Herbal Teas

[Pagan Mantis]

Hey ya'll, thought this would be an interesting topic to start! I've finally found a vitamin outlet in my area that has bulk herbs!!!!! I felt like a kid in a candy store when I first laid eyes on their selection! So anyway, I made a relaxation tea the other night, and it was wonderful. So, my idea here is, why don't we all start sharing some of our recipes and ideas for herbal teas? The one I tried was a little modified, but it worked well nonetheless! So, here it is:

Relaxation Tea: per cup of tea mix-
1 Tbsp English Breakfast
1 Tsp Elder Flower
2 Tsp Rose Hips
1 Tsp Chamomile
2 Tsp Hops
1 Tsp Valerian

The funny thing about this, as it is the original recipe, was that I used English Breakfast tea bags, as opposed to the actual tea herb. This actually worked quite well, as I used 2 tea bags, then doubled the original recipe for six cups of boiled water! Even though the Valerian's scent reminds me of the hind end of something foul, the tea came out wonderful, well rounded and tastes delicious! Not to mention, the relaxing effect was nice! Hope everyone has a wonderful experience to share here!

[RunningBear]

My fave just at the moment is chocolate mint and lemon.

one sprig chocolate mint and one slice of lemon per cup. Steep in hot water for 5 mins. Very refreshing :)

[_Banbha_]

mmmmm....infusions....can't choose just one.........anything beyond basic herbs and simple blends, I get here: Mountian Rose Herbs (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/tea_bev/tea_bev.php), so good. :drool:

I love Blossoms of Health, Evening Repose, Vita-blend, Quiet Child, Peace tea blends.

They make a Dream tea that is highly effective in my experience. I must sleep with a tape recorder by my side to be sure I can get all the details before they disappear. :smile:

[Zephyrstorm]

Well, because of my limited resources right now, I'm reliant on the types of teas I can buy or can buy in parts and blend myself. ;)
But the most relaxing tea I've got in the house right now is a Vanilla Almond blend to which I sometimes add a Jasmine Green tea to, which really helps it. Add a dash of nutmeg and I'm literally in heaven.

For my tummy troubles (I have IBS), I rely on a combination of (depending on the moment and the problem) Peppermint, Spearmint, Chamomile and Ginger teas. They all really help quite a bit.

Z

[Semjaza]

I don't make herbal teas as often as I should... but when I do, it's just a wander to the garden, or front lawn, or wherever, and a wild grab at anything that looks good.

I usually make a base of a handful of spearmint and slightly more lemon balm, and then either just go with that or throw in some bee balm or catnip or steal one of Mom's roses (kinda astringent though). Then I bruise all the leaves, stuff them into mason jars, pour no-longer boiling water over them, put on the covers so the essential oils don't escape, and drink them when I remember that I made them. It's gross when it's cold, though.

Cheers,

Semjaza
FFFF

[_Banbha_]

I steep infusions in covered mason jars often too. I make them in batches and keep them in the fridge. Most of the blends I use taste good chilled. I just really like them. I don't drink regular black teas or coffee or soda. It's this and water. :weirdsmil There is a great recipe for homemade ginger ale in The Greenroom I'd love to try though. :drool:

[MsMollimizz]

Due to all my pains I use peppermint tea quite a bit, then
my Mom turned me on to peppermint and chamomile mixed.
I've recently saw in the store the same mixture...but doing
the mix yourself I find tastes better.
I make linimints for aches and pains so I try to keep both
of those and lavender on hand.
Gentle Light
MsMolli

[Meadhbh]

This one is good for when your feeling ran down but not quiet sick yet:
1 cup dried peppermint leaves
1/2 cup dried, chopped dandelion root
1/4 cup whole allspice berries
2 tbsp ground ginger root
1 - 1 inch piece of licorice root, crushed

[kristadb]

This one is good for when your feeling ran down but not quiet sick yet:
1 cup dried peppermint leaves
1/2 cup dried, chopped dandelion root
1/4 cup whole allspice berries
2 tbsp ground ginger root
1 - 1 inch piece of licorice root, crushed

I think I'd like this.

What is the per cup serving size? 1 tsp?

