I know that spring is coming and we are all thinking of warmer weather and signs of new life, but some of us are also thinking of planting or transplanting herbs on our window sills or in our outdoor herb gardens!
Some that we plant will be for medicinal use, some will double for other things and some will simply be for . . . tea! Something you might want to think about, as you are choosing your herbs, are your favorite tea blends. Why not brew your own from herbs your have grown yourself? It's so easy!
All you need is a good tea ball, or infuser, or do-it-yourself tea bags and fresh or dried herbs.
{This looks like one of mine}
There are some great store-bought teas that I enjoy using (one of my favorites is Traditional Medicinals) but I also like to make my own from some of the herbs I grow. When I make my own, I sometimes use my old tea ball. There are other tea balls/infusers that are everything from practical - wire mesh ~ to whimsical - floating ducks w/holes in the bottom to let the herbs do their magic.
There's even a really neat one we sell at the health food store that is simply a mesh 'basket' for the herbs w/a ring around the top that sits on top of your tea cup! So cute! {See below . . . }
It is SO simple to make your own tea mixes . . . after looking at some of my recipes - some gathered over the last few years, some of my own - you will probably come up with some ideas of your own family. :-) NOTE: I personally enjoy hot teas more than iced teas and I use hot teas for medicinal purposes, too, so these recipes are best used for hot teas.
**PLEASE NOTE** New tea blends will be added as discovered. Bookmark this page and then stop back from time-to-time and see what's new!!
CINNAMON-CLOVE-GINGER TEA
~1" knob of ginger
~hot water
~1-2 cinnamon sticks
~1 ts. whole cloves
~1 TB. honey
1) Peel ginger, finely grate 2-3 TB (*depending upon your taste buds, or if you are preparing this for someone w/a cold or sinus infection).
2) Place ginger and cloves into the ball/infuser, place cinnamon stick into cup or mug of hot water, let steep for 5-10 minutes until it is as strong as you like it.
3) Add honey while tea is still hot so that it will melt and blend well.
**This is a great cold/sinus tea.
CHAMOMILE-LAVENDER COMFORT TEA
~2 ts. chamomile flowers
~2 ts. lavender flowers
~hot water
~honey
1) Add flowers to tea ball/infuser, place in hot water, let steep for 5-10 minutes.
2) Add honey while tea is still hot for a better blend.
**Recommended before bed or to relieve stress. Ahhhh . . . This tea is also good for up-set stomach, a digestion aid, headaches and migraines, it's also a good breath freshener! Good for menstrual cramps.
PEPPERMINT TEA
~1 TB dried peppermint OR 2 TB fresh peppermint
~Hot water
~Honey, if needed
1) Add peppermint to tea ball/infuser, place in hot water, let steep for 5-10 minutes.
2) Add honey while tea is hot, IF you need it. Most of the time, I don't.
**Peppermint tea is good for relaxation, digestion and to cause perspiration to aid in reducing fevers.
SAGE TEA
~1 TB dried and crumbled sage leaves
~1 ts. Chamomile (optional)
~1/2 ts. lemon zest OR a big squirt of real lemon juice (I get those plastic lemons w/real juice)
~hot water
~honey
1) Add sage and lemon zest to tea ball/infuser (OR squirt the juice directly into the tea cup/mug), add hot water; steep for 5-10 minutes.
2) Add honey to taste while water is still hot.
**Sage tea can be used for so much: it can be used to BOTH drink and gargle for mouth sores and sore throats, it can be used as an astringent for oily skin (soak a cotton ball in it), it can be used as a rinse for grey and silver hair; there is also some evidence to show that it helps w/lowering blood sugar and even slows the on-set of Alzheimers! And you thought sage was JUST for cooking! '-)
BLADDER INFECTION TEA
{you will want to make a pot of this and drink it throughout the day}
~1-1/2 oz. dried goldenrod
~3/4 oz. dandelion root
~3/4 c. rosehips
~hot water
**Either make a pot OR keep this mixture in an air-tight container and make a cup at a time by using about 2 ts for each cup, OR 3 ts per mug.
