Elderflower Tea

"They made a lot of chamomile tea, which they drunk to ward off the cold, to calm the nerves, and as a general tonic. A large jug of this preparation was Alway and stood ready for heat after deliveries. The horehound has been used with honey in preparation to take for sore throats and chest colds. mint tea was a luxury rather than a drug, it has been introduced during special occasions and drinking glasses of wine ... "Flora Thompson - Lark Rise to Candleford.

Herbal teas have been drunk for centuries - both for medicinal and culinary - after all, our cup of tea ol common [black tea, which came from the] Far East a plant is infused in water. Herbal teas can be made from a single plant, or can be mixed with a number of different herbs to produce a range of attractive flavors.
So you tried herbal teas, supermarket bags .... and have not been impressed so far .... Try using loose dried herbs, preferably organic, or fresh herbs [you'll need to double the amount of plant used in case of use] costs and discover a myriad of new products and herbal drinks.

How to make a tea: To make a delicious herbal tea simply place a teaspoon of [dried herbs or herbs if using a mixture of herbs] in a teapot, coffee machine, or should loose tea holder and pour over freshly boiled water. Infuse covered for 5 minutes or so [hard roots and herbs may need to infuse more], strain and serve. If you make tea for more than one person, add more dried herbs as you would with loose tea or teabags. For breaststroke medicines you may need to double the amount of herbs and let steep longer - usually at least 5-10 minutes.
There are many ways you can sweeten your tea - why not try honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, or a shot of apple juice, dried orange or lemon peel, a clove, bruised [especially effective when a cold or sore threat - pods are wonderfully] antiseptic or add a stick of licorice or cinnamon.

Not all herbs are suitable for tea - Feverfew is so strong that it is inappropriate for infusions - while others, although satisfactory, should be consumed in small quantities, such as Yarrow. Others, such as chamomile, can be safely consumed in quantities of 5 or 6 cups a day. Obviously poisonous plants should be avoided completely, and your health and medicines that you use must be taken into account - Rosemary and Sage, for example, should not be taken by epileptics, people with high blood pressure, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding; Valerian root should not be combined with drugs and sleeping pills hops should be avoided by those suffering from depression. Always check all the herbs you think about the use, if in doubt ask your doctor or health professional - and remember that even the safest herbs should, like most things in life be taken in moderation.

Ready for that cup of tea yet? Here is a small selection of teas to tempt you ....

Balm Balm or Tea - A delicious tea flavored with lemon, refreshing and soothing, and a tonic for body and mind. Soothing for stomach pains and spasms, particularly those related to emotional stress or worry. A cup of tea balm calm palpitations and is a soothing remedy "butterflies" and nerves. It is also a soft grass, suitable for children, where it can be used to calm anxious or nervous children and soothes headaches. Balm is also a useful remedy for chickenpox and shingles - not only as a tea, but also as a wash to soothe irritated or inflamed.

Blackcurrant Tea - A tea refreshing acidity counters and cleans the system. Dried Blackcurrant leaves should be soaked for an hour or two in cold water before making an infusion, they will also infuse.