time extracts an abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and nourishing compounds that heal and rebuild the body over time.

    You strain the infusion in the morning, refrigerate it, and drink a cup or more throughout the day—hot, room temp, or chilled.

    🌿 Sister Abigail’s Top 5 Infusion Herbs

    Here are five classic infusion herbs Susun Weed recommends, and that I use in my own kitchen apothecary:

    1. Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)
      A powerhouse of chlorophyll, calcium, iron, protein, and trace minerals. Supports adrenal health, energy, and hair/skin health.
    2. Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
      Gentle and calming, oatstraw helps soothe the nervous system, restore depleted nerves, and ease anxiety and stress.
    3. Red Clover Blossoms (Trifolium pratense)
      Rich in phytoestrogens and cleansing for the lymphatic system. Great for hormone balance and breast health.
    4. Linden Flower (Tilia spp.)
      Soothing, heart-centered, and anti-inflammatory. Supports emotional healing, lowers blood pressure, and helps with grief.
    5. Comfrey Leaf (Symphytum officinale)
      Known as “knitbone,” comfrey is deeply nourishing to bones, joints, and tissues. Used safely in infusion (not root), it helps rebuild the body.

    🫖 How to Make a Nourishing Infusion

    You’ll need:

    • 1 oz dried herb (about 1 cup, loosely packed)
    • 1 quart (32 oz) boiling water
    • A quart-size mason jar or French press
    • Fine mesh strainer

    Instructions:

    1. Place the herb in your jar.
    2. Pour boiling water to fill the jar completely.
    3. Cap it and let it steep 4–10 hours (overnight is ideal).
    4. Strain into a clean jar. Compost the herb.
    5. Refrigerate and drink 1–4 cups daily. Best within 48 hours.

    🌈 Infusion Rituals for the Spirit

    As a Franciscan Clarean and a kitchen witch of sorts, I often turn infusions into sacred rituals. As you pour the boiling water, whisper a blessing. As the herbs steep, imagine the plant spirits whispering healing into your life. And as you sip, breathe in gratitude.

    You can also set intentions:

    • Nettle for strength and courage.
    • Oatstraw for emotional healing.
    • Red Clover for self-love and feminine balance.
    • Linden for peace and heart-centered living.
    • Comfrey for restoration and resilience.

    🧡 Final Thoughts

    Susun Weed teaches that “simple herbs used simply restore wholeness.” These infusions are not just drinks—they’re nourishment, empowerment, and medicine from the Earth herself. In a world that depletes us, let this be one of the ways you pour love back into your body.

    If you’d like to explore these infusions with me further, I’ll be sharing some daily infusion blends and a video tutorial for Insiders soon. Until then—steep slow, sip deep, and stay nourished.

  • The Power of Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Daily Tonic for Health and Healing

    🍯 The Power of Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Daily Tonic for Health and Healing

    In the world of natural remedies, few combinations are as simple, powerful, and time-tested as honey and apple cider vinegar. When combined in warm water and taken regularly, this dynamic duo becomes more than a folk remedy—it becomes a daily practice in vitality, digestion, and whole-body wellness.

    🌿 The Simple Recipe

    This recipe was shared by renowned herbalist Dr. John R. Christopher, a pioneer in natural healing whose wisdom continues to guide generations of herbal practitioners.

    • 1 tablespoon raw honey
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (ACV)
    • Stir into a cup of warm (not hot) water
    • Sip slowly
    • Repeat three times daily

    By the end of the day, you’ll have consumed a total of 3 tablespoons of each.

    📌 Important: Be sure to use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with “the mother”) and raw, unpasteurized honey. Never substitute distilled white vinegar or processed honey, which lack the healing enzymes and nutrients your body needs.

    🍎 Why Apple Cider Vinegar?

    Apple cider vinegar has been used medicinally for centuries and praised by herbalists like Dr. Christopher and Dr. Bernard Jensen. Its benefits include:

    • Digestive support: Stimulates stomach acid for better digestion and nutrient absorption
    • Detoxification: Promotes gentle liver cleansing and helps alkalize the body
    • Blood sugar balance: May reduce blood sugar spikes after meals
    • Antimicrobial: Helps combat harmful bacteria and support a healthy gut microbiome
    • Heart health: Some studies suggest modest reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure

    The fermentation process produces acetic acid, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria that make raw ACV a living food and natural tonic.

