Each day I like to enjoy some kind of TEA
It might be hot or cold and I like to try many recipes and blends either that I make myself or that I buy
MELLO MOOD TEA
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.
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
Relaxation Tea
1 tablespoon English Breakfast tea
1 teaspoon elder flower
2 teaspoons rose hips
1 teaspoon chamomile
2 teaspoons hops
1 teaspoon valerian
Calming Nerves and Sleepy Tea
Mix equal parts of:
Fresh skullcap
St John's wort
Calendula flowers
Chamomile flowers
California poppy or any poppy seeds
Wild oats
Valerian
Add Kava Kava root if desired. Try a bit of brown sugar to sweeten.
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.
Calming Tea
Ingredients:
1 part sage
1 part thyme
1 part marjoram
1 part camomile
Blend ingredients and place inside a tea ball, place in a mug of hot
water and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Or, for larger quantities you
can place the herbs inside a pot of water (make sure you don't overdo
the amount of herbs you use in proportion to the amount of water...)
and heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain to get rid of
the herb pieces. Drink up and enjoy the soothing effects!
Mellow Mood Tea
Adapted from The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions, by James A.
Duke, Ph.D..Copyright (c) 2001 by James A. Duke, Ph.D.. Reprinted by
permission of Rodale Press.
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.
Hope these 3 recipes I have sent help you out. Brightest Blessings.
*<)Irish(>*
Relaxing Herbal Tea
By Brenda Hyde
Herbal teas are not only relaxing and soothing
to the spirit, but your stomach as well! Many
herbs have properties to calm. Don't be so
quick though as to grab any herb from the
garden and make a tea. Do your research,
especially if you are nursing a baby or
pregnant. Some herbs such as sage,
pennyroyal, rue, feverfew, tansy, barberry,
nutmeg, juniper, and all the artemisias should
be avoided. Many of these are not common
enough for most of us to add to our tea, but it's
always better to be on the safe side! The tea
herbs we usually see used in tea recipes, as
the ones below, are safe for everyone.
Occasionally a person with allergies who is
very sensitive to plants in general may have a
problem, but otherwise herbs are delicious and
easy to use!
As you become familiar with tea herbs, don't be
afraid to experiment with combinations and with
the sweeteners. I mixed scented geranium
leaves and lemon balm one summer evening
for a delightful tea that I sweetened with honey.
Some people don't like the "light" or "flowery"
taste of herb tea. But you can have the best of
both tea worlds. Try mixing your favorite loose
or bagged black tea with the herbs for a
heartier tea. The following recipes will get you
started and help you become acquainted with
herbs in your afternoon or morning teas.
Lavender Herb Tea
Ingredients
1 tsp. dried lavender flowers
1 tsp. dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp. green tea leaves
4 cups boiling water
Place the herbs in a warmed teapot. Pour in
boiling water, cover, and steep for 3-5 minutes.
Strain and serve, sweeten with honey if
desired.
Anise Tea
Ingredients:
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. dried anise leaves
1 tsp. honey
Pour the boiling water over the leaves and
steep for about 5 minutes-a little longer if you
like it strong. Strain and sweeten with the
honey. This makes a nice licorice type
beverage.
Calming Herb Tea
1 tsp. dried peppermint leaves
1 tsp. dried lemon balm leaves
Add these to a tea pot and add 1 1/2 to 2 cups
of boiling water. Steep for about 5 minutes,
strain and add sugar or tea for a soothing
herbal tea.
Chamomile Herb Tea
2 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers
2 cups boiling water
2 thin slices of apple
honey to taste
Rinse the flowers with cool water. Warm your
tea pot with boiling water. Add the apple slices
to the pot and mash them with a wooden
spoon. Add the chamomile flowers and pour in
boiling water (2 cups). Cover and steep for 3-5
minutes. Strain the tea into two cups (or one if
it's just you!). Add honey to taste.
Mint and Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients:
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.
Ginger teas are especially soothing, and you
can use purchased tea, fresh or ground
ginger.
