Tea Pedia

“Herb of St. John”, “Grass bites”, “devil-hunting”, “false flax”, “grass of a hundred holes”, “toadflax”, the plant comes in many identities. For English speakers, it is, of course, Yellow Rattle Tea,  “St. John’s wort”, but also “Wonder or Grace of God” (Gods’ Wonder plant, Grace of God). This shows the respect they have for it.

The Latin name Hypericum comes from the Greek hyper eikona “who hunts ghosts.” The names hypericum perforatum (“openings” meaning hole) reflect the appearance of perforated sheets. Indeed, if viewed against the light, we observe that they seem carved from a large number of small holes. There are actually little pockets filled with resin and a volatile oil.

In the middle Ages, the scientists had given him the name of Fuga doemonium (devil-hunting), because they gave it the authority to expel evil spirits and witches. It is fascinating especially because there it was not that long ago the fact that it was discovered that the plant has antidepressant properties. However, for the medieval belief, depression and other mental disorders were considered forms of demonic possession.

Harvest and Preparation

We usually harvest the top half of the plant when the flowers are just beginning to open. It is cut finely and dried, according to the same principle: an insect screen mounted on a frame, away from light and moisture, or in an oven set at very low temperature, door ajar, for 4 to 6 hours. With ground ivy and elecampane, this fall you will prepare an excellent herbal tea against bronchitis. So remember to stock up!

The infusion is prepared at 15 g to 30 g of flower heads for a liter of water. It takes 3 or 4 cups a day.
For topical treatments, it was found that the best ways to extract the active ingredients of St. John’s wort was the macerate in the oil. It also gives the company an extraordinary red color reminiscent of those blazing suns for June day. That’s where we understand why English speakers also gave him the name “terrestrial sun”.

I like this tea and I drink it when I have a bad mood.

I personally put a teaspoon of herb in 500ml water, let to infuse 8-10 minutes, then slip in and pour in a cup. And enjoy it

Interesting Facts about St. John’s wort Tea

At the crossroads of two great cycles – and the circadian solstice – St. John’s wort evokes the great magic of the world. Indeed, it dominates the summer solstice, which marks the beginning of the descent to the long winter darkness. In addition, richer in melatonin – a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in biological rhythms – all other known plant, it gives, the psyche harmonizes with the alternation of day and night. Plant broad daylight, yet it is the peacemaker of the night. Plant of the heart of summer, yet it is the ultimate ally in winter, when seasonal depression strikes the mind more susceptible to large fluctuations in the annual cycle.

Among the wild plants that come around population centers, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), sometimes mixed with nettles, tossed in, can go unnoticed if some species, then, reveal their secret breath (or lack thereof) at the crease, Melissa is not a stingy smell that delicious, even for a non-botanist, is an immediate sign of recognition: all the plant exhales a very pleasant fragrance of lemon sweet and heady, which earned it his name: lemongrass.

This is a perennial herb growing usually in small stands with stems 30-90 cm, erect, branched, slightly hairy, and very leafy. Leaves, opposite, stalked, ovate to 3-7 cm, broadly toothed, often eye-catching with their bright green. The flowers are small 0.0 to 1, 5 cm, white, sometimes pinkish, are in whorls of 4-12 in the axils of upper leaves. The corolla tube curved back and dilated at the top, above a chalice to 13 ribs and two lips, more than 3 teeth, flattened-concave feature, less than two teeth (all teeth very acute).

The Lemon Balm, very anciently introduced in West Asia, is found at home and naturalized here and there around houses, villages, ruins, in the hedges, the base of slopes and walls, sometimes in the vineyards. These particular stations, which facilitate the search, are the remains of ancient cultures for medicinal use.

Lemon balm is an excellent remedy for the nerves, easing tension and anxiety, bringing you good mood when you’re tired. Its relaxing effects make it a good remedy for headaches and migraines. Consumed regularly, lemon balm is very good for digestive problems associated with stress, such as decreased appetite, nausea, colic, colitis and gastritis, and an infusion may relieve mild abdominal psychogenic disorders in children.

Harvest
When harvesting it, they have to gather all aerial parts of Melissa in early bloom, the morning after the dew dissipation of June (around Midsummer) in mid-August, depending on the region. Dried in the shade, in clusters or tight little garlands suspended and the plant must not yellow or darken but retain flexibility after drying, odor intact (crease) and good flavor. She can keep it as is in strong paper bags, well closed or broken, in cans or jars. No need to renew the supply each year.

