Herbal Teas from Plants around us and their benefits

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HERBAL TEAS FROM PLANTS AROUND US AND THEIR BENEFITS

 

 

 

Persimmon Tea: The leaves when dried and crushed make a fine strong tea. Can be

 

used all year round. Rich in vitamin C. Used as a healthful tonic.

 

 

 

Sassafras Tea: Boil fresh roots after washing, until water turns reddish brown.

 

Can be sliced and dried for later use. Claimed by some to be a blood thinner a

 

blood purifier, to help bronchitis, a stimulating spring tonic. Mostly it is

 

used for pure enjoyment.

 

 

 

Birch Tea (Wintergreen): Black, yellow and white birch. Dried leaves can be

 

used year round. A large handful of fresh leaves steeped in hot water was drunk

 

1 to 2 cups a day for rheumatism and headaches. Said to reduce pain of passing

 

kidney stones, and a fever reducer. Cold it was used as a mouthwash.

 

 

 

Blackberry/Raspberry Tea: The dried mature leaves of these brambles make a

 

good tea. Used to help control diarrhea, as a blood purifier and tonic. Use all

 

year round.

 

 

 

Blueberry Tea: The dried mature leaves are steeped until cool and drunk 1 to 2

 

cups per day as a blood purifier and tonic. Also used to help inflamed kidneys

 

and increase the flow of urine. Somewhat bitter. Use all year round.

 

 

 

Alfalfa Tea: The dried and powdered leaves and flower heads make a very

 

nutritious tea, but it is somewhat bland. We suggest mixing them with normal

 

teas to stretch them and add nutrition. Its vitamin content was the reason it

 

was used. Used

 

all year round.

 

 

 

Wild Strawberry Tea: Use dried leaves normally. Pour several cups boiling water

 

over a handful of fresh leaves in the evening. Cover and let steep overnight

 

Strain water and reheat in the morning. Believed to help with a multitude of

 

things, from stomach troubles, eczema, diarrhea, etc.According to experts, it

 

is much more healthful than purchased coffee or teas. Use all year round.

 

 

 

Wild Rose-Hip Tea: A handful of these steeped for 10 minutes, then strained,

 

make a healthful tea. Can be used dried or fresh in season. Instead of boiling,

 

place a handful in cool water overnight, then stain and reheat in the morning.

 

Use all year round. Strong Vitamin C content. Helps with Colds and the flu.

 

Also for sore throat.

 

 

 

Sweet Goldenrod Tea (Anise): Can use dried or fresh leaves or flowers. Makes

 

a very flavorful tea. Pure enjoyment only!! Used all year round.

 

 

 

Soldier's Herb Tea: This common yard weed with green leaves and two seedie

 

spikes was used by the colonials and Indians alike. One teaspoon of seeds per

 

cup of boiling water steeped for 1/2 hour was used for dropsy and jaundice. A

 

tea from fresh leaves (chopped fine), one heaping teaspoon per cup of boiling

 

water steeped for 1/2 hour. For dried powdered leaves, use one level teaspoon

 

and reduce time to 15 minutes. Drunk 4 to 5 times a day until relief was

 

obtained. Used for gout, to help clean out nasal passages and to slow

 

menstruation. Also used to expel worms. A tea cooled made from rainwater was

 

used as an eyewash.

 

 

 

Ginger Tea: Good for nausea and motion sickness. Make a tea using ginger, or

 

add some to a cup of weak black tea.

 

 

 

Rosemary Tea: A handful of rosemary steeped for 10 minutes - this tea is good

 

for headaches.

 

 

 

TIPS:

 

All teas unless specified are brewed with 1 teaspoon dry material or 2

 

teaspoons fresh material to 1 cup of water. Always steep. This means pouring

 

hot water over material and letting set for 5 - 15 minutes. Always dry leaves

 

and roots out of the sun, in dark airy places. Then store in airtight

 

containers.

 

 

 

HERBAL TEA RECIPES

 

 

 

Each recipe brews about 30 cups. Keep the extra blends in air-tight glass jars

 

in a dark, cool cupboard. If you want to substitute fresh herbs in any of these

 

recipes, just triple the amount.

 

 

 

zesty lemon tea

 

Delicious hot or iced.

