Herb Tea Recipes page 1 2 3 4 5
HERBAL TEAS FOR ASTHMA/BRONCHITIS
Mullein and Anise Blend
1 1/2 C. water
1 tsp. dried aniseed
1 tsp. dried mullein leaves
Bring water to a boil in a glass or stainless steel pan. Add the
aniseed,
reduce heat to medium-high, and simmer, uncovered 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the mullein in a teapot. Without straining, pour
the anise
decoction over the mullein leaves, cover, and steep 10 minutes.
Strain,
sweeten with honey, and sip slowly while warm.
Herbal Water Infusion
2 tbsp of any of the above mentioned herbs, dried
1 quart boiling water
Put the dried herbs into a quart size juice jar; fill the juice jar
with boiling water. Put the lid on the jar and let it sit for 4
hours. Carry the jar with you throughout the day and drink. There is
no need to strain the herb out. Drink up to 1 quart/day for 4 to 6
weeks.
Working with tonic herbs can be very satisfying. It helps us become
more involved in our own health care, and we learn to approach our
healing with long-term, gradual methods of toning and strengthening
ourselves instead of relying so heavily on quick fix pills. Drink
your infusions and enjoy!
Hibiscus High (Solstice Tea)
The red flowering tropical plant gives this drink its unique taste
and wonderful colour. Delicious hot or cold or with a slice of
lemon.
1 part hibiscus flowers
1 part rosehips
1 part lemongrass leaves
1 part orange peel
1 part spearmint leaves
1 part rose petals
a pinch of stevia
Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most
favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes.
Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream
or whatever, to taste.
Honey Apple Iced Tea
4 Tea Bags
3 cup Water -- boiling
1/3 cup Honey
3 cup Apple Juice
In a 2 quart pot, brew tea bags in boiling water.
Remove bags, add honey and apple juice.
Stir well. Pour over ice.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 119 Calories; trace Fat (1.0%
calories
from fat); trace Protein; 31g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg
Cholesterol; 10mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrates.
Hot Basil Tea (tulsi kadha)
2 cardamom
2 cloves
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
600ml water
2 teaspoons Holy basil leaves dried
honey to taste
Remove the cardamom seeds from their husks then roughly crush with
the cloves.
In a heavy bottomed pan dry roast the cloves cardamom cumin and
fennel.
As soon as they start smoking add the water and then the holy basil.
Bring to the boil reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat.
Sweeten to taste with honey.
Serve hot.
This recipe is the surest cure for a persistent sore throat and also
makes a refreshing herbal drink.
Serves 4
Hot Double Berry Tea ~ yields 2 (8-oz.) servings
2 cups water
2 Tbsp. seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
3 Lipton Soothing Moments Regular or Naturally Decaffeinated
Blackberry Flavored Tea Bags
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
In small saucepan, bring water and jam to a boil. Remove from heat
and
add tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags; stir in
sugar
and lemon juice. Pour into teacups and garnish, if desired, with
lemon
twists. Enjoy!
Hummingbird Tea (from Tea Gardens by Ann Lovejoy)
Ruby red in a cup, this blend features flowers that attract
hummingbirds in the garden.
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried rose hips, lightly mashed
2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried pineapple sage flowers and foliage
1 tsp fresh or 1/2 tsp dried anise hyssop flowers and foliage
Cover the herbs with 4 cups of simmering water. Let steep for 3 to 5
minutes. Serve warm or cold.
Iced Apple Jasmine Tea
8 oz. cold Jasmine tea
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup fresh apple cider
1 cup ice
1 tsp. honey
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
In a blender, combine all ingredients.Blend until smooth
and serve over ice in a tall glass. Makes four servings.
Iced Citrus Tea
6 tablespoons lemon balm leaves
6 tablespoons mint leaves
2 tablespoon chamomile
4 cups water
4 tsp.. honey-to taste
Wash and pat dry herbs. If you have dried herbs-
cut the amounts in half or so. Place the fresh herbs
in a stainless steel pan and crush with a wooden spoon.
Add the water and honey. Heat to a boil. Stir to mix.
Let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the herbs out.
Either add to a pitcher of ice right before serving or
add to individual glasses full of ice. Makes 1 quart.
iced tea
You can make iced tea by chilling normal tea but it tends to have a
slightly tannic bitter after taste.
This method does away with any hint of unpleasantness.
I came across it several years ago in a press release sent out by
the tea merchants Betjeman and Barton who recommended their
Pouschkine tea: China tea scented with the oils of orange lemon
grapefruit and bergamot.
It works well with Earl Grey or; if you can get it Whittards
Afternoon tea which is perfumed with bergamot oil and jasmine.
Any good quality light tea would do.
I loathe sweetened hot tea but I find a smidgeon of sugar improves
iced tea.
2 tbsp tea
850ml water
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Caster or icing sugar
Pour the cold water over the tea stir and leave for 24 hours in the
fridge.
Next day strain and stir in the lemon juice and sugar (dont make it
too sweet drinkers can always add more sugar)
Makes 4 glasses.
Iced Tea
2 Bags Mandarin Orange Spice Tea
2 Bags Constant Comment
6 cup Water
6 Slice Lemon
6 Sprig Mint
Brew the tea for not more than 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and cool
tea.
