Many of our favorite herbal teas are more than tasty. They actually have benefits to our health. The exciting news as we move into spring is that we are able to plant the herbs in our own gardens to enjoy fresh tea from home. In the spirit of em acing our inner green witch, we can take the path of the naturalist, the herbalist and the healer as we reach for a homegrown herbal tea. Many health benefits have research behind them. For instance, hibiscus may lower blood pressure, peppermint may relieve a headache and basil may open the sinuses, allowing easier breathing.
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These are a few herbs and their potential health benefits that may not be as widely known:
Basil: mental focus
Dandelion: cleansing
Marshmallow Root: digestive relief
Rose: relaxing
Rosemary: focus
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Here are some tea recipes to make at home with herbs grown easily in the backyard. Organic herbs are also readily available in stores, online or through a local co-op or farmers’ market. Use either fresh or dried herbs in tea; adjust quantities to taste when using dried as flavors may be more concentrated. Adjust the ingredient quantity based on the number of servings.
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Digestive Tea
1 part peppermint
1 part basil
1 part dill seed
1 cup boiling water
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Steep 7 to 10 minutes, strain and enjoy.
Mental Focus Tea
1 part rosemary
½ part spearmint
1 cup boiling water
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Steep 5 to 7 minutes, strain and drink.
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Hibiscus Rose Latte
1 cup coconut mil
1 hibiscus tea bag or leaves of plant
2 tsp rose water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp organic rose petals
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Bring coconut milk to a light boil in a pan, and then steep the hibiscus tea in the coconut milk for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove hibiscus. Blend with the rest of the ingredients except rose petals in a blender or with a frother. Sprinkle with rose petals. Enjoy.
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Recipes courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, GF MomCertified. Connect on social media @gfmomcertified.
