Herbal Teas
Teas All around Us
You can pick the ingredients for teas and salads. The rampant use of herbicides and pesticides in North America, however, has made me careful about where I pick my edibles. An organic garden is the safest place, but whenever hiking or camping away from civilization's reach, you can collect a good assortment of wild plants for a refreshing tea or for a munch-as-you-go salad. All summer long, Use tea ingredients fresh. Dry or freeze the surplus for winter use.
Take Your Pick
The various mints are well-known as herbal ingredients. Most of them are stimulating, but one of them, catnip, is a relaxant and may help to promote a good night's sleep.
Raspberry and blackberry leaves taste like green tea. They are a well-known aid for female complaints but can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Leaves from rose bushes have a flavor similar to those of raspberry leaves, and the delicate rose petals are reminiscent of jasmine flowers in Chinese teas.
Rosehip is one of the best-known sources of vitamin C and is enjoyed by people who prefer a slightly sour taste. In some commercial teas, the acidity is intensified by the addition of hibiscus. The ascorbic acid, of course, is lost in water and heat, but the nutrients which accompany the vitamin C are not affected.
Strawberry leaves have a delicate flavor. They are among my favorites.
The whole fireweed plant is the tea staple of the aboriginals of British Columbia. The flavor is quite mild.
Clover and alfalfa leaves are rich in minerals. Use them along with the flowers. A local health food manufacturer packages a tasty tea called Alfamint, consisting of alfalfa leaves and spearmint. It is quite refreshing, especially as iced tea, sweetened by a touch of honey.
Red clover flowers are full of sweet nectar. The founder of the above mentioned health food producer, Gerhard Seier, recommends their daily use as a cancer preventive.
Calendula is called pot marigold in England, because the leaves are used in cooking. I prefer the flowers in teas and salads. Go easy on them until you get accustomed to the taste.
Basswood leaves are a soothing ingredient when the flowers are not available. The basswood flower tea is often referred to by its German name "Linde" or its English name "lime." It is easily the most palatable tea even for small children. I recommend it when you have a cold, because it will make you perspire even without a sauna.
Hawthorn leaf is similar to basswood in texture. Like the flowers and berries, it is said to strengthen the heart.
Violet leaves and flowers also have a soothing texture like basswood and hawthorn as well as a delicate flavor.
The needles of evergreen trees are good not only in baths, they give teas a taste of adventure. I learned about this ingredient from Canada's aboriginal people.
Many of the cooking herbs can also serve as tea. Thyme, for example, is one of the best remedies for respiratory congestion and inflammation, and rosemary is supposed to be a heart strengthener.
Ten Teas From Plants Around You And Their Benefits
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All about Chai with recipes
Brewing Teas
A Tea Infusion
Put 1 heaping teaspoon of dried (double if using freshly picked herbs) cut leaves and/or flowers intoa preheated cup or pot. Add 8-12 ozs. boiling water, stir briefly. Cover and let steep for 8-10 minutes. For a more "medicinal" effect steep 15-120 minutes. Strain and drink. Will keep refrigerated for 24 hours.
A Tea Decoction
Put 1 heaping teaspoon of cut herb, seed, root, and/or bark into a stainless steel, glass or enamel pot. Add 8-12 ozs. cold water, cover. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low simmer for 10-40 minutes, depending on how "medicinal" you want it. (Cool if desired.) Strain and drink. Will keep about 72 hours if kept refrigerated.
Tea Bags
Tannic acid can help draw the heat from a burn. Drop 2-3 tea bags in a
bath - put under the spout while the water is running to get the most out of
the tea bags. Add a decoction of comfrey root for more pain relief.
Another method is to make a decoction using 3-4 tea bags
2 cups of fresh mint leaves and 4 cups water.
Strain liquid into a jar and allow to cool. To use, dab the mixture on
sunburned skin with a cotton ball or washcloth.
You can also make a poultice out of 2-3 tea bags and place over the burned
area. Or, simply place wet tea bags directly on the burn and cover with a
piece of gauze to hold them in place.
Magical Teas
These teas are intended to be drunk before a ritual or spell. They help put you in the right mood for your magic and can lend some extra energy.
Below is a list of a few of the herbs that can be added to teas. Other NONPOISONOUS herbs can be used but these are the better tasting ones..
Anise- Calling Spirits
Bergamont- Success
Burdock Root- Purity, Protection
Chamomile- Mediation
Elder Flower- Divination
Eyebright- Mental and Psychic Power
Hyssop- Purification
Lemon (Leaves)- Lust
Lemon Balm- Health, Success
Mugwort- Divination
Mullien- Divination
Rose Hips- Psychic Power and Divination