Yay! Tea Time!

Basil Tea:

Uses: Antispasmodic, aids digestion, settles the stomach, relieves nausea, with honey helps clear catarrh and tickly coughs
Tastes: The leaves have a slightly minty flavor when dried...
To make: Infuse 2 tsp of dried leaves in 1 cup of hot water to make a tea to settle the stomach. To relieve tickly coughs and help clear catarrh, add honey to taste.

Blackberry Tea

Uses: Effective in combating gout (dried leaves made into tea), the leaves chewed fresh will help bleeding gums. The tea is also used to help treat diarrhea.

Tastes: The fruit is sharp and sweet, the leaves are milder but still tangy.

To make: use 4 teaspoons of dried leaves to 1 cup hot water.

Caraway Tea

Uses: Aids digestion. A strong infusion gargled will ease sore throats. Chewing the seeds will sweeten breath. 

Tastes: Warming, aromatic

To make: 6 tsp crushed seeds to 1 cup hot water. As a decoction, use 6 tsp of seeds, then boil in 1 cup milk and leave to steep for 10 minutes. When taken cool, the decoction may help relieve colic in children and ease gas and menstrual cramps in adults. 

Celery Tea

Uses: Digestive, stimulant, lowers blood pressure, treats heartburn and rheumatism

Tastes: Sharp, fresh but warming

To make: Grind 1 tsp of seeds, and add 1 cup of water. Stand for 10 minutes, drink while still warm

Cautions: Do not drink while pregnant, or if you have high blood pressure

Chamomile Tea

Uses: Stress, insomnia, headaches, calming effect, liver cleansing (therefore also good for skin)

Tastes: mild and warming, soothing

To make: Infuse dry flower in hot water for 3 minutes, drink warm or chilled. 

To make a strong infusion, soak 2 ounces of dried flowers in a little boiling water. This can, once cool, be used as an antiseptic lotion or even used to lighten hair

Dandelion Tea

Uses: diuretic, aids digestion, relieves dyspepsia, eases liver problems, cleansing and detoxifying. Used in Chinese medicine  for treating breast tumors, mastitis, abscesses, hepatitis and jaundice.
Tastes: mild...I like it sweetened with honey
To make: 2 whole fresh leaves and steep in 1 cup hot water.
Caution: because of it's diuretic properties, caution is advised...especially where prone to dehydration

Dill Tea

Uses: insomnia, antispasmodic, diuretic, traditionally given to breastfeeding mothers to aid milk production, calm and tone digestive system, combat urinary infections. Traditionally used to ease wind in babies

Tastes: Spicy and mildly bitter

To make: steep 2 tsp of seeds in 2 cups hot water and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Add honey to taste.

Caution: only ever use the seeds of FRESH leaves. Dried leaves contain a volatile oil which is toxic. However, the SEEDS and FRESH LEAVES are perfectly safe, even for babies.

Fennel Tea

Uses: promotes digestion, ease wind

Tastes: Delightful! But a little bit like aniseed, only milder and sweeter

To make: 1 tbls of fresh seeds, crushed, added to 1 cup hot water. Steep for 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey to taste. 

Feverfew Tea

Uses: promotes sleep, eases asthma, mild laxative effect, inhibits migraines

Tastes: rather bitter

To make: 1 heaped tsp per cup of boiling water. Migraine sufferers can take 1 to 2 cups per day (read caution)

Caution: prolonged use can result in mouth ulcers

Thats all for today!

the book I got these recipes from is called 'Herbal Teas', written by Richard Craze

xxxKatie