Monthly Tea Ideas for June - sleep and digestion

If there’s one good thing you can do for yourself in a day, it’s taking five minutes out to make a cup tea and have a moment of calm. Herbal tea remedies can provide amazing healing properties when the right herbs are combined together. Even the act of making a cup of tea is a mindful process in itself!

The purest way to reap these benefits is to make your own herbal teas at home - which is way easier than it sounds. If you do not have these herbs, then try some of our Backyard Patch tea blends.

What you need:

• A tea pot
• A glass jar to keep your mixture in
• Tea strainer or unbleached empty tea bags
• dried herbs, preferably organic

Tea to aid sleep

• 3 parts dried chamomile flowers - these have a calming element and natural sedative properties.
• 3 parts dried lavender flowers - these have a calming scent that is soothing and promotes relaxation.
• 1 part dried passionflower - soothes the mind, calming brain activity, also a natural sedative
• 1/2 part dried valerian root - this helps calm the nerves and promote a peaceful sleep, it also has natural sedative properties.

Measure out your herbs in a bowl. Mix herbs together, then transfer to jar. 3. If making in a pot scoop 2 tablespoons of mix into teapot and pour over boiled water, set aside and let steep for 5-10mins, then strain through into cup, sit back and enjoy.

For a tea bag cut your ingredients down to 1 Tbls and add the measured ingredients to a tea bag, place in cup and pour over boiled water, allowing to steep for 5 minutes before drinking.

Tea to aid digestion

This tea has a serious licorice flavor, but with the addition of ginger, you cut the sweetness and up the healthy benefits for an upset stomach.

• 3 parts dried fennel seed - aids digestion by helping to increase the production of gastric juices to get digestion started properly.
• 2 parts licorice root - helps the liver neutralize toxins and is anti-inflammatory
• fresh ginger root, sliced - this is highly anti-inflammatory, helps in digestion and reduces gas; easing bloating and burping. Keep ginger separate and add in fresh slice ginger when making tea pot

Measure out your dry herbs into a bowl. Mix together, then transfer to jar (except fresh ginger, slice this fresh as it provides more flavor.) 

If making in a pot scoop two tablespoons of mix into teapot, add two coins of ginger root to the pot and pour over boiled water, set aside and let steep for 5-10mins, then strain through into cup, sit back and enjoy.

For a tea bag use a single coin of ginger root with 1 teaspoon of herbs in a tea bag. Place in cup and pour over boiled water, allowing to steep for 5 minutes before drinking. 

Making a cocktail or root beer with Anise and Licorice December recipe theme

The theme for December is Celebration!

I want to celebrate making fun decorations, handmade gifts, and celebrating with friends.  The recipe theme this month is Mocktails, so I will share several fun drinks you can enjoy without worrying about driving.

I chose this as the first Mocktail, because the ingredients are so perfectly seasonal.  Star anise, licorice root and vanilla bean are combined to create the perfect root beer in this Anise Licorice Root Beer recipe. To make a root beer from this simple syrup recipe you need to carbonate the syrup.  You accomplish that one of three ways.  Add the syrup to seltzer water, use the syrup in your “soda stream” or allow it to naturally carbonate by adding yeast to the syrup.  Depending on your skill level, you can try one or all three of these methods.

But first you need to create the simple syrup. This recipe is excerpted from Homemade Soda (Storey Publishing, 2011) by Andrew Schloss.

Anise Licorice Root Beer 

Star anise, the dried star-shaped fruit of an Asian evergreen, is pungent with the aroma of licorice and hints of clove and cinnamon. Together, star anise and licorice root create a flavor so full-bodied and powerful that just a few ounces will flavor a whole barrel of root beer. According to Andrew Schloss “In this aromatic soda I have amended the licorice-anise partnership with vanilla bean for its floral top notes, clove for depth, and brown sugar for mellowness.”

Anise Licorice Syrup

Enough for 1 gallon brewed root beer 

4 1/2 cups water 
4 ounces dried licorice root, chopped
4 star anise
3 cloves
1 vanilla bean, cut into three pieces 

4 cups dark brown sugar 

Combine the water, licorice, star anise, cloves, and vanilla bean in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally; let simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Gradually add the brown sugar to the simmering syrup, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then remove from the heat, let cool, and strain.  This syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. 

TO MIX WITH SELTZER (1 serving) 

1/2 cup anise licorice syrup 
1 1/2 cups seltzer 

Pour the syrup into a tall glass. Add the seltzer and stir just until blended. Add ice and serve. 

