Herbal Tea Blends

Herbal Tea Recipe

2012-01-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

by Evelyn Gaspar

Once you've harvesting your herbs for tea, here's how to blend and brew up a healthy pot of tea.

Blending and Brewing

In "merry olde England," a tea with one ingredient was called a simple. By all means, start by sampling some simples and get familiar with the various teas. That way, you'll know if you're one of a very small percentage of people that may experience a reaction to one of these ingredients.
Once you discover the art of blending, however, you'll probably prefer the made-to-order tastes and subtle accents you can create. But just as mixing contrasting colors can make a muddy mess, mixing unrelated flavors can be unsatisfying. The trick is to choose one flavor or family of flavors to carry your message. Then, for accent, add small amounts of other herbs or bits of dried fruit or citrus peel, toasted almonds or walnuts, or whole spices. Use about three parts of your dominant ingredient(s) to one part of accent items. Crumble the leaves if necessary to mix evenly, but not enough to go through your strainer or tea ball.

Recipes

The recipes given here call for dried ingredients and yield six cups of tea. Use one tablespoon of dried herbs per cup, plus one for the pot. For fresh leaves or flowers, triple the amounts (seed measurements don't change). Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover and let steep for one to three minutes. Herb teas are naturally pale. Sweetening with honey darkens them and adds body. Lemon juice bleaches the color; try rose hips instead. Peppermint, betony and sunflower teas can take a little milk.

Mint Mania
3 tablespoons peppermint leaves
1 tablespoon catnip leaves
1 tablespoon rose petals
1 tablespoon lemon verbena leaves

Orchard

3 tablespoons chamomile flowers
2 tablespoons lemon verbena leaves
1 tablespoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon crushed coriander seed
1 teaspoon snipped dried apricot

Bistro

4 tablespoons toasted sunflower hulls
4 teaspoons fennel seed
4 teaspoons orange rind (colored part only)

Maytime

3 tablespoons chamomile flowers
1 tablespoon bee balm leaves
2 teaspoons rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons crushed coriander seed
2 teaspoons peppermint leaves

http://www.garden.org

August and Soothing Calendula

2011-08-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year once again, the sun is shining bright with all of it's summer intensity, bringing to life our glourious golden friend Calendula.

Calendula is not only a bright addition to your summer flower garden, but also a great asset to your home health-care kit. Calendula is a soothing herb, which can easily be salved for topical bruises and abrasions, tinctured to be taken internally for ulcers, and drunk as tea for stomach ulcers or as a simple pleasure tea.

Calendula loves to show-off it's beauty, and will continue to produce for you all season; The more you trim back the flower tops the more it will flower.

The flower tops are very easily dried; Simply clip the entire flower head and place in a newspaper lined basket or cardboard box in a warm room away from sunlight. Calendula dries very fast, and will be ready for you to enjoy in just a few days.

Herbal Sun Tea Recipes and Instructions

2011-06-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Now that high summer has arrived, it's time to brew up some refreshing herbal sun tea. Let nature do all the work and harvest a refreshing and healthy glass of tea for your late afternoon or evening meal. Here's how:

How to Brew Herbal Sun Tea

Grab your favorite large glass jug. It should have a tight fitting lid (non-metallic preferred). Harvest and rinse your favorite fresh herbs. You should have about a third to a half cup of herbs for each eight ounces of water.
Place the herbs in the jar and then add water. I usually use three cups of herbs to seven cups of water or thereabouts. Seal the jar and shake it until you get a little foam.
Place the jar in a sunny spot for about six to eight hours. Shake it two or three times throughout the day.
If you like your tea with a rich, deep color, add a teabag (your favorite basic brew) during the last fifteen minutes or so.
Strain the liquid and add and sweetener to taste. It's summer in a glass.
Strain the liquid and add and sweetener to taste. It's summer in a glass.