**Goldenrod is very well known to help with nearly any urinary tract disorders. It flushes the kidneys, bladder, can help with stones and even thrush/Candida. Dandelion root is a gentle cleanse ~ you will often find that it is "just enough." Goldilocks would have LOVED it. :-) It is also one of the best, but for some reason one of the least used, sources of clean, non-constipating iron sources for women. Rosehips have more Vitamin C than citrus fruits and, thus, will raise the acidity of your urine which will kill the bacteria. **Important Note** While recovering from a ANY urinary tract infection, cut out ALL sugars . . . even honey for your tea.
UPSET TUMMY TEA
~1/2 ts. dried ginger root
~1/2 ts. whole cloves
~1 ts. chamomile flowers
~hot water
1) Add herbs to tea ball/infuser,
2) add hot water, steep for 5-10 minutes
3) only sweeten IF necessary
**Ginger root is known all over the world as the go-to item for up-set stomachs and nausea. Clove and chamomile will help calm and relax; keeping your tummy from being tense will help heal and settle.
TEA FOR NURSING MOTHERS #1
~1 ts. fennel seeds
~hot water
1) Add fennel seeds to tea ball/infuser
2) add hot water, steep for 5-10 minutes
**If you prefer a mug rather than a cup, use 2 ts.
TEA FOR NURSING MOTHERS #2
~1 ts. fennel seeds
~1/4-1/2 ts. fenugreek
~1/4 ts. blessed thistle
~spearmint
~1 star anise star-shaped bud
**this is a mug-sized serving**
1) Add herbs to tea ball/infuser
2) add hot water, steep for 5-10 minutes
**Fennel seeds have long been known to increase breast-milk production because it triggers the let-down reflex so that a baby may nurse. It is an anti-inflammatory, so in that way, it can relax and open up the milk ducts, especially if mama if having trouble expressing for a breast pump. Fenugreek can work fairly quick, especially when used with Blessed Thistle. Blessed Thistle is well known to relax and de-stress; also helps with anxiety and adrenal health. Spearmint is not only tasty, but will calm and allow an easier flow of milk. Star Anise is well known to stop colic in babies and young children.
KIM'S SLEEP TIGHT SINUS TEA
~1/4 ts nettle
~1/4 ts peppermint
~1/2 ts chamomile
1) add herbs to tea ball/infuser
2) add hot water, steep for 5-10 minutes
3) add honey to taste
**This is probably my family's favorite tea blend. I originally started making it for THE Man and DD#2 for 3 purposes: 1) the nettle makes this a great tea for opening their sinuses and reducing night-time sneezing and stuffiness due to allergies, 2) the chamomile relaxes them and helps them to enjoy a peaceful sleep, 3) the peppermint helps their digestive tract to gently work while they sleep and gives it a slightly sweet taste; you may not even need the honey.
CLOVE TOOTHACHE (and SLEEP) TEA
~1 or 1-1/2 ts whole cloves
1) add cloves to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes, but drink hot to very warm
**Cloves are renowned as an aid for toothaches, but many may not know that clove tea will give you a quick, restful sleep with the sweetest dreams. For toothaches, drink this tea hot and swish each sip over the effected tooth before swallowing.
BREATH DEEP ~ SIT BY THE FIRE TEA
~1/4 ts peppermint
~1/4 ts eucalyptus
~1/4-1/2 ts dried orange peel
~1/4-1/2 ts whole cloves
~1/2 ts chamomile (optional)
1) add herbs and orange peel to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes
3) add honey, if desired
**This is another family favorite, especially me :-) This is one of those cozy blends that will not only open your breathing passages, but is just the right blend for those cold winter nights while you relax with a book or an old movie, or sit in front of the fireplace while you watch the snow fall outside your window. Add the chamomile for extra relaxation.
