Nature's Coolest Helpers: Beating the Heat with Herbs

When the temperatures climb like they are this week in Illinois and surrounding areas, it's tempting to retreat indoors with the air conditioner running full blast. But herbs have been helping people stay cool, hydrated, and refreshed for centuries and are worth a try. Whether you're sipping a glass of herbal iced tea, adding cooling herbs to your meals, or harvesting from your garden in the early morning, herbs can make even the hottest summer days more enjoyable.

Cool from the Inside Out

Many herbs have naturally refreshing flavors that make them perfect for summer drinks.

Mint

Perhaps the king of cooling herbs, mint creates a refreshing sensation thanks to its natural menthol. Add fresh sprigs to water, lemonade, iced tea, or fruit salads. Mint also makes an excellent herbal tea that's just as delicious served over ice.

Lemon Balm

With its gentle lemon aroma and calming qualities, lemon balm is wonderful for stressful, hot afternoons. Brew it into an iced tea or combine it with mint for a refreshing summer blend.

Hibiscus

If you're looking for something colorful, hibiscus makes a beautiful ruby-red iced tea. Its tart, cranberry-like flavor pairs well with honey, citrus, or berries and is wonderfully thirst-quenching.

Lavender

A small amount of lavender adds a floral touch to lemonade or iced tea. Just a little goes a long way, creating an elegant summer beverage perfect for entertaining.

Add Herbs to Summer Meals

Heavy meals can feel overwhelming in hot weather. Fresh herbs brighten lighter dishes and add plenty of flavor without extra salt.

Try adding:

• 
  Basil to tomato salads and pasta. We love to slice tomato and cucumber and spread them on a plate.  Sprinkle them with our Greek Blend and drizzle with olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.  Cool, refreshing and filled with summer goodness.
  
• Dill to cucumber salads and yogurt dips.
• Parsley to grain bowls and potato salad, perfect with our Summer only Potato Salad Seasoning.
• Chives over grilled vegetables.
• Cilantro in fresh salsa and tacos.

Herbs allow simple seasonal produce to shine.

Make Your Own Cooling Infused Water

Skip sugary drinks and make a naturally flavored herbal water.

Some favorite combinations include:

• Mint + cucumber
• Lemon balm + lemon slices
• Basil + strawberries
• Lavender + blueberries
• Rosemary + orange slices
• Borage + cucumber

Let the mixture steep in the refrigerator for several hours before serving over ice.

Zesty Citrus Cooler (Made with Zesty Lemon Tea)

• 2 Tbsp Backyard Patch Zesty Lemon Tea
• 2 cups hot water
• 4 cups cold water
• Lime slices
• Lemon slices
• Cucumber ribbons
• Mint

Brew tea in two cups water and allow to steep 15 minutes.  Add cold water along with lemon, lime and cucumber and allow to chill several hours.  Then serve with ice and a sprig of mint. Perfect after gardening or spending time outdoors.

Harvest Smart During Hot Weather

Summer heat can be tough on herbs too.

For the best flavor:

• Harvest early in the morning.
• Water deeply rather than frequently.
• Mulch around plants to keep roots cool.
• Pinch flowers on leafy herbs like basil and mint to encourage fresh growth.
• Dry herbs indoors where temperatures are moderate.

A little care keeps your herb garden productive throughout the hottest months.

Herbs Beyond the Kitchen

Cooling herbs aren't limited to food and drinks.

Fresh herbs can also be used to make:

• Herbal facial mists
• Cooling foot soaks
• Bath sachets
• Refreshing linen sprays
• Homemade herbal ice cubes for beverages

These simple projects help you enjoy your harvest in new ways while making hot summer days feel a bit more comfortable.

Stay Cool Naturally

Summer doesn't have to mean simply enduring the heat. Herbs bring fresh flavors, beautiful aromas, and cooling refreshment to everyday life. Whether you're harvesting from your own garden or picking up a bundle at the market, there's always another delicious way to let herbs help you beat the heat.

So pour yourself a glass of iced herbal tea, head outside in the early morning to gather a few sprigs from the garden, and enjoy one of the season's greatest gifts—fresh herbs at their peak.

 

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. 

Triple Happiness Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

(adapted from Kathleen Kips of the Village Herb Shop)

This tea is refreshing and great both as a hot or iced tea.  The medicinal properties of the ingredients include increased happiness, comfort and emotional balance.