Some tasty herb blends to choose from:

Peppermint and pineapple sage
Lavender, sage and rosemary
Thyme, apple mint and hyssop
Catnip and lemon balm
Lemon balm, ginger (quarter sized root, minced), lavender
Spearmint, basil and lemon eucalyptus (or lemon verbena)
Fenugreek seed and camomile
Lemon balm and lavender

Special Notes: You can easily refine your herbal tea to make it weaker or stronger; add honey, stevia, brown sugar, cream, lemon, lime or anything else that livens up your taste buds. Keep working the recipe till you find one that makes you long for sunset.
http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com

Allergy Season Tea Recipe

2011-05-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 part nettle
1 part peppermint
1 part spearmint
1 part yerba santa
1 part eyebright
1 part lemongrass leaves
1 part calendula
1 part red clover
1 part lavender flowers
1 part fennel seeds
a pinch of stevia

Instructions:

Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most favorite cup or mug
Cover with boiling water
Steep for 10 minutes

http://www.theherbanalchemist.com/

Ultimate Cleanse Detox Tea - 5 ounce Loose Leaf Tea, Now Available

2011-02-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

Cherri's "Ultimate Cleanse" Detox tea was created to help you achieve that full body clean-up and once we over we all need from time-to-time. It has been declared that this powerful formula has reduced the incidence and even eliminated all sorts of skin ailments, such as; Psoriasis, acne, rashes, and eczema.

The brew offers antiviral properties and immune support. It can also be a valuable aid for clearing up infections of all sorts, including the respiratory and urinary tracts as it also rids the entire system of parasites. It also a valuable aid to fight candida, liver ailments, and IBS. There is also reason to believe that those who suffer from depression, PMS, or chronic fatigue can benefit from this tea as well.

INGREDIENTS: Peppermint, Nettle, Lemon Balm, Pau D'Arco, Oregon Grape Root, Licorice, and Milk Thistle

Caution: It is not recommended to use this tea during pregnancy.

NOTE: Watch for Cherri's complete detox program, which is anticipated to be available in 2011. The detoxification program was created for those individuals new to the practice of total wellness by means of whole food consumption. The program is a realistic easy to follow step-by-step layout of how a basic detoxification fast is performed, along with easy sensible guidelines to assist you in continuing to maintain your health through diet, and grow your own vitamin and mineral packed fresh, organic foods.

3 ounce $5.50
5 ounce $7.50

FREE Organic Aloe Vera Healing Plant

2011-01-15T10:46:00.001-08:00

In an effort to raise awareness about how valuable folk medicine truly is Spirit Herbs is giving away one of our own Aloe Vera "Mother" plants. No, not a pup; This is one of our own thick, healthy, reproducing mother plants.

The contest is easy. Simply write an essay (500) words or less telling about your favorite herb, blend, tincture, or salve. Tell us how it is made, how it works and why it is so beneficial.
Submit your essay using the "contact us" link. Be sure to include your full name, contact info, and city where you reside.
All essay's will be posted on the Spirit Herbs blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Tell everyone you know to like, tweet, and comment about your essay. The entry which receives the most tweets, likes, etc...wins!

The contest starts today 01/15/2011 and ends midnight February 28, 2011. The winner will be announced within 10 days of contest close. The winner receives one healthy organic Aloe Vera Plant.

Good Luck!
Cherri

Silica Plus Vitamin & Mineral Tea is Now Available

2011-01-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

Silica Plus Tea

"Silica Plus" Vitamin and Mineral Herbal Tea Blend is loaded with Phytochemicals, Amino Acids, EFA's, Vitamins, and Minerals.

Silica Plus is our own unique tonic which alkalizes, detoxifies the body, and aids with calcium absorption. This blend is rich in balanced minerals for easier and contains all known vitamins.

Great tasting anytime "Silica Plus" provides beta-carotene, chlorophyll. Amino acids, EFA's. and a long list of nutrients; to include calcium, choline, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sulfur, zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, D, E, and K.

INGREDIENTS: Nettle, Oatstraw, Alfalfa, Horsetail, Lemon Verbena, Fennel, and Love.
2 ounce loose leaf $4.50

NOTE: Herbal Tea Blends provides you with a convenient integrated shopping cart, so that you can continue shopping on all of our sites with one convenient check-out.

Ring in the New Year with a Healthy Clean Body!

2011-01-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

I’ve exhausted a great deal of 2010 on the creation of a concise, easy to follow detox plan. I’ve had such high hopes for it’s completion by now, but alas it has proven to be a grander undertaking than I originally anticipated.

The most common question I am asked when we are selling our herbs at the local market is, “What do I do for…?” A loaded question, to say the least. Bluntly, all chronic disease in the US is a product of poor dietary practice.

At times simply stating this fact is more information than Americans can process, and I am typically politely informed that the very idea is ludicrous. This affirmation is usually followed with, “Just tell me what I can take for it.” Unfortunately mass media has lead most us to believe that mothers little helper is all we need, (But that is topic for another rant) and all the unpleasant little aches and pains go away forever.