COUGH SUPPRESSANT AND DIGESTIVE AID TEA
~1/4 ts peppermint
~1/4 ts eucalyptus
~1/4 ts licorice root
~1/2 ts slippery elm bark
1) add herbs to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes
3) add honey, if desired
**This is a real two-for-one tea. 1) If you have a cold, the licorice root and slippery elm make a great throat coat-cough suppressant; 2) they are also two of the best ingredients to stop that little rumbly in the tumbly (as Winnie-the-Pooh would say) at those times when something just isn't digesting correctly and you want to STOP what's happening from turning into a long visit to the restroom. :-(
LIGHT DETOX TEA
~1 or 1-1/2 ts dandelion root
1) add herb to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes
**This simple tea is one the the best gentle cleanses. If you need a gentle detox/cleanse, drink this tea 3 times a day for 3-4 days.
HEADACHE COMFORT TEA
~5-6 whole cloves
~1/4 ts dried orange peel
~1/4 ts white willow bark
~1/8 ts chickweed
~1/8-1/4 ts nettle
~1/8-1/4 peppermint
1) add herb to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes
**White willow bark is a known pain reliever, especially good for headaches and joint pain. Chickweed also helps with minor pain relief, sore muscles, minor inflammation and light cleansing. Nettle opens up the sinuses and allows for good breathing, breathing well also helps with headaches and all-over comfort. Cloves help to relax and also makes this a good bed-time-headache-relief tea. Peppermint and orange peel not only help with digestion, but are just plain tasty in a tea.
ULCER TEA
~1/2 ts licorice root
~1/4 ts peppermint
~1/4 ts parsley
~1/2 yarrow
~1/4-1/2 ts chamomile
~1/4-1/2 ts white willow {**optional}
1) add herb to a tea ball/infuser
2) steep for at least 10 minutes
**Licorice root has been a well-known irritant healer since ancient Greek times. It soothes and calms ~ and heals ~ all sorts of inflammatory digestive ailments: ulcers, gastritis, stomach acid and GERD, canker sores. It also helps with other inflammatory problems such as: swollen joints, arthritis and vein health. Peppermint, as mentioned above, is well-known to aid with digestion. Parsley is highly nutritious and is often included in herbal/plant-based vitamin and mineral supplements. It also is an anti-inflammatory and helps with gout and arthritis and flushes wastes out of the body. Parsley may also bring on a period that's late due to illness. Yarrow is a known would healer and ointments made with this herb have seen used for centuries in Scotland and the UK for wounds and, as such, helps to heal ulcers as well. Yarrow is also known to help regulate periods, help with digestion and ~ adding just a ts to Baby's bottle or squirted into Baby's mouth with a dropper ~ can help with colic. Another anti-inflammatory, it can also help with hay fever, lower blood pressure and give relief for poor circulation. Chamomile (German) is everyone's go-to calmative, and we all know that anyone with an ulcer needs to stay calm. Chamomile also helps relieve spasms, thus helping calm ulcers. White Willow is for pain relief and may be used as an option for severe flair-ups.
STOP SMOKING ~ HEAVY METALS DETOX TEA
~1/2-1 ts licorice root
~1/4 ts peppermint
~1/2 ts China green tea
~5+ jasmine flower buds (to taste)
~1/4 ts blessed thistle (optional)
**mug sized serving**
1) add herbs, tea and flowers to tea ball/infuser
2) steep in hot water for at least 10 minutes, longer if you need it to be stronger
3) drink as often as you can throughout the day
**This is basically a heavy metals detox tea. Your 2 main concerns when you quit smoking are calming cravings and detoxing the heavy metals that you've been putting into your system (FYI ~ I know, I quite smoking about 12 years ago and I WISH I had known about this tea, at that time). Short of going cold turkey and satiating your oral habit with food, thus gaining weight, this tea will help with something beneficial to put in your mouth. Some people can get by with just the Licorice Root, alone ~ by chewing it when they want to light-up, or with a tea. Licorice Root calms, aids with nervous digestion problems and sore throat that may come from the weaning process. Peppermint also helps with digestion, a breath sweetener ~ because most detoxes and cleanses can cause bad breath. China Green Tea will give you a boost in clean energy, anti-oxidants, and naturally contains the Amino Acid L-Theanine ~ a lovely, natural relaxant that your body recognizes and uses to the fullest to de-stress. Jasmine Flowers are another stress reliever with a light, pleasant taste.
