Love Thyself Tea – A Calming, Heart-Centered Blend for May - Herb Tea of the Month

Welcome, tea lovers! Today, we're thrilled to introduce our Tea Blend of the Month – Love Thyself Tea. This delightful blend is perfect for those calm May evenings when you just want to unwind and focus on self-care.

In this blog post, we'll walk you through the ingredients, show you how to prepare the perfect cup, and talk about the benefits of each component in the blend. We'll also discuss the importance of taking time for yourself and how a simple cup of tea can become a cherished ritual of relaxation and self-love.

Love Thyself Tea is designed to be a moment of mindful relaxation, emphasizing self-care and tranquility. The hibiscus flowers offer a rich, vibrant color and a tart flavor that awakens the senses, while the rose hips provide a subtle sweetness and a boost of Vitamin C. Chamomile, known for its calming properties, helps to ease stress and promote a sense of peace. The cinnamon adds a touch of warmth and spice, balancing the blend beautifully.  Cheers to a peaceful and heart-centered evening with Love Thyself Tea!

Love Thyself Tea

• 2 parts hibiscus flowers
• 1 part dried rose hips
• 1 part chamomile
•  ½ part cinnamon pieces

Blend ingredients and store in an airtight jar. To make:  Steep 1 tsp in hot water for 5–7 minutes.

Don't forget to leave a comment below and share your experience with Love Thyself Tea. Let us know how you enjoyed this blend and any other tea combinations you'd love to see in the future. 

Six Herbs for Spring

Spring is the season of beginnings — tender leaves, fresh flavors, and gardens waking up after winter’s rest. While many gardeners rush toward tomatoes and peppers, experienced herb growers know that the real magic of spring starts with herbs.

These early-season herbs do far more than flavor your kitchen. They improve soil health, attract pollinators, repel troublesome insects, and support neighboring plants through natural companion planting. In many ways, herbs act as the quiet caretakers of the garden, creating balance long before summer arrives.

 

Planting a thoughtful mix of herbs in spring sets the tone for the entire growing season. The six herbs below are hardworking companions that nurture both your garden ecosystem and your spring table.

 

Basil: Basil can benefit the growth petunias and the flavors of tomatoes, asparagus, peppers and oregano; it should not be planted near common rue or sage, and it will kill rosemary. To increase the essential oils in your basil, plant chamomile or anise.

 

Borage: Borage acts as a deterrent to tomato hornworms and cabbage worms and is known to attract bees and wasps. It also improves soil composition and helps any plants near it be more resistant to both pests and disease. Plant borage with strawberries, tomatoes or squash to enhance both the flavor and amount of your fruit or vegetable harvest.

 

Chamomile: In addition to increasing the essential oils of any nearby herbs, chamomile can help basil, wheat, onions, cabbage and cucumber plants. This herb also attracts hoverflies and wasps, which assist in pollination and prey on aphids and other pest insects.

 

Chives: A long-term investment, chives are often planted in conjunction with tomatoes, carrots, apple trees and roses. At first growth they will repel aphids from tomatoes, mums and sunflowers, and after about three years they have known to prevent apple scab and rose black spot.

Cilantro / Coriander: This familiar kitchen spice will deter aphids, potato beetles, and spider mites. It’s a good companion to anise, caraway, spinach and dill. If you have continued problems with spider mites, a tea made from coriander can repel them.

 

Dill: Companion to lettuce, cabbage, onions, sweet corn and cucumbers, dill should not be planted near carrots, caraway, lavender or tomatoes (it attracts tomato horn worms). This herb will keep aphids, spider mites and squash bugs from taking over your garden and will attract hoverflies, wasps, and honeybees. To avoid cross-pollination, don’t plant dill near fennel.

 

Simple Recipes Using Your Six Spring Herbs

One of the joys of growing herbs is walking from garden to kitchen with fresh ingredients in hand. These easy recipes celebrate the bright, clean flavors of spring and encourage frequent harvesting — which keeps plants thriving.

Spring Garden Herb Butter

Perfect for vegetables, grilled meats, potatoes, or warm bread.