I am approached at times by folks who are clearly at the end of their rope. I am always truthful, admitting, “I am no expert”. I am merely a self-taught, amateur, natural wellness enthusiast. This can at times, sadly discredit anything I may have to recommend, as yet again we are conditioned to believe that the only real medicine is allopathic. Truth is, it was the allopath who practiced blood letting along with many other ghastly medical treatments, (Again, subject for another of my rants).

Natural wellness practices, however are experiencing a rebirth, as more and more Americans are contracting crippling disease such as; High blood pressure, sugar diabetes, liver problems, and many other preventable ailments at an frightening rate.

Detoxification is only the first, but the most important step toward over-all health. Having contracted Valley Fever as a young adult and suffering all the ill afflictions brought-on by blackened lungs I can truly attest to this statement as absolute truth. Becoming a whole-foods vegetarian has changed my life. Good dietary practice along with proper supplementation, adequate exercise, and lowering overall stress can change yours as well.

I don’t foresee achieving the completion of my detox program in the near future, but I am determined to add healthy tidbits to the blogs as time permits in 2011. I am also working on several new teas and drink mixes, which will be available soon.

I have been asked for information on cancer treatment more and more, so I will be making the true Essiac formula available immediately. I will also be adding a ‘Green Drink’, Candida fighting drink, as well as a post detox tea very soon.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy New Year,
Cherri

Easy Eggnog

2010-12-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

Yea, Yea, I know it's not tea and I would love to find a recipe for one that rivals good old fashioned eggnog. This is, however a great easy recipe. If you have a fun holiday tea to make, please forward it to us and we will gladly post it here.

Ingredients:

•6 eggs

•3 cups milk

•8 tablespoons sugar

•3 teaspoon real vanilla extract

•1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

•1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

Method:

Beat the eggs in a large bowl, adding milk and sugar slowly while you beat.
Continue beating until mixture thickens slightly.
Add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir well.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge until chilled.

Yield: This recipe makes eight servings of eggnog

Ginger Peppermint Tea Recipe

2010-12-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Ginger Peppermint Tea is the ultimate herbal tea for digestive ailments. Both Peppermint and Ginger are known for their soothing properties when it comes to upset stomachs.

Ginger as a herbal has the ability to warm the body through its thermogenic properties so it is great for someone with the chills or a flu.

These two herbs together in a tea offer the ultimate in a body warming, stomach calming tonic.

Ginger is also known for its anti inflammatory properties and has been proven in studies to provide relief from migraine headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.

Peppermint is known to calm the muscles of the stomach. It has also been proven to treat bad breath, which is why we see gum and toothpaste flavored with peppermint.

Many books and research list ginger and peppermint as a diaphoretic tea, useful as a herbal recommendation for the comon cold.

A Diaphoretic Tea is one that promotes perspiration via warming from the inside out.

Recipe

Ingredients for each 8fl oz of Peppermint Ginger Tea:

•1 1/2 inches of fresh ginger root, sliced

•2 tbsp fresh peppermint leaves

Directions:

Boil cold, fresh water.
Place Ginger Root and Peppermint leaves in the water once it has reached a boil.
Remove from heat.
Let the tea steep for 3 - 4 minutes
Strain.

http://www.crazyfortea.com

Holiday Gifts: Making Herbal Teas and Blends

2010-12-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

This holiday season make personal winter cordials for warming the soul, opening the heart, and healing the body. Blending herbs and infusing them in brandy or vodka or drinking hot tea blended herbs is an ancient tradition that is beneficial and easy to enjoy. Way of Life offers a wonderful choice of both western and eastern herbs.

Many times people report that the herbs they chose or were chosen for them, didn’t work. After a few experiences, many people just come to the conclusion that ‘herbs don’t work for me’. According to the energetic system of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine it is of the most importance to match the energy of the person with the energy of the herbs.

This is not as straightforward as it may seem as energies can change as herbs are synergistically blended together, or the energy of the person may change according to what is happening with them. For example: Are you, at the present time, running cold, hot or somewhere in between?

