Kettle and Cup

For Earth Day:Grow Your Own Herbal Tea!

by Marye on April 10th, 2008

Jennifer and Peggy at Treehugging Family are focusing on Earth Day at b5 all month.

Some of the big environmental issues facing consumers today is greenhouse gas, carbon footprints the size of the Jolly Green Giant, and socio-ethical issues concerning working conditions and Fair Trade for farmers and workers. It can be overwhelming to try to juggle everyone’s needs when you just want a cup of something hot and relaxing!

So, did you ever think about growing your own herbal tea blends? Herbs grow prolifically almost anywhere, do well on windowsills, and in containers, and are easy to transform from fragrant green leaves and colored flowers to a steaming cup of yum.

Basically, you need to choose your herbs, follow planting directions and remember to water them once in awhile. Pick the leaves and blend them, then steep as you would any loose leaf tea. Sweeten with some honey…add dried fruit…it is up to you where you go with this.

Dry herbs by hanging upside down, or in a dehydrator. Store in airtight glass jars, in a cool, dark place.

Not only will you be keeping your carbon footprint more on the line of a Japanese Princess, but you will be beautifying your own environment, and doing something to move toward your own self sufficiency. That is always a good feeling.

Basically to make herbal tea from fresh herbs-use two or three springs of the herb in a teapot. Pour boiling water over and steep a few minutes.

For dried herbs, use a teaspoon of dried herbs per cup. Steep about two minutes.

Of course, you will want to use the trial and error method here and adjust to fit your own taste and herbal needs.

Here are some great combinations for you to try:

• Lavender flowers, lemon balm, chamomile
• Mint, lemon balm, chamomile
• Lemon verbena, dried orange, mint
• Lemon balm, crystallized ginger
• Chamomile, dried apple,dried cranberry, cloves
• Chamomile, lemongrass, peppermint, dried orange
• Lavender, dried strawberry, raspberry leaf
• Grow and add stevia to any tea for natural sweetness. Add very sparingly!

There are many others, such as fennel, anise, and sage…the various flavored basils..that will make good teas. Just check out some of the heirloom seed catalogs for ideas. My personal favorite for heirloom seeds, especially for unusual types of herbs and vegetables is Heirloom Seeds. This company is dedicated to maintaining the old varieties of vegetables,herbs, and flowers.

Whether you get really serious about this, or make a few teas for fun now and then, growing herbs for tea can be a great family project.

Image: Morguefile.com

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POSTED IN: Eco-Friendly, Recipes, Tea