Fresh Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and
minced
4 cups water
honey to taste
Place the ginger in a ceramic teapot. Bring the
water to a boil and pour over the ginger. Allow
to steep for 5 minutes, and strain. If you are
making this one person, sweeten each cup with
honey to taste, and lemon if desired. I warm up
the remainder in the microwave if it cools too
quickly. This is especially nice for a nervous
stomach.
Spicy Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
4 ginger tea bags, any brand
2 3 inch pieces of cinnamon stick
8 whole cloves
6 cups boiling water
2 Orange slices
4 tsp. sweetener, honey or sugar
Place tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves,
ginger and sweetener into a large teapot. Pour
boiling water over and allow to steep 3
minutes. Remove tea bags and allow to sit 5
minutes. To serve, pour tea into cups and float
a quarter slice of orange in each cup.
Spicy Green Tea
Green tea is not only good for you, but if you
use soy milk (I like the vanilla soy) it gives it
that extra boost of goodness. Try this in the
morning!
Ingredients:
1 cup milk (soy milk will work well too)
1 cup water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 green tea bags
In medium saucepan, heat the water and milk
until they JUST begin to gently boil. Stir in the
remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to low and
simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove tea bags
and strain, then serve.
MAGICKAL TEA RECIPES
Flower Tea
4 teaspoons jasmine tea
2 rose geranium leaves
1 teaspoon dried orange blossoms
Lemon Tea
3 teaspoons orange-pekoe tea
1 teaspoon dried lemon verbena
1/2 teaspoon minced dry lemon peel
2 sprigs lemon thyme
Lavender Tea
4 teaspoons orange pekoe tea
3 fresh lavender flower heads (or 1/3 teaspoon dried lavender flowers)
Lavender honey to sweeten
Rose Tea
4 teaspoons orange pekoe tea
1 tablespoon fresh rose petals (or 1 teaspoon dried rose petals)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon stick chips
Divination Tea
1 tablespoon China black, English breakfast, or Irish Breakfast Tea
2 teaspoons lemon balm
1 teaspoon eyebright
1 tablespoon mugwort
1 tablespoon rose hips
Psychic Healing Tea
1 tablespoon China black tea
1 teaspoon elder flowers
1 teaspoon nettle
2 teaspoons burdock root
2 teaspoons mullein
2 teaspoons rose hips
Love Spells Tea
1 tablespoon china black tea
1 teaspoon damiana
1 teaspoon raspberry leaves
2 teaspoons chamomile
1 tablespoon mullein
2 teaspoons rose hips
Meditation tea
1 tablespoon china black tea
2 teaspoons chamomile
1 teaspoon rose hips
2 teaspoons elder flower
Purification Tea
1 tablespoon China black tea
2 teaspoons fennel
1 teaspoon valerian
1 teaspoon chamomile
2 teaspoons hyssop
Relaxation Tea
1 tablespoon English Breakfast tea
1 teaspoon elder flower
2 teaspoons rose hips
1 teaspoon chamomile
2 teaspoons hops
1 teaspoon valerian
Health Spells Tea
1 tablespoon China black tea
2 teaspoons fennel
1 teaspoon mint
2 teaspoons rose hips
1 teaspoon elder flower
2 teaspoons hops
1 teaspoon mullein
1 teaspoon White Oak
Protection Tea (7 Herbal Powers)
1 tablespoon Irish or English Breakfast tea
2 teaspoons elder flower
1 teaspoon linden flower (tila)
1 teaspoon valerian
2 teaspoons burdock root
1 teaspoon comfrey
1 teaspoon hyssop
2 teaspoons rose hips
Relaxation/Sleep Tea
1/4 teaspoon lavender flowers
1/2 teaspoon lemon balm
1/2 teaspoon linden flowers
1/2 teaspoon chamomile
OR
1/2 teaspoon valerian root
1/2 teaspoon passion flower
1/2 teaspoon chamomile
1/2 teaspoon vervain
Pick-me-up Tea
1/2 teaspoon rose hips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint
1/2 teaspoon hibiscus
For a Cold Tea
1 teaspoon wintergreen
1 teaspoon lemon verbena
OR
1 teaspoon yarrow
1 teaspoon valerian
1 teaspoon birch leaf
Moon Maiden Tea
1 tablespoon ginger root
1 tablespoon black haw
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon bark
1 tablespoon valerian root
Moon Maiden Tea is used against menstrual cramps and employs the mystical,
wild, enchanted energy of night. Place black haw, ginger root, and cinnamon
in a crystal bowl. Cover with fresh, cold water, and set outside under the
Moonlight. Let stand overnight. In the morning, move the container to a
warm, shady spot. Add valerian root and infuse for 30 minutes. Strain and
drink a little every 15 minutes.