Read the entire article:
http://wayoflife.net/articles/?p=220

Holiday Cranberry Tea Recipe

2010-11-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

* 3 cups of cranberry juice

* 5 black tea bags or

* 5 teaspoons of loose black tea

* 10 cups of water

* 5 cinnamon sticks

* sugar - optional

* lemon wedges for garnish

Procedure:

Bring the water to a boil in a large non-aluminium pot.
Steep the teabags or loose tea for 4 minutes (or longer if you want a stronger tea). Add the cranberry juice and a little sugar or honey to sweeten if you like.
Stir well.
Add the cinnamon sticks and let them steep for 6 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon sticks.

You can now gently (do not boil the cranberry tea) re-heat and serve. Place a lemon wedge in each tea cup and pour the hot tea over.

Your guests will be very impressed with this festive hot cranberry tea
http://www.crazyfortea.com

Holiday Mulled Cider Recipe

2010-11-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 qts. apple cider
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 orange (unpeeled)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
brandy

Preparation:

Combine cider, sugar, ginger and orange in slow cooker. Tie cinnamon and cloves in a small cheesecloth bag; add to crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 2 to 4 hours. The entire house will smell great! Remove the bag of spices. In a mug put a shot of brandy, then fill with hot mix from cooker.
Makes 10 to 12 servings

http://southernfood.about.com/

Vanilla Chai Recipe

2010-11-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

Vanilla might not be part of a traditional version of chai, but its not an addition you want to miss. It helps to mellow out the spiciness of the tea.

Ingredients:

4 cups water
3 allspice, whole
5 cloves, whole
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean (1-inch)
1/3 cup honey
1 tbs loose black tea leaves

Preparation:

In a saucepan, heat water along with all the spices. Bring to a lower simmer, and let steep for about 5 minutes. Add tea leaves, and continue to steep for another 5 minutes. Strain out the tea, and stir in honey. Serve hot.

Asthma & Dry Cough Tea Now Available

2010-10-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Pleasant mild licorice taste; Our Asthma & Dry Cough Tea clears mucous and excess fluid from the air passages as it soothes and heals the mucous membranes. Asthma Dry Cough Tea clears the lungs as it works to expel excess fluid and mucous.

Asthma & Dry Cough Tea eases and calms dry coughs brought on by the occassional asthma attack, croup, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. Asthma Dry Cough Tea is safe for children too!

Asthma Dry Cough Tea Clears the lungs, combats all types of respiratory infection including sinusitis. It is also good for sore throat, eliminates headache, reduces fever, and is a good antiseptic. Asthma Dry Cough Tea is a must-have for your home cold and flu season medicine chest.

INSTRUCTIONS: Steep 1-2 tsp in a cup of boiling water for 5-25 minutes.

PLEASE NOTE: Based on different body constitutions and severity of cough, it may require drinking a few cups in orderto achieve relief.

INGREDIENTS: Fennel, Anise, Marshmallow, Thyme.
3 ounce Loose Leaf $5.50

Cold and Flu Season is Officially Here...But! There is Relief

2010-09-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Flu Blues Relief Tea
A spicy combination of Ginger Root, Rosemary, Orange Peel, Clove, and Star Anise.

This tea was created for those suffering from flu symptoms. The blend is a very effective expectorant, antihistamine, decongestant, and works well to ease nausea.

INSTRUCTIONS: Place tea ball or tea bag loaded with appx 1 Tablespoon of tea in your cup and cover with boiling water. Cover cup with saucer or towel for 5-15 minutes.
3 ounce loose leaf $4.50

Hot Tea With Cloves

2010-08-02T05:16:00.000-07:00

2 cups water
2 tsp tea leaves
1 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
sugar to serve

Pour the water into a pan, add tea leaves cloves and bring to a boil. Let brew for 4-5 minutes. Then strain into cups and serve, sweetened with sugar.

Serves 2
http://www.indianfoodsite.com

Exotic Spice Tea

2010-07-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

4 rose blossoms (spicy, fragrance)
1 tsp. hibiscus flowers (sour, pink color)
1 tsp. orange rind (sweet, spicy)
3 slices fresh ginger (spicy, warming, headache calmer)
1 tsp. clover (sweet, cool)
1 clove (spicy, warming)
2 leaves fresh scented leaf geranium (spicy, balancing)
1 tsp. lemon balm (green, relaxing)

Steep for 5-10 minutes and enjoy with a teaspoon of honey.
Makes one pot
http://www.gardenerspath.com/articles/herbalist/tea.html

Relaxing Herbal Tea

2010-06-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

1 teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves
1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves
2 cups boiling water

Preparation:
Steep the lemon balm and peppermint in the boiling water for approximately five minutes and strain. Add natural lemon, honey or other sweetener to add more zest and sweetness.

