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.
About The Author
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her
husband and three kids. She is also editor of
StandBesideHer.com and has a family friendly blog,
On the Front Porch.