Mother Sun Power Tea
3 tablespoons sassafras bark
2 tablespoons dandelion root
1 tablespoon ginger root
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon licorice root
1/4 teaspoon orange peel
1 tablespoon pau d'arco
1/4 tablespoon dong quai root
1 tablespoon chaste berry
1 tablespoon wild yam
Mother Sun Tea attracts the dynamic, vital energy embodied in the Sun. Mix
herbs together. Place 4 to 6 tablespoons of herbal mixture in a glass jar
filled with one quart cold water. Cover with a tight fitting lid, and set
the jar out doors in a strong, hot, direct Sunlight for several hours.
Strain. Drink 3 cups daily.
Crone Root Tea
2 tablespoons wild yam
2 tablespoons licorice
3 tablespoons sarsparilla
1 tablespoon chaste berry
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon false unicorn root
2 tablespoons sage
1/2 tablespoon black cohosh
This tea is believed to help with the challenges of menopause. Empower with
the Sun and Moon methods described before. Or, place 6 tablespoons of herbal
mixture into 1 quart of cold water and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink
2 cups daily.
Fresh Mint Tea
2 quarts water (8 cups)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup half & half
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 bunch fresh mint
Bring water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add milk, half- &-half, and
sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add mint and simmer an additional 30 minutes.
Strain and serve hot or chill on a bowl of ice and serve cold.
Yields: 2 quarts
Calming Nerves and Sleepy Tea
Mix equal parts of:
Fresh skullcap
St John's wort
Calendula flowers
Chamomile flowers
California poppy or any poppy seeds
Wild oats
Valerian
Add Kava Kava root if desired. Try a bit of brown sugar to sweeten.
Herbal Tea for Insomnia
Mix equal parts of:
Valerian root
Skullcap
California Poppy (or any poppy) seed
Kava Kava root
Passion flower
Chamomile flowers
Mugwort
Mabon Moon Cider
4 cups apple cider
4 cups grape juice (try white grape juice)
2 cinnamon sticks, 4 inches long
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
Additional cinnamon sticks for cups, 6 inches long
In a 4-quart saucepan, heat cider and grape juice. Add cinnamon, allspice,
and cloves. Bring just to boiling. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve. Makes 8 cups.
Faery Milk
1 & 1/2 cups milk per serving
1/8 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 tsp. Honey
Cinnamon
Warm milk, being careful not to boil. To each glass or mug, add honey and
vanilla. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon.
Mike Kadeg's Wake Up Tea
1 tea bag red tea
1 tea bag green tea
4 tea bags black tea - Lipton is good for this tea
1 drop burnt licorice extract (WARNING: DO NOT TAKE THIS TEA IF YOU ARE
PREGNANT OR HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!!!)
Place bags into water. Add 1 drop extract and let steep for at least 12
hours. Refrigerate. This mix is bitter, but it sure wakes you up quickly.
You can get all the ingredients at your local Acme or other supermarket.
Chai Tea
1 quart milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cardamon
1 teaspoon ground almonds
10 teaspoons brown sugar or honey
8 teaspoons black tea
Combine cinnamon, cardamon, and almonds with milk in saucepan. Simmer for
1/2 hour, stirring occasionally. Just before removing from the stove, add
brown sugar or honey.
