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.

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.

Lemon Spice Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Lemon Balm needs to be harvested again and if you grow it in is often hard to find different ways to use it, but I have many, so check out this link to a search of all the recipes I have posted using Lemon Balm. But for now try this great tea blend with lemon flavors and a hint of clove for a seasonal twist.

Lemon Spice Tea

• 1 cup lemon balm
• 1/2 cup lemongrass, chopped
• 1/2 cup peppermint
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 3 teaspoons slivered lemon peel

Combine herbs and lemon peel in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well.  Enjoy 1 tsp per cup of hot water and steep 5 to 7 minutes.  Color will be light.

If using fresh herbs chop the herbs evenly to a uniform size and use 1 Tablespoon per cup of hot water. Steeping 5 to 7 minutes.  Don't make this as a sun tea, but it is good cold.

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

Razzlemint Tea from Morning Sun Herb Farm - Herb Tea Blend of the Month

I like this recipe as it has rosehips for great vitamin C, lemongrass for germ fighting and raspberry leaf for lots of other ailments. With a strong hot of mint, it is cooling and sweet making it a great tea to enjoy when it is hot or when it is cold.

Razzlemint Tea from Morning Sun Herb Farm (https://morningsunherbfarm.com/)

1 teaspoon dried spearmint

1 teaspoon dried peppermint

1 teaspoon crushed rosehips

 1 teaspoon dried lemongrass

1/2 tsp orange peel

1/2 tsp raspberry leaf

dash of cinnamon

Mix ingredients together well.  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 3 – 5 minutes, preferably in a covered container. 

For iced tea, allow to steep up to 10 minutes, then allow to cool to room temperature and add ice and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Hot Tea for Hot Tea Month - Citrus for Winter Blues Tea

This blend of herbs and citrus will help you beat back the winter blues from the dingy dark days and lack of sun, as well as boost your immunity against the germ fiesta that is happening all around you.  We are sharing information about the Curative Properties of Tea in a Zoom program on January 23, 2024.  Use this link to register and join us: Curative Properties of Tea - Mt. Prospect Library 

Winter Blues Tea

• 1 tsp spearmint
• 1 tsp dried lemongrass
• ½ tsp elderberries
• ½ tsp rose buds
• ½ tsp lavender buds
• ½ tsp chamomile 
• ½ tsp raspberry leaf
• Pinch of orange peel  

Mix ingredients together well.  Store in an airtight container. 

To Brew: 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 3 – 5 minutes, preferably in a covered container.  Great with a squeeze of lemon.

Exfoliating Salt Scrub - Bath Blend of the Month

The low humidity in winter air depletes the moisture in your skin. This leaves the uppermost skin cells without enough moisture to keep them healthy. The result is itching, peeling and scaling of dead skin. First I suggest increasing the humidity in the air of your home. Simmering spices on the stove add moisture and freshen a room with delightful aromatherapy scents. Use a glycerin or olive oil base soap because they have fewer chemicals and are less drying. Next, remove dead skin cells by exfoliating with a textured soap or a salt scrub. Make your own salt scrub with my favorite recipe. Your skin will feel great and be soft and supple!

Exfoliating Salt Scrub 

• 1 cup fine grind sea salt
• 1 cup almond or avocado oil 
• 30 drops lavender essential oil 
• 30 drops lemongrass oil

Combine salt and oil in a bowl, Stir in lavender essential oil for stress relief and lemongrass oil for invigorating the mind. 

TO USE: After bathing while skin is still wet and you are still in the tub, use one tablespoon to gently massage skin. Avoid sensitive areas. Rinse well. Pat dry and lock in moisture with your favorite body lotion. Lavender lotion will effectively heal and moisturize dry winter skin. 

Double Lemongrass White Iced Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

A wonderful iced tea with great antioxidant properties and bold lemon flavor with a nice bit of caffeine,

Double Lemongrass Iced Tea

• Lemongrass Simple Syrup
• stalks of lemongrass
• 8 cups water (cold)
• 8 white tea bags
• Ice cubes

Directions

To prepare the lemongrass simple syrup: Take 6 full stocks of lemongrass with 1 cup of sugar or honey and 1 cup of water.  Bring the water and sugar to a boil stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Crush and chop the lemongrass stalks and add to the water and bring back to a boil.  Remove it from the stove and steep it for about 20 - 30 minutes. Once it's cool, strain the lemongrass syrup into a cup and set aside. 