Fresh Chamomile Sun Tea

2010-06-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

¼ cup freshly trimmed chamomile flowers, rinsed in cold water
4 cups water

Place the flowers in a clean glass jar or container, and pour in the water. Seal the jar. If you are using a glass bowl or pitcher, cover with a plate or with cheesecloth held in place by a rubber band. Set the jar outside in the sun, and leave to steep for 8-12 hours. Strain out the flowers before serving.

Minty Nettle Tea is Here

2010-06-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Herbal Tea Blends
Newest Addition
Minty Nettle Tea
Herbal Detox

Pleasant mild mint flavor similar to teas used in Mexico for a cleansing herbal detox. Herbal Tea Blends own unique combination of Nettle Leaf, Spearmint, and Peppermint leaves.
Now Available
1 ounce loose leaf tea
$3.50

New Crop of Tea Herbs Are In

2010-06-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Harvest time is upon us, and in between all of our other summer chores we have devoted much time to selecting the finest Tea Herbs the Arizona Desert has to offer. I will do my best to keep you updated.

New Crops Currently Available:

Catclaw Acacia
Mormon Tea
Chaparral

All wildharvested herbs are available for bulk purchases and wholesale pricing is available on request.

Cherri

Brewing Herbal Teas

2010-05-15T10:35:00.001-07:00

Pour boiling water over tea herbs: Use 1 cup of boiling water to 1 teaspoon dry or 1 tablespoon fresh herbs per cup. If making in a pot, add an extra teaspoon or tablespoon (if using fresh) – this is called “one for the pot”. Cover to prevent aromatic steam from escaping. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. Don’t steep longer because the tea will have a bitter flavor. If you want a stronger flavor, add more herbs.

Good Herb Combinations:

• Ginger, lemon, honey, cayenne pepper. Good for upper respiratory ailments
• Thyme and sage, with a bit of ginger – great for sore throats.
• Lavender, Chamomile, Bee Balm (also known as Monarda, Oswego tea, and Bergamot tea) and Rose Hips: Relaxing and soothing – the rose hips contain vitamin C and A and help reduce coughs. Bee Balm has a minty flavor and helps reduce nausea.
• Spearmint, lemon balm, hibiscus flowers, lemon peel, rose petals and cinnamon sticks. Makes a wonderful iced afternoon tea, perfect for a pick-me-up.
http://www.inherbs.com/

Rosemary Punch

2010-05-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

You might not have thought to brew a tea punch with rosemary, but the flavour of steeped rosemary compliments the pineapple juice. Add some sparkle with the ginger ale, and you have a punch fit for a party.

Ingredients:

2 handfuls of dried rosemary
2 cups water
1 liter ginger ale
12 oz frozen pineapple juice

Preparation:

Heat water and rosemary until boiling, then simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool then strain out the rosemary. Combine with the pineapple juice. Add ginger ale right before serving.
http://coffeetea.about.com

Peach Iced Tea Recipe

2010-05-15T10:26:00.001-07:00

4 cups cold fresh water
4 tea bags or 4 tsp loose tea leaves
1 can peaches in light syrup
1 lemon sliced
dash of cinnamon or cinnamon sticks - optional

Bring water to a boil in a kettle or pot, not aluminum. Steep your tea as you would normally do. You can either use just the peach syrup or for more flavor use the fruit as well. Place the peaches and syrup in a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes. Once tea is steeped, add peach puree and lemon juice. Place the peach tea in a large pitcher and chill.

When ready to serve, the pulp from the fruit will have settled to the bottom of the picture, do not re stir unless you want the fruit in the tea.

Poor over ice cubes in a tall glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cinnamon stick if you like. Peppermint leaves also make a nice garnish!

To serve hot, just reheat the tea without boiling, and serve immediately.

A very nice, refreshing tea, whether you drink it hot or cold.

Note: Typically you would use black tea for this drink, but you could just as easily make Green Tea Peach Tea or White Tea Peach Tea, or any other type simply by changing the type of tea used.
http://www.crazyfortea.com

How to Brew Herbal Sun Tea

2010-04-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Cool down with delicious, thirst-quenching herbal sun tea. Follow a few simple steps to enjoy a variety of refreshing flavors that are perfect for front porch sipping. Solar tea has never tasted so good.