• 1 stick softened butter
• 2 Tbsp fresh chives, minced
  
  
  
• 1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh dill
• 1 tsp chopped cilantro
• Pinch lemon zest
• Optional: edible borage flowers for garnish

Directions
Mix all ingredients until smooth. Roll into parchment paper to form a log and chill. Slice as needed.

Tip: Freeze extra herb butter for summer grilling season.

Herbal Spreads and butters were among the first blends I created and are still the most popular, see a list of all of them here: Herb Butters

Chamomile & Basil Spring Tea

• 1 Tbsp fresh or dried chamomile flowers
• 3–4 fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups hot water
• Honey or lemon (optional)

Directions
Steep herbs for 5–7 minutes. Strain and enjoy warm or chilled.

Of if you want a more rounded tea flavor featuring Chamomile, check out these teas from Backyard Patch Herbs.

Fresh Spring Herb Salad Dressing

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice or herbal vinegar
  
  
  
• 1 Tbsp chopped dill
• 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 Tbsp chopped chives
• ½ tsp honey
• Pinch black pepper

Directions
Whisk together and toss with fresh greens, cucumbers, or roasted asparagus.

For A set of our Salt-free Salad Dressing mixes, check out this: Salad Dressing bundles

Borage Blossom Strawberry Salad

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Baby greens
• Borage flowers
• Goat cheese or toasted nuts
• Light vinaigrette

Directions
Combine ingredients and top with borage blossoms just before serving. Their cucumber-like flavor highlights spring fruit beautifully.

Spring herbs remind us that gardening is not just about harvest — it is about relationships. These plants feed pollinators, protect neighboring crops, enrich soil, and reward us with fresh flavor long before the main garden reaches its peak.

By planting basil, borage, chamomile, chives, cilantro, and dill, you create a garden that works with nature instead of against it. A few thoughtfully placed herbs can transform both your garden beds and your meals, inviting you to slow down, harvest often, and celebrate the season of renewal.

Plant generously, harvest freely, and let spring begin with herbs.

 

Three Ingredient Teas for Hot Tea Month

I pulled together these easy-to-craft recipes for tea which feature only three ingredients.  They can be crafted with equal amounts of each ingredient, but I like a more proportional recipe based on actual ingredients and its potency.  For example:

Here’s a simple, reliable blending framework:

• Leafy herbs: largest proportion
• Flowers: moderate (they carry aroma fast)
• Roots & barks: small amounts
• Seeds & spices: smallest amounts

A classic herbal tea ratio:

• 3–5 parts leafy herbs
• 1–2 parts flowers
• 1/2 –1 part roots or seeds
• 1/4 to 1/2 part spices

So enjoy these recipes to make your winter more enjoyable.  Start with a part that is 1 teaspoon, then if you like the blend use a Tablespoon as the part, to have enough for more than one cup of tea.  The general rule with herb teas is 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 to 10 ounces of water and allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.  With Green or Black teas steep only 2 minutes.

Winter Comfort Tea

• 1 part Chamomile
• 1/2 Ginger root, grated
• 1/4 part Cinnamon, broken

Why it works: Calming, gently warming, and perfect for evenings or snowy days.
Tip: Great with a touch of honey.

 

2. Cold Weather Calm

• 2 parts Lemon balm
• 1 part Peppermint
• 1 part Elderflower

Why it works: Bright and soothing without being medicinal—nice for stressy winter days.

3. Fireside Spice Tea

• 2 parts Rooibos
• 1/2 part Cinnamon
• 1/2 to 1 part Orange peel, broken or chopped

Why it works: Naturally caffeine-free, rich, and warming with a subtle citrus lift.
Feels like: A hug in a mug.

 

4. Throat & Soul Tea

• 1/2 part Marshmallow root
• 1/4 part Licorice root
• 1 part Peppermint

Why it works: Smooth, soothing, and especially nice during dry winter months.
Note: Naturally sweet without sugar.

 

5. Winter Garden Mint 

• 1 part Spearmint
• 1/2 part Lemon peel
• 1 part Rose petals

Why it works: Light, uplifting, and reminds you that gardens return 🌸
Lovely as: An afternoon pick-me-up.

