Hmmm... Hey WildChild and everyone Else!

[MistOfTheSea86]

Can you tell me how to make tea? Like from your own herbs, with magickal properties. I am so courious!:D

[Socharis]

i would like to know too.

[Yvonne Belisle]

A tea ball is really helpfull to have if you are going to do that. It cuts down on the flakes in your tea. You will be mixing dried herbs in various peoportions some people like the leaves in their cups and some don't. We may have an old thread with some info in it I'll take a look if we do I'll bump it up for you. I'm sure the others will be along soon to let you know how they do it and in what proportions.

[Lavender]

The general proportions for making tea is 1 tsp of herbs to 1 cup boiled water, steep 15-20 mins, strain & drink. Add honey if so desired.

That's the usual but it's not written in stone. The above is usually used for flowers & leaves. If you're using roots & barks, simmer gently for 20 mins.

I have tea balls but usually I use a fine-mesh strainer. You can also make your own tea bags by using coffee filters. Or make re-usuable bags out of thin cotton muslin.

Also, don't forget, used tea leaves can be composted. :) After the tea is drunk, the leaves can be dug into your garden as a thankyou.

This is what I usually do...I stir clockwise, invoking the energies of the herbs & plants to give their blessings to the tea to perform whatever their tasks may be. If I'm making a healing tea, I would stir counterclockwise, at the same time, asking the devas of the herbs to heal & send away the sickness.

I've got some great tea recipes around...I'll have to go dig them up & come back later. We're going on a bike ride this morning...wish me luck! :eek:

[Lavender]

Originally posted by MistOfTheSea86
Can you tell me how to make tea? Like from your own herbs, with magickal properties. I am so courious!:D

For me, the magical properties of herbs & plants are connected with their medicinal qualities. I usually make up a concoction based on what I need done. All my teas can be used as ordinary teas but what gives them the magic is I "add" that by invoking the plant devas. Same with anything else I do. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can take any tea recipe & make it magical. I would be curious to hear what other green witches do.

[Lavender]

Here's a recipe for apple mint ice tea...

3 tsp dried nettles
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, cleaned & crushed
2 cups boiling water
1 cup apple juice or cider

Steep for 10-15 mins, strain & chill. Stir in honey to taste if you like. Chill. Just before serving, add 1 cup unsweetened apple cider or apple juice. Serve over ice & garnish with sprigs of mint.

Another ice tea...it's kinda like a herbal gatorade

1 part nettle
1 part oatstraw
1 part red clover
1 part alfala
1 part rosehip, crushed & grounded up

Mix together & store in airtight container. Use 1 oz of herb mixt to 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 2 hours & strain. Add honey to sweeten if you like. Add to tea, 2 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups apple juice or cider. Chill & serve over ice. For really fancy stuff, freeze cranberries & use as ice cubes!

We like these teas so much, we don't have pop in the fridge anymore. :D

[MistOfTheSea86]

Interesting, I know some of those words. What does steep mean? How do you crush a freshly picked herb without smearing it? I am lost!:)

[Lavender]

When your water has boiled, you pour it into your cup or container with the herbs. You let it sit, covered, for the amount time you want. This is called steeping. The water will get darker as the tea steeps longer.

After you picked any fresh herbs, to bring out it's properties easier, you can crush or bruise the herb. This is done by cutting it into smaller pieces or by, yes, smearing it or mashing it a bit. This will help break down the plant cell walls so that the properties you want will come out easier. You don't want to overdo it & mash it into a pulp. I usually take the round part of the spoon & poke at it as it's steeping.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Check the thread I bumped on recipies it has a lot of definitions in it too. :)

[Mairwen]

There's an old Chinese saying:

How you make tea mimics how you live your life. How do you make tea?