    🍯 The Healing Power of Honey

    Honey is more than just a sweetener—it’s a natural medicine. As noted by herbal traditions and the writings of Samuel Thomson and ancient healers:

    • Antibacterial & antifungal: Raw honey can fight infection and soothe sore throats
    • Soothing for the gut: Helps relieve ulcers, indigestion, and gastritis
    • Rich in antioxidants: Protects cells from oxidative stress
    • Energy booster: Provides quick natural energy with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes
    • Cough relief: Time-tested remedy for calming a nighttime cough

    When paired with apple cider vinegar, it also helps neutralize the sour taste, making the tonic more palatable and enjoyable to drink.

    💧 Why Warm Water?

    Warm water helps dissolve the honey more easily and makes the drink soothing and easier to digest. Cold water can slow digestion, while hot water may destroy some of the living enzymes in raw honey and vinegar. Think of warm water as the perfect delivery system for these healing ingredients.

    🌞 A Morning and Evening Ritual

    Many people find that drinking this tonic:

    • Before meals improves digestion
    • In the morning helps stimulate energy and cleanse the system
    • Before bed soothes the gut and promotes restful sleep

    🛑 A Few Gentle Precautions

    • Always rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after drinking, as the acidity can weaken enamel over time.
    • Consult your healthcare provider if you have acid reflux, diabetes, or are taking medications—especially potassium-lowering drugs or diuretics.

    ✨ Natural, Affordable, and Time-Tested

    This remedy—learned from Dr. John R. Christopher—is simple, affordable, and based on centuries of folk wisdom and natural health teaching. It doesn’t come in a plastic bottle or with a commercial jingle—just the healing gifts of bees and apples.

    So go ahead—mix a glass of honey and apple cider vinegar today. Your body will thank you.

  • 💧 Healing Waters

    💧 Healing Waters

    Quotes • Water Infusion Recipes • Hydrotherapy Tips

    🌿 Sacred Quotes About Water

    “Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.”
    — Albert Szent-Györgyi, Nobel Prize-winning biochemist

    “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”
    — St. Francis of Assisi

    “A little pure water drunk early in the morning is a wholesome remedy.”
    — John Wesley, Primitive Physick

    “Nature cures, but she must be given the opportunity.”
    — Dr. Sebastian Kneipp

    “Drink pure water and you will think pure thoughts.”
    — Dr. Paul C. Bragg

    🍋 Easy Water Infusion Recipes

    Infused waters support hydration and natural detoxification while bringing joy to your daily routine. Try these combinations:

    🌼 Refresh & Cleanse:

    1 lemon slice

    3 cucumber slices

    4 mint leaves

    Optional: pinch of sea salt
    Let steep in cold water for 15–30 minutes.

    🍓 Radiance Water:

    3–5 sliced strawberries

    A few basil or mint leaves

    Slice of lime
    Chill and enjoy. Great for skin health!

    🌸 Calm & Comfort:

    Chamomile tea bag (cold-steeped or brewed and cooled)

    Thin slices of pear

    Dash of cinnamon or clove
    Relaxing for evening routines or emotional self-care.

    🌿 Digestive Tonic:

    Slice of ginger root

    Fennel seeds (1/4 tsp in a tea bag or infuser)

    Lemon wedge
    Sip after meals for digestive support.

    🚿 Simple Hydrotherapy at Home

    1. Contrast Showers:
      Alternate 1–3 minutes of hot water with 30 seconds of cold water. Repeat 3–5 cycles. Finish with cold.
      Benefits: Boosts circulation, strengthens immunity, invigorates the nervous system.
    2. Herbal Sitz Bath:
      Add chamomile, lavender, or calendula to a shallow warm bath. Sit for 15–20 minutes.
      Uses: Postpartum care, pelvic inflammation, spiritual grounding.
    3. Cold Compress Revival:
      Soak a washcloth in cold water with a drop of peppermint oil. Apply to forehead or back of neck during fatigue, fever, or tension.
      Bonus: Add a short prayer or breath meditation while applying.
    4. Foot Soak & Blessing:
      Warm water with Epsom salts, rosemary, and lavender. Soak feet 10–20 minutes.
      Use as a self-care ritual. Recite:

    “Blessed are the feet that walk the path of healing.”