TO CARBONATE WITH A SIPHON (Soda Stream) (3 servings) 

3 cups water 
1 cup anise licorice syrup 

Combine the water and syrup in a 1-quart soda siphon. Charge with CO₂ according to the manufacturer’s directions. Siphon-charged sodas can be stored in the siphon in a refrigerator for up to 5 days. Disperse as desired into tall glasses filled with ice and serve. 

TO BREW ROOTBEER (1 gallon) 

3 quarts lukewarm (80–90 degrees) water 
1 batch anise licorice syrup
1/8 teaspoon champagne yeast (Saccharomyces bayanus) 

Combine the water and syrup in a large container. Test the temperature; the mixture should be at a warm room temperature, from 75 to 80 degrees. (If it is too hot, let it sit until it cools a bit. If it is too cold, warm it over low heat.) Add the yeast and stir until it is completely dissolved. 

Pour the mixture into sanitized plastic bottles using a sanitized kitchen funnel, leaving 1 1/4 inches of air space at the top of each bottle. Seal the bottles. Store for 2 to 4 days at room temperature. When the bottles feel rock hard, the soda is fully carbonated. 

Refrigerate for at least 1 week before serving; drink within 3 weeks to avoid over carbonation. 

Anise Syrup Cocktail - Black Licorice  

Prepare the anise licorice syrup as described, then carbonate as desired. 

Add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Pernod, Sambuca, or other anise-flavored liqueur to 8 ounces (1 cup) Anise Licorice Root Beer (Carbonated Anise Licorice Syrup) and serve over ice. 

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. 

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 Recipe2019 so you can find them all.

The themes are:

Jan 2019 – Chicken and Dumplings (CDumpsJan)

Feb 2019 - Pasta Dishes (PastaFeb)

March 2019 - Edible Flowers (FlowerMar)

April 2019 - Seafood Recipes (SeafoodApr)

May 2019 - Cajun And Creole (C&CMay)

June 2019 - Vegetarian Dishes (VegJun)

July 2019 - Zucchini Recipes (ZucJul)

August 2019 - National Mustard Day – mustard recipes (MustardAug)

September 2019 - Quiche (QuicheSep)

October 2019 - Crock Pot meals (CrockOct)

November 2019 - Pies (PieNov)

December 2019 - Mocktails (MockDec)

Immunity Boosting Herbs

There are numerous herbs which are known, both through traditional knowledge and modern scientific research, to benefit the immune system. Typically, such herbs work by directly attacking and destroying disease-causing pathogens, increasing the numbers and/or activity of immune cells in the body, or both. Here are some powerful immune-boosting herbs, in no particular order.

1.Astragalus

Astragalus was described by Mark Stengler, ND, as "one of the best herbs in the world for enhancing the protective effects of the immune system." This herb boosts immunity by increasing the numbers and/or enhancing the function of various immune cells in the body, including macrophages, natural killer cells, white blood cells and antibodies. It also stimulates the production of interferon, a potent antiviral compound. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, where astragalus is known as Huang Qi, it is used to help prevent common colds and upper respiratory tract infections.  In the US we call it milkvetch and it grows wild in fields, long roads and other places where the soil has been disturbed.  I posted some more details about this plant back in 2012 among the Wild Herbs I found in Wisconsin.

2.Echinacea

Although the taking of powdered echinacea in tablet form was debunked a number of years ago, further study has revealed it does give the immune system a boost by stimulating the immune cells that patrol the body and fight off disease-causing pathogens when extracted into tinctures. This herb raises both the number and activity of white blood cells, a core component of the body's immune system, and activates interferons, which are required for protective immune defense against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumor cells. Echinacea also contains other chemicals which prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, and has even been shown to have anticarcinogenic properties.

One particular study in Germany found that 30 drops of Echinacea tincture taken three times daily helped to enhance the activity of phagocytes, a type of immune cell, in the body by 120% after 5 days of consumption. The direct antiviral properties of Echinacea make it valuable considering the limits of conventional medicine in dealing with viral infections.

I covered some of its other attributes and details of how to grow it and make a tincture from the leaves, flowers and roots in an herb of the week post in 2011

3.Licorice Root

There are two compounds in licorice, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, which research has shown to elevate the levels of interferon in the body. This helps to keep the replication of viruses and other pathogens in check. Licorice root is actually found in many Chinese, Ayurvedic, Japanese and even Western formulas for treating infections and infectious diseases. Licorice lozenges and teas are commonly recommended by my herb friends. I shared a tea recipe back in a blog in 2012 

In Europe, physicians have a high regard for licorice root as one of the best herbal treatments for fighting viral hepatitis. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are treated intravenously using licorice in Europe.