To prepare the lemon balm tea is needed:

• 1 tablespoon lemon balm leaves (can be dried or fresh)
• 300 cubic centimeters of water.

The mode of preparation is to pour a tablespoon of lemon balm leaves in boiling water and let stand for several minutes (7-10 minutes). You can add a little sugar or honey to sweeten.

Rosa Canina is also known as dog rose or wild rose; they are the fruits of the rose coming from the plant seeds. These plants have one of the richest vitamin C sources, per 10 grams of dried leaves or hips, there are 170-200 milligrams of vitamin C.

Taking into account that the minimum daily requirement of vitamin D to maintain our immune system in good condition is of approximately 60 milligrams, would then be well covered with a cup of Dog Rose Tea. In addition, the rose hips contain good amount of vitamin D, vitamin E, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids, antioxidant value is even higher than the one contained by the blueberries.

In powder form, the hips also serve as a natural remedy to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This wonderful and powerful botanical discovery can also be used as a preventative remedy for urinary tract infections. Due to the outstanding content of iron, many women drink Do Rose tea in order to replenish iron lost during menstruation. It can also be used to treat constipation.

Due to the huge amounts of vitamin C, this can interfere with certain anticoagulant medications. Therefore, should not use this herb if you are taking anticoagulants. Also, those with sickle cell anemia should not consume this tea.

On the other hand, and after leaving apart these details, we can only make us a good tea.

Dog Rose Tea Recipe

• You will need 1 tablespoon of drying and grinding rose hips for every cup of water
• Boil for 15 minutes.
• Let it sit for awhile, and serve it hot.
• Yes, it is quite simple, but this is one of the main ingredients that can be mixed with other herbs to create your own healthy tea. Don’t be afraid to experience.

You can also perform excellent and rich rose hips canned mixture, but must be taken into account mainly that they must be fresh. Place them in a jar (previously the hips grind), and then pour a little bit of honey until that it covers fully the fruit. Cover the container with a porous fabric to allow the honey to evaporate and thicken, process which will take place a little more than one week. You can do this with many other herbs in their greater taste, but only works if they are fresh. The goodness of herbal extracts and honey complemented with theirs, thus this mixture becomes a wonderfully healthy option spreads the toasts and tasty, or also serves to sweeten tea or tisane.

I like the taste of this tea .

The artichoke tea is an infusion of bitter flavor, with diuretics and depurative properties, which contribute to the good hepatobiliary system functioning, to lose weight and to low the cholesterol, among other benefits for the health.
The artichoke tea is a delicious drink that is very popular in South America and Vietnam. The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is used in the whole history for its medicinal value. The majority of the curative properties that the artichoke has, exist due to its active principle, the cinarina. The cinarina has been studied very much lately for its effects on reducing the cholesterol. Those that appreciate the alternative medicine can tell you the wonders the artichoke tea can do for you. The Artichoke tea has properties that can help you to reduce the levels of cholesterol, they help to attack the cancer due to the antioxidant capacity that it has. It has also an effect of small weight loss that many people enjoy.

The artichoke tea is rich in folic acid, vitamin A1, vitamin B1, vitamin C as well as in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and dietetic fibers. Thanks to all its “ingredients”, it provides the following benefits to us:
• It helps to protect the liver and it’s effective in the treatment of the affections related to this organ. It helps the persons with hepatic insufficiency. Indirectly it improves the recovery of the alcoholism effects.
• It is a diuretic, contains insulin, so it regulates the sugar in the blood. Likewise it is a diuretic being an advisable infusion for the weight loss helping to the decrease of the corporal fat and the urine retention.
• It is a great tranquilizing for the stomach and predisposes to the appetite recovery.
• It allows a rapid recovery when suffering of nauseas, abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea and stomach acidity.
• It helps decreasing the cholesterol level.
• It stimulates the blood circulation.

Artichoke Tea Recipe
Ingredients
• 12 artichoke leaves
• 1 cup of 250 cubic centimeters of boiling water

How to Prepare It:
• Introduce the leaves in the boiling water and leave them there about 10 minutes.
• Seep and drink warmly.
Recommendations:
• Drink it after diner.
• It is possible to combine it with mint to smooth its flavor.

The Sage Tea

The sage has various therapeutic uses because of its medicinal properties. One of the ways of using these properties is consuming tea of sage, since the essential oils, responsible for its properties, are concentrated in the leaves and flowers. The qualities of the Sage are announced by its scientific name: Salvia officinalis, name that seems to derive from the Latin salvare (to cure). The ancients called it herba sacra (saint herb).

This plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, one of the most noble and extensive family plant, that brings together herbs such as oregano, mint, Rosemary, thyme or lavender, each one of them having magnificent properties.

Sage Tea Properties

Sage has hypoglycemic properties, which means that it regulates the blood sugar levels. So, it is totally recommended for the people who have diabetes to consume Sage tea. Sage infusions are useful to treat stomach cramps with presence of diarrhea cases; this is due to the antispasmodic properties possessed by this plant.

The Sage Tea is a good diuretic, offering relief to your stomach and your digestive system. It is also excellent for balancing the menstrual period. It stops the diarrhea and the asthmatic crises.

Its benefits can be also seen in emotional issues. It can stabilize the people who are going through a depression time.

Sage Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

• 25 grams. Of fresh Sage.

• 2 tablespoons of honey.

• 1 1/2 cups of water.

• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.

How to prepare:

• Make an infusion with Sage.

• Sweetens with honey.

• Let stand for 5 minutes.

• Add the lemon juice before drinking.

Recommendations:

• Take 2 cups for a five days period.

• On children, half cup for 3 days is enough.

Enjoy the taste of Sage Tea and each one of its benefic properties!

Sea Buckthorn also known under the scientific name of Hippophae rhamnoides, is a plant with medicinal properties.

Sea Buckthorn is a plant which appeared in Europe and Asia. The Tibetan medicine started to use it many years ago.

Sea Buckthorn contains substances such as flavones and vitamins A, E and C, which act as antioxidants. It has unsaturated fatty acids. All these nutritional principles help to keep a low bad cholesterol or LDL.

How is Sea Buckthorn fighting against the cholesterol?

It has an antioxidant that increases the degradation of fatty tissue, which is derived to the cell for the production of energy. This reduces the synthesis of LDL and VLDL liver level, since its blood concentration decreases. By its content of unsaturated fatty acids, Sea Buckthorn increases the concentration of cholesterol HDL or good cholesterol. This mechanism of action reduces the plaque formation in the inner walls of the arteries, which reduces the possibility of cardiovascular diseases.

Within all medicinal uses that are obtained from this plant, the best is that it is great in maintaining the cardiovascular health. According to various scientific studies was established that the consumption of Sea Buckthorn tea, could improve the health of the heart and the cardiovascular system.

How is Sea Buckthorn improving the health of the heart?

• Sea Buckthorn contains flavones, substances which act on the fat metabolism and cardiovascular health.

• These flavones would improve the HR of the cardiac muscle.

• They strengthen the role of cardiac pump.

• Decreasing the resistance and peripheral elasticity.

How to prepare Sea Buckthorn Tea:

• Place 40 grams of Sea Buckthorn in a liter of water.

• Boil for 30 minutes.

• Let rest for 15 minutes.

• Strain.

• Drink.

How to drink a Sea Buckthorn infusion?

• Drink 3 cups of infusion a day

• One in the morning, another at lunch and the last after dinner.

The Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is widespread in the Mediterranean area – southern Europe and North of the Near East. It belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is an herbaceous annual plant with yellow flowers. Its flowering lasts almost all year, closing at night and opening at dawn.

This plant has been known since antiquity. The name Calendula comes from the Latin calendae, calendar, designating the first day of each month. This name refers practically to the flowering, which occurs every month of the year, even in the winter months, if it is not extremely cold. Just like sunflowers, the Marigold flowers tend to follow the movement of the Sun, which is why this plant is also known under the name solsequium, meaning “following the Sun”.

Collection and preparation: use the flowers that are harvested when they are completely; they should dry out quickly in a ventilated place, although without using artificial heat. Consume the petals, peripherals or even the entire flower, which is the more current home-made remedies.
Active substances: essential oil, calendula – sapogenina, Glycoside, carotinoide, Xanthophylls, bitter principles, mucilage, ferment and organic acids.

Drinking marigold tea you can treat gastric ulcer and infections of mouth and throat and improve digestion by stimulation of bile production and also helps to cure menstrual cramps, liver disease and constipation.
Marigold has also anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.  Marigold is mainly used externally to treat bruises, wounds, eczema, skin disorders, haemorrhoids and burns.

Contraindications and interactions
It should not be used if there is hypersensitivity or allergy to Calendula. It should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding because its effects are unknown. It is not used in open skin and eye irritations. Interactions with other drugs have not been described, although due to the presence of mucilage, there could be a potential risk of delay or decreasing the oral absorption of other active principles.

