tea

Along with the seasonal change into winter comes crisp and chilling winds that inspire warm knitted and crocheted scarves, layered garments, mittens, and the warmth of fireplaces and candlelight. But what also comes along with the winter season is a change in moods, low energy, and most of all, a high level of people roaming around with the “under the weather” blues. A great way to add some warmth and health to your winter season is to indulge in a variety of hot herbal teas. Most teas are a relaxant and the concoctions that you can blend up at home are endless and can be quite addictive once you start.

The art of tea time can be quite healthy for your spirit as well. Tea associates itself with warmth, friends, coziness, and health. So create yourself your very own tea time to nurture your spirit & be creative with your blends and presentation. Even if the cup of tea is only for you. You are worth the tea time(check out our favorite picks on how to serve it it up creatively here: Servin Up Tea!)

Here are a few tip and recipes to get you started:

Drying Fresh Herbs: Drying your own herbs is quite easy. Simply take your bunch of herbs rinse and pat dry & shake, then remove any bad leaves. Take a brown paper bag and punch several small holes in it. Place the bunch of leaves into the bag with the stems sticking out of the bag. Tie the stems together along with the opening of the bag with some string or a rubber-band . Hang them up to dry for about two weeks or so. Once dry, remove any leaves that may have gone bad and store them whole in a clear canning jar or in a ziplock bag. Dried herbs can be used for up to one year. You can also use a dehydrator which takes much less time.

Steeping Your Tea: Bring a pot of your desired amount of water to a boil. Simply take your crushed or fresh leaves and put them in the pot and let boil for a few minutes. Bring the temperature down to medium low and let steep until it reaches your desired strength(the darker the tea the stronger your tea will be).

Tea Tip: When measuring, use 3-4 teaspoons of fresh herbs per one cup of water and 1-2 teaspoon if you are using dried herbs.

Tea Herb Garden: Create a tea herb garden by using a mixture of herbs that can be used for tea blends. If you live in a small space or apartment that does not lend well to gardening, then create yourself a container garden. I like to blend Chamomile flowers, Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary, and Lemon Balm together. Get creative with the blends. Be sure to either keep your containers on your patio or near a window. Open/crack your windows for a while to decrease mold/mildew on your leaves. Container blends are also quite aromatic and lovely to decorate with outside or in a room with proper sun-light and temperature.

Tea Tip: Bring charm to your garden. If you create a tea garden or a container garden, make some creative markers by labeling them with the remedies in which the plant is good for. For example, where your Chamomile, is planted, mark it: Rest & Relaxation, and so on and so on.

Essential Tea Herbs:

Peppermint: great for relaxation, easing an upset stomach, aids in digestion and can relieve headaches.

Chamomile: reduces cold symptoms, helps those with problems sleeping(relaxant), calms the nerves.

Sage & Thyme: great for cold congestion, coughing, and sinuses

Dandelion: detoxifying properties & Cleanses the liver

Lemon Balm: energy booster, headaches, high blood pressure

Rosemary: aids to a healthy liver, eases joint pains, and reduces and heals cold symptoms

Scullcap: great to take during your menstrual cycle, reduces upset nerves and anxiety

Thyme: immune booster, soothes ore throats and coughs


Tea Tip: When drying your herbs,leave the leaves whole and only crush them at the time you make your tea. This will ensure that the aroma and taste stays fresh.

Dry Herbs, Spices, and Supplies:

www.mountainroseherbs.com

Add Some Flavor: Fruits and spices are fantastic to add to your tea blends. Fresh or dried fruits such as lemon, cranberries, apricots, raspberries, oranges, and spices such a ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and anise are wonderful additions to customize your concoctions and bring charm to your tea cups!

Colds & Flu

1 oz Blackberry leaves

1 oz Elder flowers

1 oz Linden flowers

1 oz Peppermint leaves

Pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 tbs mixture. Cover & steep 10 minutes; strain.

Calming Tea

1 oz Lemon balm

1 oz Chamomile flowers

½ oz St Johns Wort

Steep 2 tbs of mixture in 1 cup boiled water. Cover 10 minutes; strain.

Nursing Mothers Tea

1 teaspoon crushed Fennel seeds

1 cup boiling water

Mix the seeds with the boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, and sip the infusion. Drinking a tea made with fennel helps to promote the secretion of breast milk in nursing mothers. Find More Great Recipes & Tea Tips Here: pages.prodigy.net/groovyskye/10.html

Tea Time for Health Reads:Herbal Tea Gardens, Herbal Tea: Nourishing Blends for Vitality