4.Goldenseal

Goldenseal has been found in research to have antiviral and antibacterial properties, as well as the ability to both increase immune cell production and enhance immune cell activity. 

Be aware however this plant is protected, so wild harvesting is generally not allowed in most places.  Instead try to grow a patch of your own (And no, this is not goldenrod or ragweed the plants that grow everywhere!)

Goldenrod (not Goldenseal)

5. Elderberries 

Elderberries are held in high esteem in areas all over the world. Known for their outstanding ability to ward off and cure the common cold and flu virus, elderberries make some of the most effective remedies and should be a part of everyone’s home healing pantry. In fact in a 1996 report researchers who studied elderberries found that they are 99% effective in fighting the Avian Flu (H5N1) virus. (Nutri-ingredients USA) Make a tincture or enjoy a syrup made with this on your pancakes or ice cream.

6.Garlic

Garlic also contains compounds which fight and destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and even cancer cells. For the best health effect, fresh garlic should be chopped or crushed, left for 10-15 minutes, and then eaten raw.  Do not kiss your partner after trying this, however.

7.Ginseng

American Ginseng

Research in Germany found that Siberian ginseng boosts immunity. In particular, the activity of lymphocytes are enhanced, which are immune cells in the body that fight infection. In addition, Chinese ginseng has also been found to give immune function a boost. American ginseng is also known for its healing properties and as a result it has been over harvested.  There are a number of regulations about harvesting this plant so know yours before you gather it yourself.


Sources for this article include:

Stengler, Mark, ND. The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies: Proven Remedies Medical Doctors Don't Know. New York, NY: Prentice Hall Press, 2010. Print.

Murray, Michael, ND., Pizzorno, Joseph, ND., and Pizzorno, Lara, MA, LMT. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York, NY: Atria Books, 2005. Print.

Gaby, Alan R., MD. The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2006. Print.

Haas, Elson M., MD, and Levin, Buck, PhD, RD. Staying Healthy With Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. New York, NY: Celestial Arts, 2006. Print.

Cold and Flu Symptom Teas

As I chugged down another cup of herbal tea trying to soothe the sore throat, cough and congestion I have been fighting with for a week now, I thought what a wonderful idea for a thoughtful gift for someone suffering the same way, but to make them herbal tea. 

Now I have hundreds (that is not an exaggeration) of tea infusers, but many people I know do not.  That was when I stumbled across this great idea.  I found it on Dinah’s Gourmet Gifts.

Cheese cloth tea sachets.  Here are her instructions: 

• Place a small square of double ply cheese cloth on a flat surface.
• mound herbal tea blend on one end 
• tightly roll up the cheese cloth  “sushi style” 
• bring the open ends to the center of the “sushi roll” 
• tightly bind in pretty cotton embroidery thread

She even suggested a cardstock label with the ingredients and the healing properties of the herbs included.

This was so cute a picture in my head, when she said you could put them in a glass jar or a cellophane bag, I thought "hey why not a cute tea mug or tea cup…"

Then I realized I was using three different tea blends at home as a remedy for my ills and I could share those with you and you can make tea sachets for yourself or those you care about who are under the weather.

I received this as a gift when I was the volunteer, volunteer coordinator for the PBS station in Indianapolis.  I loved that position and this has become my favorite mug, especially when I am ill!

Soothing Tea

1 part mint

1 part hyssop

1 part oregano

1 part parsley

1 part lemon balm

Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Remember you are feeling ill so pamper yourself.

Floral Flu Symptom Tea

2 parts Calendula

1 part Feverfew

1 part Lavender

1 part lemon balm

Blend the herbs together, then use 2 tsp per cup of just off boiling water and steep for 7 to 10 minutes.  Sweeten with honey if needed.

Bronchial Congestion Tea

1 ½ oz Aniseed

1 oz Calendula flowers

3/4 oz Marshmallow root

1/3 oz Licorice root

Crush aniseeds and add to herbs. Pour 1 cup just off boiling water over 1 tsp. mixture and steep 10 minutes.

I have also been drinking From the Hearth Tea from the Essential Herbal which I recommend as well, it has holy basil, rose hips, lemon grass, and other strengthening herbs.  

Blends from the Backyard Patch that are popular for winter colds include: Winter Remedy, Cure All, Headache Relief, and Work cure.  This last blend has a bit of cayenne which clears the head and makes it easier to stay alert at work.  You can check out all the Herbal Tea with this link.