 

6. Snow Day Chai-ish

• 1 part Black tea (or roasted dandelion root for caffeine-free)
• 1/2 part Ginger root, grated (1/4 part powdered)
• 1/4 part Cardamom seeds

Why it works: Cozy spice without a long ingredient list.

 

7. Simple Herbal Nightcap

• 2 parts Linden
• 1 part Chamomile
• 1/2 part Lemon peel, grated

Why it works: Gentle, floral, and relaxing—perfect before bed.

Ginger Hibiscus Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Red and cinnamon flavored, this tea is perfect for the holiday season, with a bit of ginger keeping your stomach happy and lemongrass for germ fighting. This can be served hot or iced.

Ginger Hibiscus Tea

2 parts dried lemongrass
1 part dried hibiscus flowers
1 1/4 parts dried finely chopped ginger
1/2 part cinnamon granules (or finely chopped cinnamon – not powder)

Mix together the dried herbs and spices.  You any size part you want, just keep it the same across all ingredients. For each 8 oz cup of tea, use 1 tsp of the dried mix, either in a tea ball, coffee filter tied shut or drawstring tea bag.  Bring water to a boil, turn off the heat and add the tea to teapot or tea cup and cover with water, closing the pot or covering the pot to keep in all of the essential oils.  Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending if you will be adding ice.

Elderberry and Fresh Mint Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Cooler weather, being indoors and vissiting with family and freinds often brings many airbourne illnesses, so I thought a tea you could keep in the refrigerator to use as an energy and immuity booster.  This is a two part tea you brew separately and mix together to serve. You can use any combination of fresh mint leaves you may have on hand to create this.

ELDERBERRY AND FRESH MINT TEA

Make a concentrated elderberry tea:

1 1/4 cup water
1 tsp dried elderberries
1 Tbls raisins

Bring water to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, add elderberries and raisins, close pot and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, allow to come to room temperature and strain off the liquid.  You can keep the concentrate in the fridge for a week.

Make mint tea:  

Any combination of mints will work, so if you have a flavored mint, like lime, chocolate, orange or more, add those.  For a base I used spearmint and applemint in mine.

With fresh herbs we used 1 Tbls of fresh mint per cup of water (1 tsp of dried mint).  Bring water just to a boil, turn off heat. Place herbs in a teapot and pour over water.  Steeping with the lid closed on the pot for 3-5 minutes.  Remove the herbs.

Mix the two teas together, altering the ratio depending on whether you want more mint or more fruit flavor.  The raisins will give some natural sweetness, but you can also add honey.  Great as an iced tea, but excellent to keep handy in the fridge to heat up in the winter for your daily boost.  Drink daily 

 

Thyme to Sleep Tea - Tea of the Month

I have many nights where I find sleep elusive.  I am a light sleeper and easily wake and find myself unable to fall back to sleep.  Thyme is a go-to herb to help me sleep. Thyme is a powerful antibacterial; combined with its strong action as an antitussive (cough suppressive), those dry winter days indoors will bother you no more! When the dry cough comes creeping in and sleep is elusive, drink some of this thyme tea with honey and lemon, and you won’t even need to count sheep.

Thyme to Sleep Tea

3 cups water

4-6 tsp dried garden thyme

4-6 tsp dried bee balm leaves or flowers

Honey to flavor

Place herbs in a tea ball or coffee filter and place in a teapot.  Boil water and pour over dried herbs. Cover immediately to trap volatile oils. Steep time is your preference; longer is stronger. Start with 4-6 minutes. Add honey and lemon juice to flavor bring out the flavor. Sweet dreams!

Lemon Thyme Mint Fall Tea for Tea blend of the Month

Thyme is a great germ fighter and lemon is always refreshing, so this special recipe for a thyme -based tea will have you sipping as the days grow cooler.

Lemon Thyme Mint Tea

1 part lemon thyme (or ¼ part lemon peel)

1 part peppermint

1 part thyme

¼ part crushed coriander

Blend the ingredients together and place in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

TO USE: Add 1 Tsp to an infuser or coffee filter and allow to steep for 7 to 10 minutes.  Sip and enjoy!