For the Tea: Take a large saucepan and heat it. Add 8 cups of cold water and bring to a boil with 2 to 4 stalks of lemongrass cut in half length and crosswise.  Remove from heat and allow to steep for 1 hour.  After an hour bring the water to a boil once again. Immediately remove it from the heat and add the 8 white tea bags into the mixture and steep it for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the lemongrass tea and allow everything to cool down until it reaches a room temperature. 

Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until completely chilled. Remove the pitcher from the refrigerator, add ½ cup of lemongrass syrup for sweetness and stir. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemongrass stalk. 

The mixture of two lemongrass recipes gives you a 'double iced lemongrass tea on the rocks!'

DIY Cool Ice Treat For Dogs

There are dog ice treat kits you can buy, but they’re easily do-it-yourself with an ice cream pail, some water, and dog toys. Here’s how…

Fill an ice cream pail 1/3 full with water and place a couple dog toys in it. Freeze. Fill with more water until 2/3 full, add a few treats–freeze. Repeat one more layer like this until you have filled the ice cream pail.

Once everything’s fully frozen, set the pail in a sink full of warm water until you can pop out the big ice block filled with dog treats. Set the dog treat filled ice block out in the yard, and let your dog have at it.

Your puppy might not have a clue what this is all about until you make him one a time or two. As the block melts down and reveals his toys and treats, make sure you spend time acquainting him with it. Once he gets the idea, he’ll be all over it and happily lick away at the ice to get at the treats.

Another way to keep your pup cool in summer is to soak and freeze a bandana and then tie it around the dog's neck and if you add a few insect repelling herbs like lemongrass, pennyroyal and rosemary to the water you use to soak the bandana you can help keep away pests as well.

Doggy Bandana Freeze

Add a few sprigs of pennyroyal, lemongrass and/or rosemary to 2 cups of hot water.  Allow to steep 15 to 30 minutes.  Soak a puppy bandana in the resulting liquid than fold and place in the freezer.  Once frozen tie around the neck of your pooch to help cool the day and repel the bugs.

 

courtesy of animal planet

Lemongrass Essential Insect Repellent Recipes

Lemongrass is the best essential oil to keep away mosquitoes and bugs naturally.  The scent is nice and the effectiveness is great and the aroma is pleasant and not medicinal.  And you get the added bonus of administering lemongrass to the skin where the anti-inflammatory properties will do their work, and you also get some added anti-bacterial action as well.

Here are three recipes you can make at home.  Remember to shake them well before applying them to get the ingredients well blended.  As with any natural remedy, you should patch test the repellent on a small area of your skin before using it all over your body. Also, as essential oils can be strong and cause allergic reactions, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using them.

I would test on a corner of your clothing too; just be certain they will not stain or fade.

Lemongrass Essential Oil Repellents

Lemon Grass, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint Insect Repellent

• 10 drops each of these essential oils:
• lemon grass
• eucalyptus
• peppermint
• 1/4 cup of witch hazel
• 1/4 cup of water

Combine all Ingredients in a ½ cup (4 to 6 ounce) spray bottle. Shake well before use, and spray on skin and clothing as needed.

Lemon Grass and Soy Oil Insect Repellent

• 10 drops of lemongrass oil
• 1/4 cup of soy oil

Mix ingredients together in a small container with a tight-fitting lid. Apply a small amount of the mixture and rub onto exposed skin as needed.

Lemon Grass and Vanilla Insect Repellent

• 10 drops of lemon grass oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of water

Mix ingredients tother in a small spray bottle. Shake well before use, and spray on skin and clothing as needed. Great for mosquitoes and gnats.

 

 

Five herbs to put Spring in your Spring!

Spring is a time for renewal, and herbs can play a big role in refreshing and rejuvenating your body, mind, and home. Here are a few herbs that are perfect for spring:

• Ø  Lemon balm: This herb has a bright, lemony scent and flavor that's perfect for spring. It's also a natural mood booster, making it great for those days when you need a little extra help to shake off the winter blues. Lemon balm can be used in cooking, teas, and as a bath infusion. Add fresh or dried lemon balm to marinades, dressings, and sauces for a lemony flavor boost. Steep fresh or dried leaves in hot water to make a soothing tea.
  