• ½ cup loose black tea
• 1 Tbls. Rose buds
• 1 Tbls. Rosemary
• 1 Tbls crushed, dried Rose Geranium leaves
• 1 Tbls. Hibiscus
• 1 Tbls. Seedless rose hips
• 1 tsp. whole cloves

Combine ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine.

To Use:  Add 1 level tsp. per cup of hot water and steep 3 to 4 minutes.  

Pleasant Home Tea Blend - Tea of the Month

 In Late January I did one of several programs called Curative Properties of Tea (see program page if interested). As part of this program we sip tea while learning about herbs and thier various properties.  At the Park District of Oak Park, Pleasant Home facility, 12 people braved the cold and the snow to join us.  As the final part of the program we use our new knowledge to create a tea bland to sample.

It was described as smooth, flavorful and light by participants.  It is a light pink to red color with a ton of medicinal properties from the herbs included. We used a base of lemongrass with all of its anti-inflamatory and anti-bacterial properties and built on that with immunity boosting ingredients.

Lemongrass imparts a fresh, lemony, and slightly gingery flavor to dishes and beverages. It is great for digestive health, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.  It can reduce anxiety and aid sleep.  It will also help to detoxify the body with its diuretic effects.

Hibiscus – Used in tea to add a bit of color, Hibiscus has been studied recently to confirm that it can be helpful in lowering cholesterol, improving HDL “good” cholesterol, and lowering blood sugar.

Elderberry – a documented immunity booster, these berries are used for reducing the symptoms of the flu.  Only the berries and flowers should be used, not the stems or leaves as they can include cyanide.

Calendula – this lovely golden flower is an effective skin care treatment is does have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and would healing properties.

Rosehips- Rosehips are the seed-filled bulbs that grow at the base of the blossom of a rose. They have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Native Americans have used rosehip tea to soothe sore throats and indigestion.  Rosehips contain vitamins C, E, and B as well as other minerals and antioxidants.  They also contain a substance that may ease inflammation.

Pleasant Home Tea 

2 parts Lemongrass

1 part Hibiscus

1 part Calendula

1 part Elderberry

1/2 part Rose hips

Blend the herbs in a jar and shake to combine.  Use about 1 to 2 tsp per cup of hot water and allow to steep 5 to 7 minutes before serving.  Sip in the morning or afternoon to enjoy the health benefits.

Hope you enjoy this tea as much as we did!

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.

Red Tea for Juneteenth - Tea Blend of the Month

Red Drink is a thing for Juneteeth Celebrations, so I thought I would share a hibiscus-based tea recipe that one could use on the upcoming holiday!

This version is high in vitamin C and has a sweetness and a tartness that is perfect for the warm summer days.

Hibiscus Heaven Tea

• 1 part chopped hibiscus flower
• 1 part rose hips, chopped
• ½ part orange peel
• ½ part lemongrass, dried
• ½ part lemon peel

Mix dry ingredients together well (1 part can equal 1 tsp for easy calculation).  

Recipe adapted from Morning Sun Herb Farm

Sweet Sleep Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

I have had several people asking me about sleep teas and although I have several, I went looking for some recipes from other sources as base for some new ideas.  I found this great recipe from Tina Sams in her book “Living with Lavender.”

Tina experiences the same problem I do which is the inability to stay asleep or getting back to sleep after waking up. She is the one who turned me onto Holy Basil (Tulsi) to help control that. This recipe has a wonderful combination of relaxing herbs and stress reducing herbs that can also help one to sleep.

For more information on Tina and her many herb books and publications, check out her website www.EssentialHerbal.com

Sweet Sleep Herbs

• 1 Tbls lemon balm
• 1 Tbls chamomile
• 1 Tbls passion flower (leaves, flowers and/or stems)
• 1 tsp hibiscus
• 1 tsp rose petals
• 1 tsp lavender buds

Chop the ingredients so they are a consistent size and mix together, storing in a tight sealing jar. 

TO USE: Place 1 tsp in  cup of boiling water and steep 10 to 15 minutes.  Sweeten with a bit of honey if needed.

Health Benefits -- Tea Ideas for the Month of August

Health Benefits of Herbal Tea

With a handful of herbs, many of which can be found in your kitchen cabinets or garden,  and a few basic techniques, you can brew up healing teas for everyday ailments.

There are lots of ways to enjoy the goodness of plants, but for accessibility and simplicity, it’s hard to beat a good cup of tea. I especially enjoy it when it the tea contains herbs I grew, foraged, or blended myself. 