WOMEN'S RELAXING TEA
~1/2 ts German chamomile
~1/2 ts raspberry leaf
~1/2 ts peppermint
1) add herbs and flowers to tea ball/infuser
2) steep in hot water for at least 10 minutes, longer if you need it to be stronger
3) drink as often as you can throughout the day
**German chamomile is known world over to have a lovely calming effect. Raspberry leaf is also well-known to help with all sorts of women's issues through all stages of life. Peppermint helps with digestion. Good digestion, in itself, helps with relaxing.
ADRENAL RECOVERY TEA
~1/4 c. holy basil
~1/8 c. schisandra berries
~1/8-1/4 c. licorice root
~1/8 c. German chamomile
~tea ball/infuser
~glass jar, tea tin or other air-tight container
~small mixing bowl
~whisk
**If I especially want this to be a "sleep well" blend, I add
~1 heaping TB cloves
~1 ts orange peel
1) in a small mixing bowl, gently whisk all ingredients to blend; carefully pour into your air-tight container.
2) fill your tea ball/infuser with 1-1/2 ts of herbs for a mug-sized serving
3) pour hot water over the herb-filled tea ball/infuser and let steep for 10 minutes
4) take our tea ball/infuser, throw away used herbs and enjoy. You probably won't even want to "spoil" this comforting tea with honey.
5) keep what's left in you air-tight container handy for your next cup.
**Holy Basil, an adaptogenic herb, even all by itself, is of great benefit for adrenal glands. A real stress reliever. Schisandra berries, another adaptogenic, helps with stress, liver function, contains cancer-fighting lignans (as does flex seed oil), helps with menstrual cramps, improves brain function, helps with depression and even helps the sex drive. Licorice root calms and helps with sore throats. German chamomile is a sweet, gentle soother.
Kim's Wellness Tea
My Wellness Tea is a blend that helps with everything from adrenals, to joint pain (remember, at the health food store, I'm on my feet ALL day), sinus/breath support, mood, light cleanse, and immunity building. I love it.
Milk Thistle is very well known for liver support and as a light cleanse. Taking care of your liver is very
important, nearly everything that goes into your body is processed in
some way through the liver. Chances are that if your brain, heart and
liver are doing well, you are in good health.
Orange Peel is an excellent source of Vitamin C immunities and adds a touch of citrus flavor.
Fennel,
although known to help with breast milk production, is good for
everyone as a light cleanse, a relaxant, stops gas, bloating, stomach
pain, kidney stones and canker sores.
Rooibus tea
is becoming increasingly known for it's cancer fighting abilities, full
of antioxidants, eases indigestion, adds minerals, helps with iron
absorption.
White Willow Bark is very well known as a pain reliever, most notably for joints and headache.
Cloves
are good for so much from that yummy warm, homey taste, teeth and gum
health, and is good for calming you down like a long, deep breath. Drink
clove tea before bed and you will sleep deep and dream wonderful dreams.
Passion Flower is one of the best
calmatives around. Aids a peaceful mind and positive out-look, can stop
that "racing heart" feeling in a stressful situation, it is even good
for hysteria. Can be used in a tea for adults and children.
Holy Basil is one a of the best adaptogen herbs. I take this either in a tea or capsule form everyday for my adrenal
health. Wonderful for mood, stress, regulates body temperature (if you
have a fever), improves over-all vitality and the ability to cope with
stressful situations with a cool head, helps with fevers, lowers blood
pressure, normalizes blood sugar and can help clear respiratory
illnesses from colds, flu, bronchitis to pleurisy.