  
  
• Ø  Dandelion: Dandelions are often considered a weed, but they're actually packed with nutrition and have a variety of medicinal properties. The leaves can be used in salads, and the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion tea is a great detoxifying herbal tea and the root is also used as a liver tonic. Use the leaves in salads, or roast the roots to make a coffee substitute. Dandelion tea is a great detoxifying herbal tea and the root is also used as a liver tonic.
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• Ø  Chives: These delicate herbs are one of the first to appear in the spring, and their mild onion flavor makes them a great addition to a variety of dishes. They can be used fresh or dried and are a great source of Vitamin K. Add fresh or dried chives to eggs, soups, and salads for a mild onion flavor.
  
  
  
• Ø  Rosemary: This woody herb is a classic in Mediterranean cuisine and is perfect for spring grilling. It is also good for digestion and improving memory. Use fresh or dried rosemary to flavor meats, vegetables, and breads.
  
  
  
• Ø  Lemon Grass: This tropical herb is a great addition to spring cooking, as it has a fresh, lemony flavor that's perfect for marinades, dressings, and teas. Lemon grass can also be used in bath infusion for a relaxing soak. Use fresh or dried lemon grass in dressings and sauces for a lemony flavor boost. Add a handful of fresh or dried stalks to a muslin bag and let it steep in your bathwater for a relaxing soak.
  
  
  

These herbs can be used in a variety of ways, from cooking and medicine to bath infusions. Try incorporating them into your spring routine for a fresh and rejuvenating experience.

And if you want more info on any of these herbs Check out the Herb A to Z

Bath Melts - Bath Blend of the Month

Enjoy these moisturizing cocoa butter bath melts in a wonderful bath and add some sweet luxury to your day, or make them for your friends for Gal Spa Day. They are made with ingredients so natural that you could eat them. The aroma of cocoa, coconut, and lemon is uplifting and can brighten a gray day in March. These bath wonders are perfect for a pick-me-up-bath, as the silky soft oils melt in the warm water and soak into your skin, leaving it moisturized and soft.

 

I got this recipe through Stephanie Rose at Garden Therapy and added my own twist to it.  Her version used lavender essential oil and flowers, but I like a lemon scent in my bath, so I swapped in my favorite lemon herbs.

 

The main ingredient, Cocoa butter, is hydrating and soothing for your skin. At room temperature it is solid but as you add it to a hot bath it melts and the oil disperses into the water and absorbs into your skin while you soak. An edible fat extracted from the cocoa bean, it smells and tastes like chocolate because it is the main ingredient in chocolate. High in antioxidants it is ideal to use in bath items.  As a moisturizer it is perfect when combined with lemon herbs because lemongrass is known to enhance overall skin texture by cleansing and detoxifying, eliminating excess oil from the skin making it more supple while lemon balm is known to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory with antibacterial qualities. 

 

Coconut oil also becomes liquid at body temperature.  It is smooth and smells of coconut and is so moisturizing that it is often used to treat eczema.  It has the ability to reduce the inflammation caused by sun exposure and can fight bacteria without drying.

 

Lemon and Cocoa Butter Bath Melts (Makes 12 1-ounce bath melts)

·      2 Ounces cocoa butter (measure it by weight to get the best ratio or use 3 1/2 Tablespoons)

·      2 Tablespoons coconut oil

·      20 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil

·      1/2 Tablespoon dried lemon balm

·      1/2 Tablespoon dried lemongrass

·      Silicone soap or ice cube mold to use as a mold

 

Melt the oils in a double boiler over hot water. Stir constantly and keep a watchful eye on the oils. You want them to just reach the melting point and not overheat.

 

Immediately pour into silicone molds. Sprinkle the dried herbs on top of the hot oil, dividing the tablespoon up evenly between the bath melts.

 

Move the silicone mold to the refrigerator to cool for two hours, and you’re done. Store the finished bath melts in the fridge or a cool place if your house is warm so that they don’t melt before you want to use them or gift them.

 

To Use: Pop one or two bath melts into a tub filled with hot water and soak for at least twenty minutes. Although designed for the bath, these melts can also be smoothed on the skin in the shower, just beware of a slippery floor when you rinse the oils off.