[TheLittleWitchy]

Ohh I'm going to write these down! Very yummy. :cutie:

[Convallaria]

Tisanes are not teas, lol. If it has no tea in it, it's not tea, ;)

My favourite tisane is chamomile. Just chamomile flowers steeped in water. I also LOVE blueberry&white tea because of the antioxidants.
I bought a really nice "Christmas Tea," as well, which has allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, black tea, bits of apple... scrumptious!

[MercyWild]

My favorite herbal tea or more properly tistane of the moment is a mint and anise blend with a bit of orange peel for a hint of citrus.

[patch]

I'm a huge fan of liqourice infusions.
Pour hot water over 1tsp of the root (ground up; but if you can't grind it up, just cut a piece thats about an inch long, as someone mentioned above ;))

It's beautifully sweet (about 15 times sweeter than cane sugar apparantly) so it makes a nice alternative to a sugary snack!

I also drink peppermint infusions. I have Ulcerative colitis and IBS, and peppermint is really wonderful at relieving the symptoms.

[Twinkle]

I'm a huge fan of liqourice infusions.
Pour hot water over 1tsp of the root (ground up; but if you can't grind it up, just cut a piece thats about an inch long, as someone mentioned above ;))

It's beautifully sweet (about 15 times sweeter than cane sugar apparantly) so it makes a nice alternative to a sugary snack!

I also drink peppermint infusions. I have Ulcerative colitis and IBS, and peppermint is really wonderful at relieving the symptoms.


D'oh!! I didn't even think of peppermint tea for relieving bad bellies. I also have IBS....thanks so much for your post!!

*off to go make Peppermint tea*

[patch]

D'oh!! I didn't even think of peppermint tea for relieving bad bellies. I also have IBS....thanks so much for your post!!

*off to go make Peppermint tea*

No problem. ^_^
I used to swear by a tablet known as 'colpermin', but it's active ingredient was peppermint; so I figured I could use a more natural alternative. ;)
The doctor agreed! :uhhuhuh:

Peppermint -oil- is slightly more effective though.

[Bird]

Peppermint tea is wonderful. I found it really helped with my pregnancy nausea with my two witchlets, and as I ended up with sections for both babes, helped with the discomfort of trapped air after both operations.

At the moment I have laryngitis, so am loving chamomile tea with a teaspoon of organic honey in. On my more anxious days I add two teaspoons of fresh (half to one teaspoon of dry) lemon balm to it.

If I can't sleep I love James Wong's Hot Chocolate recipe:

1 tbsp fresh valerian root (I tend to use 1/2 tbsp of dried)
1 tbsp fresh lemon balm
1 tsp fresh lavender flowers (again, I use 1/2 tsp of dried)
Peel from one orange
300ml full fat milk
50g good quality dark choc (I use a 70% cocoa solids one)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Add valerian, lemon balm, lavender, orange and milk to pan and gently heat for 5-10 mins, then strain. Pour the infused milk back into the pan, then add the dark choc and vanilla and stir until melted. Drink....

James Wong adds leaves and the head of a passionflower to his, but I don't have them to hand so I've never used them.

I know this isn't a herbal tea or tisane, but it is good.

[patch]

If I can't sleep I love James Wong's Hot Chocolate recipe:




I adore James Wong's recipes!

[Bird]

I adore James Wong's recipes!

Me too; I loved the series, although I missed the Christmas special. There's a new series this year, and his new book is out next week. He's easy on the eye, too, but of COURSE that has nothing to do with me enjoying his programmes... tee hee! :mmm:

[patch]

Me too; I loved the series, although I missed the Christmas special. There's a new series this year, and his new book is out next week. He's easy on the eye, too, but of COURSE that has nothing to do with me enjoying his programmes... tee hee! :mmm:

Lol! I agree with you there. :thumbsup:

I liked the christmas special, some of it was quite OTT (I found it hilarious when he said he was going to give us a use for our saffron...who has saffron (one of the most expensive spices!) just lying around waiting for use? xD

[Bird]

who has saffron (one of the most expensive spices!) just lying around waiting for use? xD

Oh yes, I have tonnes of the stuff laying around!!!! :hyper: Methinks the BEEB may have paid him a bit much!!!!