Fresh organic herbs produce healthier, more refreshing teas, so pick your ingredients straight from the garden or buy from a local grower. All you need to make solar tea is a quart canning jar (good for preserving the herbs' fragrant oils and properties), water, coarsely cut herbs of choice and sunshine.

To start, toss a half cup to 1 cup of fresh herbs into the canning jar. With practice, adjust this amount to suit your taste and the plants' nature. Add water, a lid and a few shakes. Place the jar where it will receive full sunlight, such as on a rooftop, open field or driveway. If possible, give the mixture a couple more shakes throughout the day. You will learn how long to brew certain teas for the desired taste.

As the sun goes down, the tea should appear rich and translucent in color. While still warm, shake the mixture, strain the contents and use the plant material for mulch. Pour fresh tea on ice and enjoy.

These two-ingredient blends from The Herbal Tea Garden: Planning, Planting, Harvesting & Brewing by Marietta Marshall Marcin are good for beginners.

Alfalfa leaf with lemon verbena or red clover blossoms
Chamomile with hibiscus flowers
Elderflowers with peppermint or yarrow
Fenugreek with alfalfa or mint
Hibiscus flowers with rose hips
Marigold petals with mint
Mullein with sage, chamomile or marjoram
Pennyroyal with any of the other mints
Peppermint with spearmintRosemary with hibiscus flowers
Sage with lemon verbena
Strawberry leaves with woodruff
Yarrow with peppermint

To explore more garden flavors, try these creative summer medleys from the e-handbook 15 Herbs for Tea.

July Evening Tea

1 large fresh monarda flower
A dozen fresh lavender flower heads
Compatible additions include lemon balm leaves, lemon verbena leaves and chamomile flowers.

Lemon Blend Tea

Mix equal parts fresh lemon balm leaves and fresh lemon verbena leaves.
Add grated lemon peel (about 1 tablespoon per cup of lemon herbs).Optional lemon herbs may be added, such as lemon-scented geranium leaves and lemon thyme.
Add some calendula petals for color.

Orange Mint Tea

Use a citrus-flavored mint, such as orange bergamot, or any mint herb.
Add grated lemon and orange rind, cloves, cinnamon, and calendula petals or ?Lemon Gem' marigold leaves.

For more brewing information see the e-handbook Herbal Teas for Lifelong Health. Are you an herbal sun tea brewer? Post your suggestions below and share your favorite summertime recipes.
Mother Earth News
July/August 2007

Orange Cinnamon Tea Blend

2010-04-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

1/4 pound Ceylon tea
4 tablespoons diced dried orange rind
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Put in your tin or jar and label with instructions if giving as a gift.

Use 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water and steep 4 to 5 minutes. Garnish with orange peel. Delightfully fresh and spicey tea.
http://doit101.com/

English Rose Tea

2010-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup dried Red Rose petals
2 tablespoons dried Lemon Balm
1 tablespoon dried Rosemary

Mix well. Use 1 teaspoon for each cup.
http://pages.prodigy.net/groovyskye/10.html

Agua de Jamaica

2010-04-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Agua de Jamaica is a delicious herbal tea from Mexico. It has a strongly refreshing, sweet taste, and is a beautiful ruby red color. It is offered by some Mexican restaurants as a refreshing alternative to iced tea. Hibiscus flowers are called jamaica in Spanish. (Pronouced ha-MIKE-ah -- not like the Caribbean island)

2 cups dried Jamaica flowers (or two ounces)
6 cups water
3/4 cup sugar

Rinse and drain the dried jamaica flowers in a large colander. Bring the water to a vigorous boil. Stir in the jamaica flowers. Stir continuously for one minute while the mixture boils.

Remove from heat, and let steep for two hours.

Strain the mixture, pressing the leaves so all the juice squeezes out. Discard the flowers. Taste. If it is too tart for your taste, add more water and/or sugar to correct for tartness and sweetness. This drink is served cold, so cover and refrigerate before serving.

Note: Wet hibiscus leaves are very strong in color and flavor. Be careful to steep your tea in a bowl that will not stain.

Serve agua de jamaica as a substitute for regular iced tea. Hibiscus flowers are rich in Vitamin C. Dried hibiscus flowers may be tough to find, but they are more and more available in bulk at health food stores. Look for them near bulk coffee and teas.