Boil a quart of water, and pour into a teapot with 8 teaspoons good black
tea (try Assam). Steep for five minutes. Add prepared hot milk mixture to
tea in a ratio of 1:1. Aerate by pouring mixture back and forth between 2
containers 5 or 6 times. Strain and serve.
The prepared milk can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator and
reheated for use.
Raspberry Mint Tea (from Dawna's Herb Page)
2 parts chamomile
1 & 1/2 part spearmint
4 raspberry leaves
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Soothes the tummy. A mild, relaxing tea with a delicate flavor, it contains oils that relax the smooth muscles in the stomach. Three cups daily will ease indigestion, irritable bowel problems and colitis. Choose 100% pure chamomile flowers with a strong fresh aroma. Use 1 heaping tablespoon of flowers per cup of hot water. Let steep for 10 to 20 minutes, strain. Take for two months for chronic problems.
***Note: A cup before bedtime helps one relax to get to sleep easier. I've also used this in a weaker solution of 1/4 teaspoon to 4 oz of hot water and then cooled, for my babies for colic. Though as my disclaimer says, you might wish to check with your health care professional. Now days, it's a wonder our Children survived with all we did to them and gave them according to these modern day "warnings".
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Reduces anxiety and restlessness. This citrus-fresh herb helps tame tension, nervousness and a mild case of the blues. Relax with a cup before bedtime to help you feel sleepy. Choose fresh or dried leaves that have a strong lemony mint scent. Use two tablespoons of fresh leaves and one tablespoon of dried leaves per cup of hot water, steep and strain. Drink as needed.
***I once read in an old herbal that one cup of lemon balm tea every day as a tonic would help us live longer.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Eases you into restful sleep. The flower, vine and leaves contain substances that have proven, gentle sedating qualities. Recommended by herbalists as a top treatment for insomnia, it's especially helpful when sleep is disturbed by anxiety. Use 1 heaping teaspoon of dried herb per cup of hot water, steep and strain.
***All of the above teas, when taken for easier sleeping, should be taken about 1/2 hour before bedtime.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Helps banish indigestion and gas and helps quell nausea and vomiting. Make sure it's peppermint that you use. Spearmint and the like don't contain the digestive aid menthol. Use two tablespoons of fresh peppermint or one tablespoon of dried to one cup of hot water, steep and strain.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Can ward off headaches. This fragrant spice shelf herb is not only good for cooking. It has many uses, one of which is warding off tension induced headaches. Rosemary helps keep blood vessels dilated so can prevent headaches caused by vaso-constriction (blood vessels narrowing) Use two heaping teaspoons fresh or one heaping dried per cup of hot water, steep and strain.
Sage (salvia officinalis)
This cooking shelf herb also can eliminate night sweats, which will help you relax and get a good night's sleep. Use 4 heaping tablespoons of dried sage in 1 cup of hot water, cover tightly and steep for 4 hours, strain and drink.
Thyme (thymus vulgaris)
Reduces cough, bronchitis, sinus pressure. This herb helps relax the bronchial spasms that trigger coughing. Use 2 teaspoons of dried thyme per cup of hot water, steep and strain. Drink three times a day.
***When my daughter had asthma attacks, I would make a tea of this herb, oregano and parsley when she felt that "tightness" in her chest. She said she could feel it loosening that tight feeling in her lungs with the second sip.
I thought these might be helpful this time of year. LW
-------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
If you are on any pharmaceutical medications or have a serious medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, consult your health care provider before ingesting anything that you do not normally ingest, including herbs and over the counter medications.
Dosages given are for *adults*. Unless specific dosage is labeled "for Children", *do not give to Children*.
When you choose to self medicate, *you* are responsible for what you put in your body. If you show any symptom after ingesting an herb or any other substance that you do not normally ingest, stop taking the herb, etc., immediately. The symptom may or may not have something to do with the herb, etc., but you can always try again later, after the symptom has disappeared, to test if it was the herb, etc.
You can buy bulk herbs for your tea from
Glenbrook Farms
Many recipes I found for herbal teas came from Brenda Hyde
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living
in the Midwest United States. She is also editor
of OldFashionedLiving.com.
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