Nettle is one of the best herbs
for respiratory issues, especially allergies. It is an
anti-inflammatory and opens up your sinuses so you can breath deeply and
clearly.
Peppermint/Spearmint are great for digestion and breath support. Take your pick as to which one you want to use for your personal tea blend, I switch back and forth. I do, however, think that spearmint is a little more flavorful.
Olive Leaf is one of the best immunity builders. Many people take olive leaf ~ either in liquid or softgel ~ during cold and flu season. Olive leaf is also lightly cleansing, is good for blood pressure and your whole circulatory system and is good for your skin.
Normally, I give you nearly exact
amounts of ingredients, but with this blend, use nearly equal measures
of each ingredient and just use a pinch to a handful ~ depending upon
whether you are making a cup, a mug or enough for a pot.
Some of my medicinal tea herbs
You will need:
~milk thistle
~dried orange peel
~fennel seeds
~rooibos
~white willow bark
~whole cloves
~passion flower
~holy basil
~nettle
~peppermint OR spearmint
~olive leaf (dried and crumbled)
Directions:
1) simply load your tea ball, infuser or make-it-yourself tea bag with the herbs
2) steep for 10 minutes for a cup or mug, or for 15 minutes for a pot
3) sip as often as you like, use local honey for extra immunity building and yummy taste, if desired.
Girlie Tea
This has become such an often requested blend by our youngest daughter, that I make up a good-sized batch and store it in a little canning jar. That way, all I need to do is take out about 1-1/2 ts per mug-sized serving, heat the water, steep and comfort is on the way.
Red Raspberry Leaf is one of the best known "women's herbs" around. Many women take it in preparation for childbirth, as it helps to lower the pains of labor and helps for a smoother delivery of the placenta. (Start drinking raspberry leaf tea about 3 weeks before you are due.) And since it works so well to calm labor pains, it also helps tremendously with menstrual cramps.
White Willow Bark is very well known as a general pain reliever; most notably for joints, headache and fevers.
Nettle is one of the best herbs
for respiratory issues, especially allergies. It is an
anti-inflammatory and opens up your sinuses so you can breath deeply and
clearly. And as an anti-inflammatory, it helps with minor swelling of the uterus and smooth blood flow.
Dandelion Root is a great gentle cleanse and detox. What many people don't know it that dandelion root is one the very BEST sources of non-constipating iron. Since there is blood loss during one's menses, women can lose quite a bit of iron. If you normally suffer from low iron, consider drinking a couple mugs of dandelion tea everyday.
St. John's Wort is one of the best known herbs
for depression and anxiety. But what you may not know is that it's also
good for stiff joints, shingles/chicken pox, sore muscles, menopause
symptoms, insomnia. **NOTE** This herb CAN interact with certain meds, reducing their effectiveness. Make sure you do your own homework, or just leave this one out.**
Passion Flower is one of the best
calmatives around. Aids a peaceful mind and positive out-look, can stop
that "racing heart" feeling in a stressful situation, it is even good
for hysteria.
Scullcap, to me, is right up there with passion flower; PLUS
it is an excellent nerve tonic. It helps with everything from panic
attacks to migraine headaches, depression, anxiety, stress, and is an
antispasmodic, which helps with menstrual cramps and muscle aches.
You Will Need:
Large 3-fingured pinches of:
~red raspberry leaf
~white willow bark
~nettle
~dandelion root
~St. John's wort
~passion flower
~scullcap
~whisk
~small mixing bowl
~small canning jar or other air-tight container
~tea ball/infuser
Directions:
1) in the mixing bowl, whisk together all of the herbs
2) store in canning jar/container
3) use approximately 1 ts per cup, 1-1/2 ts per mug
4) pour hot water over your tea ball/infuser, let steep for 10-15 minutes
PLEASE let me know how you have enjoyed any of these blends.
**If you would like to learn how to make your own tea bags, instead of using a tea ball or infuser, click HERE**
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
**See the obligatory disclaimer at the bottom of this page**