In America, this drink is very similar to Red Zinger herbal tea, but do try using the real hibiscus leaves. The difference in taste is significant.
Jamaica are dried hibiscus flowers H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa and are also called roselle or Jamaican sorrel.
http://www.texascooking.com

It's Harvest Time!

2010-04-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

That's right Painted Desert Mormon Tea is now available!

All of our tea is harvested right here in the heart of Orion's Zone, so the energy is very powerful and our product is of the finest quality. All of our tea is harvested on or around the farm. Never cultivated, yet cared for like a newborn baby. Our herb is harvested in the back country, away from roads, trails, or other potential contaminant sources. No ugly yellow or brown discoloration exists on our Mormon tea. You will see and taste the difference. Available in traditional dried and cut or freshly harvested.

Organic Freedom Farm's Fresh harvest is sent to you in its natural state; Not dried, cut, or processed in any way. Organic Freedom Farm's freshly harvested Mormon tea is still the exceptional quality you have come to expect from us, yet ready for you to dry, tincture, or powder however you choose.

Painted Desert Mormon Tea
4 ounce cut - $9.95

Painted Desert Mormon Tea
1 pound fresh harvest - $28.00

Please scroll to the bottom of any page to order securly with Google Checkout

Lina's Wild Mint Tea Mix

2010-04-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

1 cup lemon balm leaves
1 cup spearmint leaves
4 tablespoons orange peel -- grated
1/2 tablespoon cloves

Mix the herbs.

Instructions:
For each cup of tea, steep 1 tablespoon of herbal tea mix in 1 cup boiling water.

Fruit Tea Punch

2010-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 Bags Golden Green tea
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup honey
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh fruit, crushed
1 pint ginger ale

Method:
Make tea as per instructions on the tea bags. Allow it to cool. Mix all ingredients except ginger ale. Just before serving add ginger ale and crushed ice. If the punch is too strong for your taste you can dilute with ice water or more ginger ale.
http://www.tealand.com/

Calming Tea

2010-03-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

4 cups water
3 tsp linden flowers
3 tsp chamomile
3 tsp passionflower
3 tsp orange zest
½ tsp stevia (this is a sweetener, you could use sugar or honey as well)

Bring the water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Add the herbs, and allow them to steep for 10-15 minutes.
http://www.bellaonline.com/

How to Lose Weight With Herbal Tea Recipe

2010-03-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

So you've heard about all the damage that Hydroxycut can do to the poor consumer trying to balance their weight, right?

Did you know that Hydroxycitric (HCA) acid can be found naturally in a simple tropical plant used to make a refreshing tea in many traditional cultures? This is the same acid that was manufactured chemically in labs to create Hydroxycut, but the natural source is safe, healthy and a million times more beneficial to the body.

Hibiscus tea affects how we absorb fats and carbohydrates because it contains phaseolamin, a powerful enzyme inhibitor that blocks amylase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down fats and carbohydrates. This enzyme inhibitor acts in the same way as the drugstore-pill versions, but remains in its natural, unadulterated form and is much safer and more beneficial for the body than laboratory-produced concoctions. By the way, the same form of amylase inhibitors is present in kidney beans and other hard-to-digest legumes, so eat your beans! ;-)

In addition to blocking the absorption of sugars, this traditional tea has cleansing and anti-bloating properties, helping the body rid of excess fluids and therefore further contributing to weight loss, especially in premenstrual and menopausal women.

Hibiscus tea is caffeine-free and has a high vitamin C content, it has a bright red color and a tart cranberry-like flavor, it's like natures Kool-aide but way way better for you. Hibiscus tea is also known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

You can find dried loose flowers in most nature stores, and some brands even market hibiscus tea bags. It's inexpensive (no more than $20 per pound here in NY, and a full pound will last eaons) and can also be added to loose green or black tea for an added flavor.

By redappleyoga, eHow Member
http://www.ehow.com/

Basic Sage Tea Recipe

2010-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Pour 1 cup of boiled water over 2 teaspoons of fresh or 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep for about 10 minutes and strain. Make sure that the water is not boiling when you pour it over the leaves, otherwise, the potent essential oils contained in the sage will vaporize. Drink 1-2 cups of the tea daily, or use the warm infusion as a gargle. Sweeten the tea to taste with maple syrup or honey.

