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.