Serve with sugar and lemon. Garnish with mint.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 14 Calories; trace Fat (5.9%
calories
from fat); 1g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg
Cholesterol; 11mg
Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fruit.
Iced Tea - Southern-Style
3 cups water
3 teaspoons (heaping) fresh orange pekoe bulk tea
4 cups cold water
Bring the water to a boil in a non aluminum saucepan. Reduce heat to
low and
add tea; cover and let tea simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain into a
large
pitcher and add 4 cups cold water.
Insomnia Tea
1 ½ oz dried Vervain leaves
1 oz Chamomile
½ oz Spearmint
Mix all and add to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 8 minutes; strain.
Instant Chai Tea Mix
Makes 16 servings
This recipe can be easily doubled/quadrupled, etc.
1/2 cup instant tea powder* (Black tea, Ex.
Darjeeling)
2/3 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons dry milk powder
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar**
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
opt. cracked black peppercorns, to taste (approx. 1/8
tsp)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder***
opt. fresh/dried or even candied tangerine/orange
peeling (Or use some citrus sugar)
In a food processor, combine instant tea, powdered
creamer, milk powder, confectioners' sugar and brown
sugar. Add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom,
allspice and vanilla powder. Process for 2 minutes.
Store in an airtight container.
2 To serve, place 4 teaspoonfuls* in a mug, and fill
with hot water; stir.
*For a stronger tea, use 6 tsp. of mix; If you can
find instant black tea powder, it'll give it a more
authentic Indian taste! (it is hard to find)
**Add more to sweeten (no more than 2/3 c).
***Try vanilla sugar Or vanilla extract.
Instant Russian Tea
1/2 cup instant tea powder
2 cups orange-flavored drink mix (e.g. Tang)
3 ounces lemonade-flavor drink powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
1 In a large bowl, mix together powdered drink mixes, sugar, and
spices.
Place in jars.
2 Instructions to include with gift:
1. Place 2 to 3 rounded teaspoonfuls in a cup.
2. Add boiling water and serve.
Instant Spiced Tea
2 cups powdered orange breakfast drink
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup instant tea
2 packages unsweetened lemonade mix
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mix the ingredients and put them into a glass jar. Label the mix
"Spiced
Tea. Add 2 heaping teaspoons
to 1 cup boiling water.
Jam and Tea
One cup brewed tea
one spoonful of jam
whipped cream (optional)
Place a spoonful of your favorite jam in the
bottom of a mug or cup. Pour the hot tea over
the jam and stir. Top with whipped cream if
desired. I love strawberry jam with strawberry
flavored black tea!
Legend's Fruit Tea
Family size tea bag (decaf tea may be used)
1 quart of cold water
Sugar to taste (If using Equal, 8 to 9 packets)
1-1/2 quarts of Orange Pineapple juice (in a waxed cardboard
carton); usually found in produce section of store)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (may use RealLemon if desired)
Put 1 quart of cold water in pan; add tea bag. Bring to a full boil.
Shut off heat and steep for 5 min. Add sweetener to taste (sugar
or artificial sweetener). Pour into a gallon pitcher; add the Orange
Pineapple juice and the lemon juice. Mix well; chill and serve over
ice. Serves 10 to 12.
Lemon Comfort Herb Tea
2 tsp dried lemon thyme
2 tsp dried lemon balm
1-2 tsp dried echinacea root, chopped
Put herbs in a teapot and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them.
Place teapot lid on top. Steep for 5 minutes, strain into a cup and
add about 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey.
Lemon Comfort
2 teaspoons dried lemon thyme
2 teaspoons dried lemon balm
1-2 teaspoons dried loose Echinacea
Place in a teapot and pour in two cups of boiling water. Steep for
at
least five minutes to make an infusion. Strain into a cup and
sweeten
with honey to taste. Honey is best if you have a scratchy throat.
Lemon Ginger Tea
1 Qt Water
3 Lemons -- juiced
3/4 Lb Fresh Ginger -- peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup Honey
Lemon and Lime Slices to Garnish
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat.
Stir in the lemon juice and ginger. Cover the pan and let steep 20
minutes.
Stir in the honey,and strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into
a pitcher.
Chill thoroughly for several hours.
Serve in ice-filled glasses.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 527 Calories; 3g Fat (4.3%
calories from
fat); 8g Protein; 140g Carbohydrate; 9g Dietary Fiber; 0mg
Cholesterol; 81mg
Sodium. Exchanges: 10 Vegetable; 1 Fruit; 4 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.
Lemon grass tea
bhustrina
indian
9 lemon grass blades 4cm long
600ml water
2 indian teabags
milk and sugar
Boil the lemon grass in the water and simmer for 3 minutes
Add the teabags and take pan off the heat.
Cover and allow to steep for 3 minutes.
Add milk and sugar to taste.
Serve hot.
Use fresh rather than dried lemon if possible. The tea is sure to
refresh if served in the afternoon along with a savoury snack.