Summer Daze Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Spearmint for cooling, flowers for summer brightness and a few immunity boosters so you stay healthy to enjoy the fun make this a tasty summer tea.

• 1 tsp spearmint
• 1 tsp dried lemongrass
• ½ tsp each elderflowers
• ½ tsp rose petals
• ½ tsp chamomile
• ½ tsp blackberry leaf
• Pinch of orange peel  (or purchase our ready-made tea blend!)

Mix ingredients together well and store in a tightly sealed jar

To Use: Bring cool water to a boil.  Place 1 tsp of the tea blend in a tea infuser, pour 1 cup of boiling water over and allow to steep for 5 – 6 minutes, preferably in a covered container.  For iced tea, allow to steep up to 12 minutes, then allow to cool to room temperature and add ice and add a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Tea to Help you De-stress - Tea Blend of the Month

This blend of herbs is designed to help you handle stress and the reactions your body takes to it. it contains three herbs which work together on stress issues in a variety of ways.

Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi - helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone, cortisol in the body. The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties (also known as anti-stress agents). It helps sooth the nerves, regulates blood circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress

Chamomile flowers - always popular for its ability to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, it also adds an apple flavor to tea.

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) - a native of temperate northern Europe and southwest Asia, the plant will nourish the central nervous system and help one to fend off seasonal depression.

Seasonal Stress Reducing Tea

25 tsp holy basil, dried

10 tsp chamomile flowers, dried

5 tsp oatstraw, dried

Method 1. Measure out your dried herbs into a bowl.

2. Mix herbs together, then transfer to jar with a tight-fitting lid for storage.

TO USE: For a single cup or mug, 1 Tablespoon to 8 to 10 ounces of water. Place the herbs in a cloth bag, coffee filter tied closed, or a tea infuser. Pour boiled water over the herbs, set aside and let steep for 5-10 mins, Sit back and enjoy.

If you want to make the blend by the cup combine 2 tsp holy basil, 1 tsp chamomile, 1/2 tsp oatstraw, add the measured out ingredients to an infuser, place in cup and pour over, allowing to steep for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking.

Lavender Fantasy Tea - Herbal Tea Blend for the Month

This particular tea is part of my recently published booklet Growing and Using Lavender in the Midwest.  I like this recipe because it has a number of flowers in it and reminds me of Spring and Summer.

Lavender centered with the earthly floral scent and taste of lavender buds, it is complemented by the apple-y brightness of chamomile and the headiness and richness of yarrow.  A bit a stevia adds sweetness, but if you do not have it, you can sweeten the final tea with honey.

LAVENDER FANTASY TEA 
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Chamomile
1 part Stevia

Combine ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine.  Use 1 to 2 Tsp per 8 ounces of hot water, 1 Tablespoon for a mug and allow to steep 5 to 7 minutes before enjoying.

Chicken Rosemary Cream Sauce - Backyard Patch Recipe

This is a tasty recipe that is flavored with S&G tea rather than a seasoning mix.  It is so easy to make and only takes 30 minutes.  I was surprised how fast it all came together.

Chicken in Rosemary Tea Cream Sauce

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

4 tablespoons butter, divided

1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon Backyard Patch S&G Tea (parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme)

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in 1 tablespoon butter until a thermometer reads 165°, 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm.

Add wine to pan; cook over medium-low heat, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Add cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Stir S&G Tea into 3 remaining Tablespoons of softened butter, then add to sauce and stir until blended. Serve sauce with chicken.

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, or Recipe2019 

You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD in the () to search for each  month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2020 so you can find them all.

The themes are:

Feb 2020 - Footbal Tailgate Favorites (AppFeb)

March 2020 - Kabobs (KabobMar)

April 2020 - Brunch (BrunchApr) more in 2021 also

May 2020 - Non-Traditional Pizza (PizzaMay)

June 2020 - StirFry Dishes (StirJun)

July 2020 - Salads with no lettuce (SaladJul)

August 2020 - Pickled things (PickleAug)

September 2020 - Quiche (QuicheSep)

October 2020 - Squash Soups (SquashOct)

November 2020 - Pumpkin (again) (PumpNov)

December 2020 - Turkey Recipes (TurkDec)