There are also so many health benefits to drinking tea that can’t be denied. Here are a few of the known benefits.

ginger

Improves Digestion 

Several herbal teas have been shown to help with nausea, constipation, indigestion, and more. Fortunately, most of them are widely available and easy to make. Some herbs that are known to help include: ginger, peppermint, gentian root, fennel, angelica root, dandelion, senna, and marshmallow root

Mint teas are great for the stomach so tea with strong mint favors will help with digestion.  At Backyard Patch Herbs we have Shakespeare and Rest Easy Teas which will give you the mint flavor in an amount to help with stomach issues.

Peppermint and Green Tea

• 2 parts peppermint
• 1 part green tea

Combine together and store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, use 1 to 2 tsp per cup of hot water. Can be served hot or iced.

chamomile

Reduces Inflammation 

There are a variety of beneficial compounds present in different kinds of tea that can help to soothe inflammation, including tea itself as well as rose petals and rose hips, ginger, turmeric, chamomile, and more.

Backyard Patch Herbs has several types of tea that will help with inflammation - like Hibiscus Rose Blush, Turmeric Chai and Therapeutic.

Ginger and Hibiscus Tea

• 2 parts ginger
• 1 part hibiscus
• 1/2 part cranberries (if you want some extra tart)
• honey to taste (for some sweet)

If you use dried cranberries check to see if they added sugar before you add honey.  Combine all the items in a jar and use 1 to 2 teaspoons for 1 cup of hot water.  Great served hot or iced.

lavender

Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Herbal teas calm and relax the mind, relieving stress and anxiety. Since it calms the mind, drinking herbal tea before going to sleep also helps people who suffer from insomnia.

Chamomile is one of the best herbs for sleep and the reduction of stress.  Along with lavender, these two herbs can help with difficulties sleeping and the comforting effect may also act as a mild anti-depressant for some as it stimulates the brain to reduce feelings of depression and stress.

We have several teas to assist in this way.  Nerve Soothing is high in Chamomile, Dreamtime has both chamomile and lavender, and Calming Spirit gives the relaxation of lavender, mint and chamomile.

Anti-anxiety Herbal Tea Blend

• 2 tablespoons dried lemon balm
• 2 tablespoons dried rose hips, cut & sifted
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
• 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender

Combine materials and store in a lidded jar or tin. For a single serving hot cup of tea, place 1 tablespoon of the tea blend into a tea ball or bag. Add the filled tea ball or bag and fill with 1 cup (8 fl oz) hot water. Cover & let steep for 8-10 minutes, then enjoy! (Sweeten if desired!)

 

Introducing a new Tea Blend - Fruit Infusion

Today we will be at the Elmhurst Garden Walk and Faire 9 AM to 4 PM.  Please stop by and see us.  One of the items we are debuting this summer is a tea made with fruit and herbs,  It is a departure for me to make a tea with fruit, but I found an organic supplier of the items to make it and felt it was finally time to combine my fresh dried herbs with some fruit to make an entirely different taste.

I named the tea Fruit Infusion as it has a combination of different fruits and herbs and it contains: blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, and pear along with hibiscus, chamomile, blackberry leaf, borage, lemon and orange peel.

When brewed it is a lovely shade of pinkish/red with a flavor that tastes of  berries and with hints of apple and citrus.Goji berries and blueberries are super fruits that are high in antioxidants and other wonderful flavonoids that boost immunity, reverser aging and many other beneficial attributes. Blackberry leaf and borage are high in vitamins A & C and anti-inflammatory herbs that can help with management of arthritis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

Today in Elmhurst we will have zip seal bags of this brand new blend for the discounted price of  $4.00 or you can buy them on the website with this link.

And if you stop at the booth we will be sampling the perfect Summer iced tea, that I made last year. It contains lemon grass, hibiscus, lavender, rose hips, orange peel and some cooling peppermint. We title this one Summer Surprise and it is getting rave reviews across several states!

Egg Decorating with Herbs - Natural Egg Dyes How Tuesday (early)

Many herbs and spices also contain fun colors, so you can create lovely shades with items you probably already have on hand. Below is a list of possibilities. Feel free to branch out, and try any other herbs you have in your pantry.

·         Turmeric (brownish orange)

·         Coffee

·         Nettle or mints (tan green)

·         Calendula (tan yellow)

·         Hibiscus (makes blue gray dye)

·         Onion skins (purple)

·         Black tea

·         Elderberries (purple)

Try a tablespoon of herb/spice material, a teaspoon of vinegar (which works as a fixative to help the eggshells take color) and enough hot water to fill a pint jar. I heat the water in a tea kettle and pour it into the jars. Use caution when pouring hot water if children are nearby, and allow it to cool slightly before allowing children to work with the dyes.

