There’s a subtle difference between steeping and brewing, and in the world of herbal wellness, it matters profoundly. Steeping — letting herbs sit in hot water for a few minutes — is gentle, intentional, and allows delicate compounds to infuse without stress. Brewing, on the other hand, often involves prolonged high heat that can overwhelm the plant, extract bitterness, and disrupt subtle balancing properties.

At RAYA, we steep because the body, the mind, and the gut respond better to herbs that are invited to reveal themselves, not forced.

01. Ayurveda: Gentle Extraction, Gentle Digestion

Ayurveda values Prana, the life force in plants. Excess heat can destroy this subtle energy. Steeping allows herbs like chamomile, spearmint, or shatavari to release nutrients, flavor, and therapeutic compounds slowly, aligning with Agni — the body’s digestive fire.

Dr. Nidhi Pandya notes:
“Herbs are alive. Steeping is akin to listening — not shouting. It preserves the subtle qualities that support digestion, calm the nervous system, and nourish tissues.”

Ayurveda also emphasizes digestive compatibility: harshly boiled herbs can aggravate Pitta or Vata, creating heat or dryness in the system, whereas steeping maintains balance.

02. Modern Science: Preserving Bioactives

Scientific studies confirm that high temperatures or prolonged boiling can degrade sensitive phytonutrients:

• Volatile oils in mint, chamomile, and fennel are delicate; steeping preserves aroma compounds and antioxidant properties, whereas prolonged boiling can dissipate them.
• Polyphenols and flavonoids are better extracted at moderate temperatures; extreme heat may reduce antioxidant capacity (Journal of Food Science, 2019).
• Steeping optimizes solubility without denaturing fragile compounds, supporting bioavailability and gentle assimilation in the gut.
  

This is why herbal teas consumed steeped, rather than aggressively boiled, often taste sweeter, smoother, and feel calming rather than bitter or heavy.

03. Sensory and Nervous System Benefits

Steeping is also a ritual of mindful preparation:

• Slow infusion engages the senses — aroma, color, and texture — which in turn stimulates parasympathetic activation, calming stress and supporting digestion.
• The gentle warmth encourages vagal tone, connecting mind, gut, and metabolic rhythm.
  

In other words, steeping is medicine for the body and the nervous system.

04. The RAYA Perspective

At RAYA, every herbal blend is designed to be steeped, not boiled. Our seeds, herbs, and floral infusions release their full spectrum of nutrients and aromatics through gentle warmth. The result is a soothing, digestible, and emotionally nourishing experience — one that honors ancient wisdom and modern understanding alike.

Takeaway: Steeping herbs is more than a method — it’s a practice of respect for plant intelligence, digestive harmony, and nervous system balance. Gentle warmth unlocks potency without stress.

References

• Pandya, N. (2023). My Ayurvedic Life: Herbs, Digestion, and Subtle Energy.
• Devraj, V. (2022). Ayurvedic Mentor Podcast: Herbal Practices for Calm and Balance.
• Journal of Food Science (2019). “Effect of Extraction Methods on Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenol Content of Herbal Infusions.”
• Lad, V. (2002). Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 2: Materia Medica.
• Choudhary, R. (2021). Herbal Wisdom: Mindful Preparation and Nutrient Integrity.