Serves 4
Lemon Grass Tea
The part used in cooking is the white inner leaves and stalk. You'll
notice that the grass grows in a tight clump roughly the shape of a
green onion you buy at the grocer's. With gloves on to prevent cuts,
pull one of these clumps away from the parent plant, using a sharp
knife
as needed to sever the roots. In the kitchen peel off the outer
green
leaves. These are tough and have very little flavor. With a sharp
knife
slice the remaining lemon grass cross-wise. This can be used to brew
lemon grass tea (about a tablespoon per cup). You can also include
lemon
grass in a stir-fry or added to a marinade for a mild lemon flavor.
Lemon Herbal Tea
Ingredients:
2 cups dried lemon verbena leaves (or any lemon herb)
1 cup dried chamomile
1 cup dried orange peel
3 tablespoons whole cloves, crushed
1 6 inch cinnamon stick, crushed
Mix and store in a tightly covered container. Mix
again before using (each time). For each cup of
tea, use 1 teaspoon of herbal mixture. Brew as
usual, pouring boiling water over herbs, steeping
for 5-10 minutes and straining. Serve with honey
if desired, and lemon.
Less Stress Tea
Relieves stress, relaxes low back and neck areas.
1 part chamomile
1 part mint
1 part calendula flowers
Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most
favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes.
Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream
or whatever, to taste.
Climb into a closet with your mug, and ENJOY!!
LiptonR BriskR Iced Tea
Here's a great technique for recreating the lemony zing in a can of
Brisk
Iced Tea that'll make those angry little celebrity puppets even
angrier.
Kool-Aid lemonade drink mix has the perfect mixture of citric acid
and lemon
juice solids to help us whip this one up effortlessly just in time
for the
warm months ahead.
3 Lipton tea bags (regular size)
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kool-Aid lemonade unsweetened drink mix
1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the
tea bags
and remove the pan from the heat. Let the tea steep for at least an
hour.
2. Pour the granulated sugar and Kool-Aid drink mix into a 2 quart
pitcher.
Add the tea and stir so that the sugar dissolves. Add additional
water if
necessary to bring the tea to the 2-quart mark on the pitcher. Chill
well
before serving. http://www.topsecretrecipes.com Makes 2 quarts
Indian Liquorice Tea (Mulethiwali Chai)
2 small pieces liquorice root
2 cm piece ginger bruised
750 ml water
2 Indian teabags
Sugar
Milk
Add the liquorice and the ginger to the water and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 3 minute and add the teabags.
Tum off the heat cover and allow to stand for 5 minutes.
Strain and discard the roots.
Serve with sugar and milk to taste.
This is a more medicinal tea than refreshing tea, but it makes a
pleasant alternative to many remedies.
Serves 4
Listen To Me Tea
1 part Lemon Balm
1 part Oregano
1 Part Lemon thyme
1 part Mint
Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most
favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes.
Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream
or whatever, to taste.
LOVE POTION TEA
1 pinch of rosemary
2 teaspoons of black ordinary breakfast tea tea
3 pinches thyme
3 pinches nutmeg
3 fresh mint leaves
6 fresh rose petals
6 lemon leaves
3 cups pure spring water
Honey or Sugar to taste
To make another person fall in love with you, brew this tea on a
Friday during a waxing moon.
Waxing = moving from dark or no moon to full
Place all ingredients in an earthenware or copper tea kettle.
Boil three cups of pure spring water and add to the kettle.
Sweetenwith sugar and honey, if desired.
Before drinking, recite this magical rhyme:
BY LIGHT OF MOON WAXING BREW THIS TEA TO MAKE [lover's name] DESIRE
ME.
Drink some of the tea and say:
GODDESS OF LOVE HEAR NOW MY PLEA
LET [lover's name] DESIRE ME!
SO MOTE IT BE
On the following Friday, brew another pot of the love potion tea and
give some to the person
you want to love you. He or she will soon begin to fall in love with
you.
LOVE POTION TEA
1 pinch of rosemary 2 teaspoons of black ordinary breakfast tea tea
3 pinches thyme 3 pinches nutmeg 3 fresh mint leaves
6 fresh rose petals 6 lemon leaves 3 cups pure spring water
Sugar to taste Honey
To make another person fall in love with you, brew this tea on a
Friday during a waxing moon.
Waxing = moving from dark or no moon to full
Place all ingredients in an earthenware or copper tea kettle.
Boil three cups of pure spring water and add to the kettle.
Sweetenwith sugar and honey, if desired.
Before drinking, recite this magical rhyme:
BY LIGHT OF MOON WAXING BREW THIS TEA TO MAKE [lover's name] DESIRE
ME.
Drink some of the tea and say:
GODDESS OF LOVE HEAR NOW MY PLEA
LET [lover's name] DESIRE ME!
SO MOTE IT BE
On the following Friday, brew another pot of the love potion tea and
give some to
the person you want to love you. He or she will soon begin to fall
in love with you.
LOVE TEA FOR TWO
2 tsp. Rose petals 1 tsp. Spearmint herb 1 tsp. Licorice root
(ground)
1 tsp. Hawthorn herb
a pinch of the following: coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg Vanilla or
Ginger Honey to taste
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Place the herbs and spices listed
above in the hot water;
simmer on low for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for
5 minutes longer.
Strain tea before serving.