Marigold Tea Recipe: To prepare Marigold Tea, boil 1 liter of water. Then, put 1 or 2 teaspoons of the plant and allow it to infuse for 10 minutes. Against bile disorders, drink at moderate temperature 2 to 3 cups a day, it is also used in dressings, bandages and compresses.

Geranium robertianum, (Robertiella robertiana) commonly known as Herb Robert, Red Robin, Death come quickly, or (in North America) Robert Geranium, is a common species of cranesbill in Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) is an enigmatic herb with a miraculous action in tumor diseases, managing to halt or even cure some cancers.

Before consuming this tea as a remedy for a disease, please ask your doctor.

Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees, well scented, known also as called lime in Britain and linden or basswood in North America. Tilia is one of the longest trees: can achieve incredible 1,000 years old and can produce up to 100 kg of flowers.

Lime flowers are not only pleasant fragrance, but also have healing powers, especially for respiratory and digestive diseases. Therapeutic virtues of lime were discovered in ancient times. Back then they used mostly bark, leaves and tree sap. Today, however, both herbalists, and cosmetic specialists prefer to use flowers.

I like very much the wonderful flavor and great taste of linden tea.

Often, linden tea is considered to be trivial, because the spread of consumption.

Once, linden was used mainly to treat indigestion, colds and abdominal pain. Modern scientific research has discovered the therapeutic equivalent. Thus, linden flower tea proved a valuable ally in the fight against infectious diseases (colds, flu) – promotes sweating and is therefore useful in controlling fever. It has calming action on the cough, stimulates blood flow, diuresis and gallbladder activity. It is also an effective remedy in headaches, abdominal cramps and fever muscle. In addition, due to sedative effects, is indicated for insomnia, nervousness, intellectual overload.

The best time to harvest flowers is one or two days after rain, or immediately after bloom, during warm weather and sunny, then dried in the shade.

Linden Tea recipes:

• Boil 1/2 liter of water. Then, put 2 teaspoons of linden (lime) flowers. Let it infuse for 8-10 minutes and then filter the content. Put the tea in the cup of tea, let it 1-2 minutes, and enjoy.
• Boil 1/2 liter of water. Then, put 2 teabags on the tea spot. Let it infuse for 8-10 minutes Then, take of the teabags and let the tea to rest 2 minutes, and enjoy.

Sweeten with honey or sugar, as you prefer. You can put 3-4 drops of syrup pears or apple in tea, but I prefer without.

Warning! Do not drink more than three cups of linden tea a day and do not use too concentrated infusions! In dose too high, the flowers of linden tea may have effects on the nervous system stimulants, causing insomnia.

Mentha is a type of 25-30 species of plants from family Lamiaceae, worldwide distributed.

Peppermint tea, also known as mint tea, is the Moroccan traditional drink. It is a tasty tea that gives you a good feeling.

Mint was very popular among Greeks and Romans. Its flavor and medicinal qualities have been appreciated for centuries, being used in many ways.
In many countries mint tea is drunk after eating for the improving of digestion.

Peppermint can be used with success in the gastro-intestinal disorders, liver health and maintaining, indigestion, diarrhea and vomiting. This plant is recommended for food poisoning and has also an antibacterial effect. Also, Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) is a great natural remedy for relieve headaches.

It is recommended to drink peppermint tea after meals to have a pleasant breath and reduce symptoms of indigestion and bloating.

Drinking mint tea is not recommended in chronic constipation and gallstones.

For tea you can use teabags, fresh mint leafs or loose leaf tea.

Mint Tea recipes:

• Boil 1 liter of water. Then, put 3 teabags of mint tea, let it infuse for 10 minutes and then take out the teabags.  Sweeten with honey or sugar, as you prefer.
• Boil 1 liter of water. Then, put some fresh spearmint leaves or loose leaf mint tea, washed and set the tea pot over low heat and simmer the tea for 3 minutes. Let it infuse for 7-10 minutes and take out the mint. Sweeten with honey or sugar, as you prefer.
  If you want mint ice tea you can put 4-5 ice cubes and 2 slices of lemon. Also, you can use few drops of orange juice for flavor.

Traditional Moroccan tea recipe:

Traditional Moroccan tea is made from green tea leaves, mint and a large amount of sugar.
Boil water. Place in kettle of green tea leaves and 2-3 branches of mint and pour hot water over the leaves. Hot water is poured from a distance of 70-80cm, specifically to form a light foam. Then pour sugar into the pot.

Enjoy!