Medicinal Uses for Sage Tea

Sage contains abundant exxential oils with thujone, cincole and camphor. These provide it with the mucus-thinning and antiseptic properties that make it ideal for a gargle, wound dressing and vaginal rinse.
Sage's bitter constituents, tannins, flavonoids and flavone glycosides relieve digestive difficulties with their appetite-stimulating effects and work to strengthen the constitution overall.
Sage also contains estrogen-like substances that help ease menstrual and menopausal complaints.

Relieves inflamed throats and sore gums
Sage tea makes an excellent rinse and gargle for all infections of the mouth and throat because of its disinfecting of a sore throat. It will also soothe painful, inflamed gums, canker sores and irritated larynx and vocal cords.

Relieve menstrual and menopausal difficulties
For those with irregular bleeding or extremely light periods, drinking sage tea will make a difference. The tea also helps alleviate some of the difficulties of menopause, such as hot flashes and excessive sweating.

Relieve excessive sweating
Sage tea reduces secretions of the sweat glands and thus can alleviate night sweats, hot flashes during menopause and stress-related nervous perspiration. Drink 3 cups daily, preferably after meals, save 1 cup for bedtime if you are suffering with by night sweats. Check with you physician first to make sure the night sweats are not a symptom of any disease.

Remedy for milk production
Sage inhibits milk production by the mammary glands. Drink 1-2 cups of sage tea daily for a few days after your baby is weaned to help stop the flow of milk.

Sage bath for skin disorders
If you have itchy, weepy skin eruptions that do not heal, a bath containing a wound-purifying, astringent sage infusion may help. Steep 5 tablespoons of dried sage leaves in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Strain the infusion into the bathwater. Make sure you take this bath 2-3 time weekly.

Would you believe a breath freshner?
Fresh sage leaves have been used traditionally as a breath freshener as a folk remedy for many years. Pick a leaf off a plant, and use it as you would use a toothbrush. Rub the leaf over your teeth and tongue. This simple procedure will cool and refresh your mouth and help sweeten our breath as well..

http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/

Lemon Verbena Tea

2010-03-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

Lemon Verbena is also known as Vervain - while there may be a few types of Vervain, it is the type known as Lemon Verbena that we are using in this tea recipe.

Lemon Verbena is an antipyretic (fever reducing drug), an antispasmotic (good for fighting cramps), a relaxant, and is also used to treat asthma, fever, colds, upset stomach, and other digestive maladies.

1 cup of fresh Lemon Verbena leaves
1 quart of water

Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat, toss in your leaves, cover and let steep for about 5 minutes. Uncover, allow it to cool just a little, strain, and serve.
http://www.squidoo.com/tea-herb-recipes

STRAWBERRY/RASPBERRY LEAF TEA

2010-03-12T06:19:00.000-08:00

This herbal tea and its variations are mild and can be used, in moderation, for infants. Massage any of them onto your babies gums to ease teething pains. If you’re a nursing mother, you can use the tea as a digestive aid. And if your baby is colicky or has diarrhea, drink some yourself and give the baby some, lukewarm, a small spoonful at a time.

Strawberry/raspberry leaf tea also makes a pleasant, mild skin wash for infants. To treat scalp irritations such as cradle cap, use this tea, with a small mount of honey added, once or twice a day. Lightly sprinkle the tea on your infant’s head and gently rub it in. Leave it on for ten minutes to half an hour, then rinse with plain water or unsweetened tea to lubricate the skin and wash away any stickiness.

To Make One Pot:
½ cup fresh raspberry and/or strawberry leaves, (Or ¼ cup dried)
16 ounces of boiling water

Note: If you are picking your own, be sure to select clean, nonmildewed, healthy leaves that you know have not been sprayed or otherwise polluted. Never pick from plants growing by the roadside.

In a clean pot, pour the boiling water over the herbs. Cover and steep for five minutes or more. Strain and use as needed, warm or chilled; add maple syrup to sweeten, if desired.

Variation: Use 1/8 cup to ¼ cup dried mint leaves for a cooling analgesic effect.

Variation: Use 1/8 cup fresh or 1 tablespoon dried slippery elm bark or willow bark. When made into a light tea, the smooth young inner bark of these trees is a good pain reliever; rubbed on the skin, it relieves heat or diaper rash.

American Indian Healing Arts
Herbs, Rituals, and Remedies for Every Season of Life
E. Barrie Kavasch and Karen Baar
c: 1999