Masala Chai
8 teaspoons whole coriander
1 star anise
4 cinnamon sticks, broken
2 teaspoons each:
whole black peppercorns,
allspice,
cardamom pods,
cloves,
dried orange peel and
ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 gallons water
6 Tetley® Classic Blend Tea bags
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Honey, milk or cream to taste
In a small bowl, combine coriander, anise, cinnamon, pepper,
allspice, cardamom,
cloves and orange peel. In a spice mill or coffee grinder, coarsely
grind the
spices. Mix in ginger and nutmeg. Pour water into a 2-gallon pot and
add spice
mixture. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tea
and vanilla
extract and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Strain liquid into large pitcher
and add
honey, milk or cream or wait to offer guests on the side. Tea can be
served hot
or chilled. Yield: 1 1/2 gallons.
<<NOTE: I have used this recipe in a standard coffee urn. It works
wondefully. I
lined the brewing basket as I would for coffee and put the spice
mixture in it.
I then brewed as I would for coffee. When the brewing cycle is
finished, I
carefully remove the brewing basket (so as not to spill the spices)
and then add
Masala Chai
8 teaspoons whole coriander
1 star anise
4 cinnamon sticks, broken
2 teaspoons each:
whole black peppercorns,
allspice,
cardamom pods,
cloves,
dried orange peel and
ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 gallons water
6 Tetley® Classic Blend Tea bags
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Honey, milk or cream to taste
In a small bowl, combine coriander, anise, cinnamon, pepper,
allspice, cardamom, cloves and orange peel. In a spice mill or
coffee grinder, coarsely grind the spices. Mix in ginger and nutmeg.
Pour water into a 2-gallon pot and add spice mixture. Bring to a
boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tea and vanilla extract
and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Strain liquid into large pitcher and add
honey, milk or cream or wait to offer guests on the side. Tea can be
served hot or chilled. Yield: 1 1/2 gallons.
NOTE: I have used this recipe in a standard coffee urn. It works
wondefully. I lined the brewing basket as I would for coffee and put
the spice mixture in it. I then brewed as I would for coffee. When
the brewing cycle is finished, I carefully remove the brewing basket
(so as not to spill the spices) and then add the cream and
sweetener. The church folks request this every winter!
Masala Tea
(from Herbal Teas and Infusions)
Per serving: 1 tsp Ceylon or Darjeeling tea
1 pinch cardamon 1 pinch ginger 1 pinch cinnamon 1 pinch powdered
vanilla (or a drop of extract)
boiled milk 1 tsp granulated sugar
Steep tea and spices at least 10 minutes, strain tea, add milk and
sweeten to taste. Serve very hot. Great for rainy evenings.
Mellow Mood Tea
This tea is made with the most palatable of the calming herbs.
Blended together, they'll defuse stress and anxiety and promote
sound sleep.
WHAT YOU NEED
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers
1 teaspoon lavender spikes
1 teaspoon kava leaves
1 teaspoon lemon balm leaves
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 spray valerian flowers
1 quart water
WHAT TO DO
In a large saucepan, steep the chamomile, lavender, kava, lemon
balm, marjoram, and valerian to taste in the freshly boiled water.
Strain out the plant material. Drink the tea hot or cool as often as
needed, refrigerating any left over for later use.
CAUTION: Chamomile is in the rag weed family, and many are allergic
to herbs.
Memory Zest Blend
A mentally refreshing beverage, to help give you feelings of clarity
and precision.
1 part ginkgo
1 part gotu kola and peppermint leaves
1 part red clover tops
1 part rosemary leaves
1 part ginger root
a pinch of stevia.
Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most
favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes.
Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream
or whatever, to taste.
Climb into a closet with your mug, and ENJOY!!
Migraine Tea
1 2/3 oz dried St Johns Wort
1 oz Valerian
1 oz Linden flowers
1/4 oz Juniper berries
Use 1 tsp of mixture per 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes &
strain.
Mint and Lemon Iced Tea
3 cups of boiling water
4 black tea bags
2 fresh mint sprigs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
5 cups cold water
Fresh mint and sliced lemon for garnish
Use the boiling water to brew the black tea with
the mint sprigs for 5 minutes. Strain or remove
tea bags and mint. Add sugar and lemon juice,
stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in cold water.
Serve over ice, garnish with fresh sprigs of mint
and a slice of lemon. Makes 8 servings.
Tip - Mint Ice Cubes for Iced Tea
We used to pick fresh mint
along the ditch banks, clean the leaves, and put one leaf in each
section of ice
tray. Add water and freeze, then put ice cubes with mint in tea.
Looked pretty
and had a nice taste.
Mint tea
Add a clump of bruised fresh mint leaves to a pot of very weak tea
(or for purists) to boiling water only. Leave to infuse then pour
into small tumblers and add a fresh leaf or two to each plus sugar
if you take it.
Mint Tea Sorbet
(from Cooking with Herbs)
Makes 1 1/2 pint. A refreshing treat on a hot summer day.
1 1/2 pt prepared Earl Grey tea
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 large handfuls fresh mint leaves -try a fruit scented one
juice of 1 lemon juice of 1 orange
1/2 egg while, whisked
Bring the tea and sugar to just below a boil, remove from heat, add
the mint, cover and leave to cool. Remove the mint and add the fruit
juice. Place in a freezer until it is half frozen. Whisk a small
amount of the frozen mixture into the whisked egg white, then gently
fold into half frozen mixture and freeze until firm.
Mom's Morning Tea
2 cups boiling water
30 mint leaves
sugar to taste
1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves
1 teaspoon English breakfast tea
Boil water, sugar and mint for about five minutes. Place
tea leaves into coffee thermos and pour boiled mixture over
the tea leaves and allow to infuse for 20 minutes, and enjoy
for your morning treat!
Moon Ease Tea
For that time of the month.
2 parts crampbark
1 part chaste tree berries
1 part each spearmint & skullcap leaves
1 part marshmallow root
1 part passionflower herb
1 part ginger root
Procedure
Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most
favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes.
Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream
or whatever, to taste.
Herb Teas for Cold and Flu and Women's Problems
Tulip Tree photo by socialkat
herbal e-books, recipes and so much more
HERBAL TEAS
To prepare herbal tea, use approximately one to three teaspoons of herb per cup of boiling water. Boil water but do not use an aluminum kettle. Pour water into a mug or pot leaving herbs to steep for at least five minutes, but don't leave for longer than ten minutes or the tea may become bitter. For stronger tea, use more herb rather than steeping the tea for a longer time. Store herbal tea in amber colored or opaque jars, never in clear glass jars. The potency of the herb may be destroyed by light. Mild teas can be used daily over long periods of time with no ill effects.
Anise:
Protection, purification, awareness, joy.
For treating coughs, bronchitis and a stuffy nose, good breath freshener, digestive aid and relieves upset stomach and flatulence, treatment for colic. Relieves the discomfort of menopause. Promotes milk production in nursing mothers. Sedative.
Basil:
Protection, love, healing relationships, courage, fertility, exorcism.
Calming the nerves, settling the stomach, and easing cramps and good for the bladder.
Caraway:
Protection, passion. Mild stimulant for digestion.
Catnip (flavor with mint): Peace.
Used to treat colds and insomnia. Lowers fevers, dries up postnasal drip, gets rid of bad headaches and relieves sore aching bones due to colds and flu.
Chamomile:
Love, Relaxation. Calming.
Great for digestion, fevers, burns, anti-inflammatory for wounds, and sedative for nervous disorders. Relieves stomachaches and diarrhea in infants and children (always use in diluted form). Gentle sleep inducer. Makes an excellent insect repellent, simply by splashing some tea on face, arms and feet.
Cayenne:
Excellent flu fighter. Promotes fast recovery, stops internal and external bleeding, said to prevent heart attacks and also helps with depression and headaches.
Cinnamon:
Spiritual quests, augmenting power, love, success, psychic work, healing, cleansing.
Digestive aid. Used for diarrhea, dysentery or general indigestion.
Clove:
Dispels negativity, protection, draws money, defrays gossip, vision, cleansing.
An expectorant for colds, also good for relief of nausea or vomiting. An analgesic helping prevent disease and infection.
Comfrey:
Safe travel, draws money, healing.
Slows bleeding, aids colds, eases burns. As a tea may be applied to bites, sores, rashes, broken bones, and cuts.
Dandelion:
Divination, welcoming, messages.
Ground root can be used as a coffee substitute. A tonic and a relief for common stomach problems. Use a handful of flower tops to 1 pint of boiling water.
Fennel:
Purification, protection, healing, money.
Employed as an appetite suppressant and digestive aid. Weak solution can help babies with gas.
Ginger:
Protection, Coughs and Colds. Power, success, love, money.
Place a few slices of fresh ginger in boiling water. Good for cramps, to stimulate the digestive organs, migraines and nausea, external stiffness. For pain you can also soak cloths in ginger tea and apply them directly to the painful areas. A good healing tea is made from a pinch of peppermint, a pinch of ginger and either a pinch of clove powder or 2 bruised cloves, add 1 cup of hot water and steep.
Ginseng:
Love, wishes, beauty, desire. Stimulant, tonic, an agent for prolonged life.
Also a mild pain killer, and improves blood circulation. Reported to successfully treat asthma, bronchitis, cancer, flatulence, diabetes, weakness, fever, coughs and heartburn, and a mild stimulant. Relieves stress and moderate heart disease.
Lemon:
Purification, love, blessings. Sweetens breath. Antiseptic, antibacterial and hypotensive.
For chills and sore throat, the juice of a lemon mixed in a glass of honey and warm water. Stimulates the digestive system.
Licorice Root:
Love & Sex. (boil licorice root)
Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint:
Draws money, healing, strength, augments power, purification, luck, safe travel.
Aids upset stomachs, flu, and can be used to ease hiccups. Used instead of aspirin, particularly for premenstrual headaches. Aids the respiratory and circulatory systems. An anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. Ideal for treating indigestion,, flatulence, varicose veins, migraine, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and general fatigue.
Nettle:
Averts danger, protection, healing.
Use gloves to handle so as to avoid getting pricked. High in vitamin C and iron and can ease asthma and up your energy levels.
Parsley:
A treatment for cramps.
Red Clover Tops:
Powerful antioxidant, and assists with menopausal hot flashes.
Rose Hips & Hibiscus:
Love, friendship, luck, protection, psychic power and divination. High in vitamin C.
Rosemary:
Improves memory, sleep, purification, youth, love, power, healing, protection, intellectual.
Promotes healing of wounds, acts as an antiseptic, and can be a mild stimulant. Good for treating flu, stress, and headaches or body aches. Mental and physical booster.
Sage (sweetened with honey):
Long life. Fertility, wishes, wisdom, protection. Can be used to aid digestion.
Thyme:
Sleep, psychic energy, courage, healing. Powerful antiviral, antibiotic, and diuretic properties.
It helps eliminate wastes from the body. Is used in treating whooping coughs, warts, rheumatism and acne. Useful for poor digestion, exhaustion, colds, and infections, and with honey is an effective treatment for sore throats. Also used as a fever breaker, headache reducer and to be rid of intestinal worms, and also a great insect repellent. Use both the leaves and flowers. This tea works best for headaches when taken cold.
Turmeric:
Added to warm milk it regulates menstrual cycle.
Valerian:
Love, calming, sleep.
Promotes relaxation while counteracting the effects of insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, headaches, premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramping. Gets fighting couples together.
Yarrow:
Courage, love, psychic abilities, divination.
A very potent healer, it intensifies the medicinal action of other herbs taken with it. Helps eliminate toxins (good for colds). The tea drunk prior to divination will enhance one's powers of perception (a touch of added peppermint enhances its action). Also stops arthritis symptoms such as swelling & inflammation and generally ends aching, sore muscles, stiff joints or back pain.
Herbal Teas
Most herbal teas are infusions made by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried herb leaves or flowers for 5 to 10 minutes to release the herbs aromatic oils. The general rule is 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 3 teaspoons fresh crushed herb to 1 cup boiling water. Some herbs may require more or less herb for desired taste. For stronger taste it is better to add more herb than to steep longer as some herbs become bitter with long steeping. Most berries and roots and a few herbs need simmering to bring out their flavor (noted if needed)
Agrimony
-pleasant tea, generally infused with Licorice root and served at meals. Sweeten with honey.
Alfalfa leaf
-appetite stimulating, rich in vitamins and mineral, flavor improved by addition on Peppermint or other preferred flavor.
Basil
-subtle flavor and aroma. May also be used to add flavor and aroma to Oriental black tea.
Bergamot
-used by American Indians. A tea with a "wild taste".
Betony
-an excellent tea for daily use when Oriental teas must be avoided. The flavor somewhat resembles Oriental black tea. A bit of dried orange peel, or Clove, may be added.
Birch Bark
-this makes a tea with a flavor similar to wintergreen.
Blue Mountain Tea
- makes a golden brew, and has a warm anise-like flavor and fragrance. Sweeten with brown sugar or honey. Serve hot.
Borage
-mild refreshing cucumber-like flavor; high in organic calcium and potassium; not recommended for extended daily use.
Boteka Tea
-A few Boteka leaves used with a good quality black tea, adds a taste and flavor that is most excellent.
Burnet
-cucumber-like flavor. Lemon and sugar may be added.
Cassina
-pleasant tea whose caffeine content is mildly stimulating.
Catnip
-stimulates appetite if served cold before meals, aids digestion if served hot after meals, served hot makes a soothing nightcap.
Chamomile
-delicate flavor with fruity aroma, one of the most popular herb teas available. Chamomile tea may be made in several ways. Before dinner with ginger grated over the steeping brew; after dinner by adding Fennel, 1 part to 2 of Chamomile. Cold Chamomile tea often gives a sense of relief after a heavy meal. May be sweetened with honey, and a thin slice of lemon or orange may also be added.
Cinnamon
-fragrant and refreshing
Clover Blossom
-delicate flavor, must be simmered for a short time, good with peppermint or spearmint added.
Damiana
-fragrant golden tea, with a delicious aroma and agreeable slightly bitter taste.
Desert Tea
-a good aroma and quite different flavor than other teas.
Dictamus (Gas plant)
-strong lemony-like scent.
Elder Flower
-pleasant, good with addition of mint, helps induce sleep
.
Fennel Seed
-an agreeable tea for children, and the aged, when taken warm and slightly sweetened.
Fenugreek
-smooth flavor, soothing
Fragrant Hyssop
-a sweet scented herb used for its particular flavor.
Galangal
-to give bouquet to Oriental tea, or added to bland herb teas such as Alfalfa, Strawberry leaf, etc., to heighten the flavor, sweetly aromatic.
Ginger
-Used as a warming tea sweet pleasant flavor, sooths nerves, aids digestion.
Lovage
-flavor similar to celery thus more like broth than tea, may be flavored with season salt.
Marjoram
-serve hot or cold, mint leaves nice addition.
Mint
-for all mint teas steep only 5 minutes, aids digestion; most suitable for children
Mugwort
-should not be steeped long. sweeten with brown sugar.
Nettle
-warming tea on cold days. Dried leaves should be rubbed through a coarse sieve, added to tea. 3 parts Nettle to 1 part tea. The flavor is improved if this mixture is stored for some time before using.
Oswego tea
-Used by American Indians(Monarda Didyma)
Parsley
-aromatic tea, rich in Vitamin C
Pennyroyal
-flavorful and fragrant tea with somewhat minty taste, CAUTION: should not be used during pregnancy. CAN BE TOXIC ANYTIME
Raspberry leaf
-use only dried leaves. Good tea for pregnant women.
Rose Hips
-high in Vitamin C, good for daily use, the dried finely chopped rose hips must be soaked 12 hours before use, simmer for 40 minutes, hibiscus flowers make a nice addition.
Rosemary
-fragrant tea. add a few Lavender flowers an a bit of lemon and honey.
Sage
-aids digestion. sweeten with maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey. Can be flavored with a squeeze of orange, lemon, or a dash of rum, pinch of mace, or cinnamon.
Sarsaparilla
-good combination: 1 part Sarsaparilla; 1 part Sassafras; 1/2 part Virginia Snake root. Prepare like tea but allow longer steeping time. Place saucer over cup to retain heat longer. Sweeten with brown sugar, maple syrup or honey.
Sassafras
-rose colored tea, spring tonic.
Slippery Elm
-Pour boiling water over cut Slippery Elm bark; when cold, strain, add lemon juice and sugar to taste. Slippery Elm tea can often be retained in the stomach, when other teas may not agree.
Spice Bush tea
-(Laurus Benzoin) tea must be boiled 5-10 minutes to extract the essence. fragrant, spicy and pleasant. Sweeten with brown sugar or maple syrup.
Strawberry Leaf
-pleasant and fragrant tea, high in Vitamin C, good substitute for coffee or oriental tea (contains tannins as does oriental tea), use only dried leaves for tea.
Thyme
-aromatic tonic tea, some recommend it for hangovers.
Wintergreen
-tea is rose colored and has a naturally sweet flavor, leaves a lingering pleasant after-taste.
Woodruff
-delightful fragrant tea, can be steeped up to an hour. A pinch of herb adds a delicate flavor to Oriental black teas.
Yerba Mate
-contains caffeine, but in smaller amounts than coffee, good substitute for coffee or oriental tea.
More Herbal Teas
Have a Cuppa?
Through the ages, long before modern doctors prescribed a wonder drug to help us with almost every ailment, it was the witches, shamans and priests before them, that brewed up the various drinks, ointments and poultices that have kept the human race flourishing. In the past decade there has been a renewal of interest in herbs for help with health issues.
The original applications were not always used with
improved vitality in mind. Some were administered to
protect or enhance mental or psychic qualities in the
recipient or with the intent to charm certain situations
into being.
I am providing you with a brief list of various herbs used
for a wide variety of reasons below. Many of these teas
are now available in "health food stores"
To prepare herbal tea, use approximately one to three
teaspoons of herb per cup of boiling water. Boil water but
do not use an aluminum kettle. Pour water into a mug or pot
leaving herbs to steep for at least five minutes, but don't
leave for longer than ten minutes or the tea may become
bitter. For stronger tea, use more herb rather than steeping the tea for a longer time. Store herbal tea in amber colored or opaque jars, never in clear glass jars. The potency of the herb may be destroyed by light. Mild teas can be used daily over long periods of time with no ill effects.
Anise:
Protection, purification, awareness, joy. For
treating coughs, bronchitis and a stuffy nose, good
breath freshener, digestive aid and relieves upset
stomach and flatulence, treatment for colic. Relieves
the discomfort of menopause. Promotes milk production
in nursing mothers. Sedative.
Basil:
Protection, love, healing relationships, courage,
fertility, exorcism. Calming the nerves, settling the
stomach, and easing cramps and good for the bladder.
Caraway:
Protection, passion. Mild stimulant for digestion.
Catnip (flavour with mint):
Peace. Used to treat colds
and insomnia. Lowers fevers, dries up postnasal drip,
gets rid of bad headaches and relieves sore aching bones
due to colds and flu.
Chamomile:
Love, Relaxation. Calming. Great for digestion,
fevers, burns, anti-inflammatory for wounds, and sedative
for nervous disorders. Relieves stomachaches and diarrhea
in infants and children (always use in diluted form).
Gentle sleep inducer. Makes an excellent insect repellent,
simply by splashing some tea on face, arms and feet.
Cayenne:
Excellent flu fighter. Promotes fast recovery,
stops internal and external bleeding, said to prevent
heart attacks and also helps with depression and
headaches.
Cinnamon:
Spiritual quests, augmenting power, love,
success, psychic work, healing, cleansing. Digestive aid.
Used for diarrhea, dysentery or general indigestion.
Clove:
Dispels negativity, protection, draws money, defrays
gossip, vision, cleansing. An expectorant for colds, also
good for relief of nausea or vomiting. An analgesic
helping prevent disease and infection.
Comfrey:
Safe travel, draws money, healing. Slows bleeding,
aids colds, eases burns. As a tea may be applied to
bites, sores, rashes, broken bones, and cuts.
Dandelion:
Divination, welcoming, messages. Ground root can
be used as a coffee substitute. A tonic and a relief for
common stomach problems. Use a handful of flower tops to
1 pint of boiling water.
Fennel:
Purification, protection, healing, money. Employed
as an appetite suppressant and digestive aid. Weak
solution can help babies with gas.
Ginger:
Protection, Coughs and Colds. Power, success,
love, money. (place a few slices of fresh ginger in
boiling water) Good for cramps, to stimulate the
digestive organs, migraines and nausea, external
stiffness. For pain you can also soak cloths in ginger
tea and apply them directly to the painful areas. A
good healing tea is made from a pinch of peppermint, a
pinch of ginger and either a pinch of clove powder or
2 bruised cloves, add 1 cup of hot water and steep.
Ginseng:
Love, wishes, beauty, desire. Stimulant, tonic,
an agent for prolonged life. Also a mild pain killer,
and improves blood circulation. Reported to successfully
treat asthma, bronchitis, cancer, flatulence, diabetes,
weakness, fever, coughs and heartburn, and a mild
stimulant. Relieves stress and moderate heart disease.
Lemon:
Purification, love, blessings. Sweetens breath.
Antiseptic, antibacterial and hypotensive. For chills
and sore throat, the juice of a lemon mixed in a glass
of honey and warm water. Stimulates the digestive system.
Licorice Root:
Love & Sex. (boil licorice root)
Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint:
Draws money, healing,
strength, augments power, purification, luck, safe travel.
Aids upset stomachs, flu, and can be used to ease hiccups.
Used instead of aspirin, particularly for premenstrual
headaches. Aids the respiratory and circulatory systems.
An anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. Ideal for treating
indigestion,, flatulence, varicose veins, migraine, skin
irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and general fatigue.
Nettle:
Averts danger, protection, healing. Use gloves to
handle so as to avoid getting pricked. High in vitamin C
and iron and can ease asthma and up your energy levels.
Parsley:
A treatment for cramps.
Red Clover Tops:
Powerful antioxidant, and assists with
menopausal hot flashes.
Rose Hips & Hibiscus:
Love, friendship, luck, protection,
psychic power and divination. High in vitamin C.
Rosemary:
Improves memory, sleep, purification, youth,
love, power, healing, protection, intellectual.
Promotes healing of wounds, acts as an antiseptic, and
can be a mild stimulant. Good for treating flu, stress,
and headaches or body aches. Mental and physical booster.
Sage (sweetened with honey):
Long life. Fertility, wishes,
wisdom, protection. Can be used to aid digestion.
Thyme:
Sleep, psychic energy, courage, healing. Powerful
antiviral, antibiotic, and diuretic properties. It helps
eliminate wastes from the body. Is used in treating
whooping coughs, warts, rheumatism and acne. Useful for
poor digestion, exhaustion, colds, and infections, and
with honey is an effective treatment for sore throats.
Also used as a fever breaker, headache reducer and to be
rid of intestinal worms, and also a great insect
repellent. Use both the leaves and flowers. This tea
works best for headaches when taken cold.
Turmeric:
Added to warm milk it regulates menstrual cycle.
Valerian:
Love, calming, sleep. Promotes relaxation while
counteracting the effects of insomnia, anxiety,
nervousness, headaches, premenstrual syndrome and
menstrual cramping. Gets fighting couples together.
Yarrow:
Courage, love, psychic abilities, divination. A
very potent healer, it intensifies the medicinal action
of other herbs taken with it. Helps eliminate toxins
(good for colds). The tea drunk prior to divination will
enhance one's powers of perception (a touch of added
peppermint enhances its action). Also stops arthritis
symptoms such as swelling & inflammation and generally
ends aching, sore muscles, stiff joints or back pain.
07 Tea - Herbal Teas 2
Herbal Teas
Chamomile
A mild sedative, it is said to aid digestion adn relieve menstral cramps. Also believed to help colicy babies. Small amounts of pollen residue in the tea may cause dermatitis or toher allergic symptoms in people sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, and other members of the daisy family.
Dandelion
Tea made from this common weed is mildly diuretic. Some women use it to reduce problems of premenstral bloating.
Elder Flower
Extracts of elder are sometimes used in over-the-counter cold remedies, and elder flower tea may alleviate cold and flu symptoms. The flowers and ripe berries of the elder are safe, but avoid the roots, stems and leaves. The tea is a mild stimulant.
Fennel
With a flavor similar to licorice, fennel tea is used to sooth an upset stomach. Traditional herbalists often recommend it as an appetite suppressant and slimming aid.
Lavendar Flower
Tea brewed from dried lavender flowers ais said to be mildly sedative.
Lemon Balm
This minty tea may help soothe jittery nerves.
Nettle
Made from the same plant that causes stinging skin irritation, nettle tea is rich in Vitamin C and several minerals. Herbalists recommend it to treat arthritis and gout and to increase milk production in nursing mothers.
Peppermint
Tea from this mint plant is refreshing and may stimulate digestion. It should be avoided by anyone with a Hiatal Hernia, because peppermint promotes reflux of the stomach contents into the esophagus.
Raspberry Leaf
Herbalists recomment raspberry tea to ease discomfort from menstral cramps.
Rose Hip
Rich in Vitamin C, rose hip tea can substitute for orange juice when citrus fruits are not readily available.
Rosemary
Tea from this popular garden herb is said to relieve gas and colic, but drinking more than two or three cups a day may irritate the stomach.
Thyme
Herbalists recommend thyme tea for gastrointestinal complaints and to alleviate lung congestion.