I put it all in wide mouth canning jars which gave room for the egg scooper to be used to life the eggs out of the dye.

Let eggs soak in the dye mixture for 10 minutes or longer, even several hours, depending on desired shade (and patience). Natural dyes often give softer, earthier hues than conventional dyes.

Hibiscus creating blue gray dye on three different eggs three different ways

Do not leave them in overnight or the vinegar will soften the egg shell - yes I did do that!

There are a variety of ways you can decorate your eggs beyond simply dyeing them solid colors. Try these ideas for adding more variation and creativity to the eggs!

1. Wrap eggs in rubber bands - everywhere the band hugs the egg, there will be no dye, giving cool patterns.

2. Use a white crayon or a corner of a slab of paraffin wax to make a design.  Where the is wax there is no dye. (You can see my "L" in the large picture above.)

3. Wipe the color off the egg when it is wet and you get a painted farmhouse style egg (see hibiscus dye above)

light leaf pattern

4. My fave use a nylon to hold a plant leaf against the egg and when you remove the nylon the leaf pattern will be undyed.

The texture of the leaf is visible in the right egg, so cool! These were dyed with rose petals giving a pinkish brown.

Advent How to - Scented Pine Cones

For 2014 we have decided a two fold Advent Calendar.  On the Backyard Patch Facebook Page we are posting a recipe a day beginning November 30 and continuing through Christmas Day.  Each week will be a different theme.  This week it is appetizers.  Stop over there around 6 pm everyday for the new recipe.

On the Blog we have decided to share a weekly HOW TO.  Each we will have a recipe, gift or decorating item to enhance you holiday and give you a moment to reflect.

Taken in Wisconsin, beautiful Hore Frost

I first shared this recipe in November 2010 on my blog. This year I mentioned that I wanted to make these as gifts and that I needed pine cones and suddenly people are sharing pine cones with me left and right.  I am loving it and made my first batch of scented pine cones last week. I have placed them in a bowl in my entry hallway and what a wonderful scent they have!

Before you make this recipe, I should warn you that if you collect pine cones outside there is a treatment you need to do before you can scent them.  It is quick and easy, but a must!  Place a sheet of parchment on an old cookie sheet.  Spread the cones over the sheet in a single layer and place in a 200 degree oven for 60 minutes. This will remove much of the pitch and all of the bugs.

Once you craft these they can be placed in a trifle bowl and used as a centerpiece. They also look great stacked in a basket on the mantle.  From there you can even toss them into the fire for a crackle and scent.  I have also placed them in a burlap bag just to give off the scent from under my tree.  This is especially good if your cones are less attractive or have broken and smashed side.  Then I know I am going to do this, I do not even worry about collecting "only the good ones!"

So let's get to the task.  Once you have baked the pine cones you are ready to mix.

I let the cones cool thoroughly, leaving them on the parchment paper which allows the pitch to continue dripping out.

Step One - Cool the cones completely.  

Notice how they open up after being in the oven enhancing their attractiveness.

Step Two -   Mix the essential oils with orris root or arrowroot flour in a jar, shaking well to blend. Set aside. I used a bit of clove, rosemary, clove and sweet orange (about 5 drops each) and those called for in the recipe.

Step Three - Combine the herbs and spices in a zip lock bag.

Step Four - Add the pine comes to the bag.  About 10 to 15 depending on size, but I generally fill the bag.

Step Five - Add the scented powder to the bag and shake vigorously.

Step Six - Using as much patience as possible, allow the pine cones to meld in the bag for a week or so.

Step Seven - Decorate with them, hang them on your door wreath, or wrap them in cellophane to give as gifts, especially to those you know with a fireplace.

Scented Pine Cones

      2 Tbls. orange peel

      1 Tbls. cinnamon pieces

      1 Tbls. Hibiscus flowers

      1 tsp. broken bay leaves

      1 1 /2 Tbls. orrris root

      10 drops cinnamon oil

      10 drops bergamot oil

      10 to 15 drops any other spice oils of your choice

      10 to 15 pine cones

Mix together the essential oils with the orris root (use arrowroot flour if you are sensitive to orris.)  Blend the herbs and spices together with the pine cones in a zip seal bag.  Add the scented powder and shake to cover.  Allow to meld as long as a week in the bag before using.

Enjoy the scents of the season and have fun this winter!

Come back next Monday for another Advent How TO!