 

1/4 cup dried lemon balm leaves

 

2 tablespoons dried lemon thyme leaves

 

1/4 cup dried lemon verbena leaves

 

1/4 cup dried lemon geranium leaves

 

1 tablespoon dried lavendar blossoms

 

 

 

afternoon tea

 

A flavorful blend to enjoy when you need a break.

 

1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

 

1/2 cup dried chamomile

 

2 tablespoons dried rose hips

 

1 tablespoon dried orange peel

 

1 3-inch cinnamon stick, crushed

 

 

 

therapeutic tea

 

Whenever a cold threatens, brew yourself a cup of this tea.

 

1/3 cup dried thyme

 

1/3 cup dried leaf sage

 

1/3 cup powdered ginger

 

 

 

lemon granita

 

A refreshing finale for a heavy meal.

 

4 cups zesty lemon tea (see above)

 

1 1/2 cups sugar

 

2 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

 

Lemon herbs, lemon zest, or berries for garnish

 

Combine the tea and sugar in a large non-aluminum saucepan and stir to begin

 

dissolving th esugar.Placeovermediumheatandcook,stirringjustuntilthe

 

liquid comes to a boil and the sugar is dissolved. Remove the lemon syrup from

 

the heat and allow it to cool completely. Stir in the lemon juice and pour the

 

mixture into a shallow glass or enamel dish. Place the dish in the freezer for

 

5 hours, stirring thoroughly every hour. After 5 hours, pack the granita in a

 

bowl or decorative mold and refreeze. Unmold before serving and garnish with

 

herbs, zest, or berries.

 

 

 

spicy tea

 

A great pick-me-up on cold afternoons.

 

1/4 cup dreid lemon verbena

 

1/4 cup dried chamomile

 

1/4 cup dried orange peel

 

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

 

1 3-inch cinnamon stick, crushed

 

 

 

digestive tea

 

This is the tea to drink when you've eaten too much.

 

2 tablespoons dried thyme

 

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

 

1/4 cup dried mint

 

2 tablespoons aniseed

 

1/4 cup lemon verbena

 

 

 

bedtime tea

 

Try drinking a cup of this when you want a good night's sleep.

 

1/4 cup dried chamomile

 

1/4 cup dried linden leaves

 

2 tablespoons dried mint

 

1 tablespoon dried orange blossoms (optional)

 

2 tablespoons lemon verbena

 

 

 

Here are a couple of tea blends you can use to soothe away the effects of a

 

stressful day....

 

They come from the book 'Herbal Teas' by Kathleen Brown and published by

 

Storey Books

 

 

 

Happy Days Tea

 

(for days when the weight of the world is upon you, this tea helps brighten

 

your attitude)

 

 

 

1 part borage leaves

 

1 part calendula blossoms

 

1 part nettle leaves

 

1 part oatstraw

 

1 part basil leaves

 

 

 

Blend all herbs in a pot and cover with boiling water. Stir well, cover,and

 

steep 15 to 20 minutes.

 

 

 

You need 1 oz total of dried herbs for a quart of water.

 

 

 

You can mix the dried herbs together and store them until you want the

 

tea...but be sure to stir them again, to make them be evenly distributed,

 

before you measure them to make the tea

 

 

 

Calming Chamomile Delight

 

1 part chamomile flowers

 

1 part oatstraw

 

1 part red clover blossoms

 

1 part skullcap leaves

 

1/2 part spearmint leaves

 

1/2 part violet leaves and flowers

 

1/8 part rose petals (organic)

 

 

 

This soothing and nourishing formula feeds nerves and has the wonderful

 

refreshing apple taste of chamomile. Good for the daylight hours or

 

pre-bedtime use.

 

Combine all herbs in a pot, and cover with boiling water. Stir well, cover,

 

and steep 15 to 20 minutes.

 

 

 

Here's one for tummy upsets

 

 

 

Tummy Tune-Up

 

1 part catnip leaves

 

1 part fennel seed

 

1 part ginger root, freshly grated

 

1 part peppermint leaves

 

1/4 part orange slices (organic)

 

 

 

Combine all herbs in a pot, and cover with boiling water. Stir well, cover, and

 

steep 15 to 20 minutes.

 

A great general digestive aid, this teas tastes good too.

 

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown