TEAS FROM PLANTS AROUND US AND THEIR BENEFITS

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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 RECIPESEach 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 teaDelicious hot or iced.1/4 cup dried lemon balm leaves2 tablespoons dried lemon thyme leaves1/4 cup dried lemon verbena leaves1/4 cup dried lemon geranium leaves1 tablespoon dried lavendar blossoms

afternoon tea, A flavorful blend to enjoy when you

need a

break.1/4 cup

dried hibiscus flowers1/2 cup dried chamomile2

tablespoons

dried rose hips1

tablespoon dried orange peel1 3-inch cinnamon stick,

crushed.

Therapeutic tea,

Whenever a cold threatens, brew yourself a cup of this

tea.

1/3 cup dried thyme1/3 cup dried leaf sage1/3 cup

powdered

gingerlemon

granitaA refreshing finale for a heavy meal.4 cups

zesty

lemon tea (see

above)1 1/2 cups sugar2 1/2 cups fresh lemon

juiceLemon

herbs, lemon zest,

or berries for garnishCombine the tea and sugar in a

large

non-aluminum

saucepan and stir to begin dissolving the sugar. Place

over

medium heat and

cook, stirring, just until the 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 verbena1/4 cup dried chamomile1/4

cup

dried orange peel2

tablespoons dried rosemary1 3-inch cinnamon stick, crusheddigestive teaThis is the tea to drink when you've eaten too much.2 tablespoons dried thyme2 tablespoons dried rosemary1/4 cup dried mint2 tablespoons aniseed1/4 cup lemon verbena.

Bedtime tea,

Try drinking a cup of this when you want a good

night's

sleep.

1/4 cup dried chamomile1/4 cup dried linden leaves2

tablespoons dried mint1

tablespoon dried orange blossoms (optional)2

tablespoons

lemon verbena

 

 

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.~ Albert Einstein ~

 

 

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