Medicinal Recipe: Tension Infused Herbal Tea

 If you are having problems with tension or stress, try this herbal tea:

Tension-ease Infusion
1 part skullcap
1 part sage
1 part peppermint
1/4 part lavender

Infuse 1 – 3 tsp of the above blend of dried herbs (or 1-3 tbsp. fresh herbs) per one cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes minimum. A longer infusion results in a stronger tasting brew with more medicinal effect, but the weaker infusion is perfectly fine & therapeutic. Feel free to add honey, lemon, and/or stevia to taste.

For additional information, see: references and warnings

Medicinal Recipe: Sage Tea

Sage tea will calm your frazzled nerves, provide relief to aching gums, help heal a sore throat -- and it even offers a reliable reprieve from hot flashes. Making the tea is easy:

Sage Tea Recipe

Pour eight ounces of boiling water over ten large, fresh, sage leaves (or a heaping teaspoon of dried sage). Steep for five minutes and strain.

Sage tea may taste bitter. Sweeten it with sugar, honey, or home grown stevia. You can also combine sage with a favorite black tea (Earl Grey or English Breakfast, etc.).

Note: Avoid using sage tea medicinally if you're pregnant.

For additional information, see: references and warnings

Great Summer Drinks...or how to pretend it's still summer :)

Here are a few delicious options for some fun drinks to make with all those herbs you have been dying to use:

*Summer Punch*

(1)1/2 gallon lemonade or limeade 

(2)1 large can pineapple juice 

(3) About 3 large handfuls of pineapple sage, lemon balm, lemon verbena, or mint leaves 

(4) 2 bottles of champagne or ginger ale 

(5) 2 lemons, sliced thin 

(6) 1 lime, sliced thin 

(7) Pineapple chunks, optional 

(8) Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours, use chilled beverages 

(9) When ready to serve, squeeze out the herbs and remove them. Pour in ginger ale or champagne just before serving.

*Iced Lemon Balm Tea*

(1) 8 cups of water 

(2) 15 orange pekoe tea bags 

(3) 3 (5 inch long) sprigs fresh lemon balm 

(4) 1 cup sugar 

(5) Juice of 1 lemon 

(6) Ice 

(7) In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags and lemon balm. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and lemon balm and discard. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add lemon juice. Chill for at least 1 hour. To serve, pour lemon tea over a tall glass of ice.

*Sweet Harvest Tea*

(1) ¼ cup loosely packed fresh lemon balm 

(2) ¼ loosely packed fresh peppermint leaves 

(3) 1 tsp. fresh or dried lavender blossoms 

(4) 3 inch slice of orange peel 

(5) 2 cups water 

(6) Place herbs and orange peel in a large teapot. In a small saucepan, heat water to almost boiling and pour over herbs in teapot. Cover teapot and let mixture steep for 10 minutes. Pour through a strainer to serve.

Sage

Name: Sage (Salvia officinalis)


Description:
*One of the best known culinary herbs
*An evergreen plant: leaves can be taken all year long if covered with a frost cloth in the winter
*best in zones 4-8
*there are many fun flavors of sage today, including pineapple sage, honey melon sage, and peach sage
*a moth repellent: place the dried herb in moth places

Parts Used:
*leaves and flowers, fresh or dried

Position:
*full sun
*well drained soil
*it does not make a good indoor plant
*it can be happy in containers (esp. pineapple sage)

Propagation:
*Sage can be propagated by seed. Use the cold stratification technique before planting seeds for best results
*Sage can be propagated by tip cuttings or division as well

Pineapple Sage

Maintenance:
*gentle pruning or pinching back, esp. after flowering, helps plant
*do not heavily fertilize this plant
*if you have sudden wilting, it is likely that there is poor drainage and thus root rot
*avoid pruning in the fall
*the plant becomes woody after 4-5 years and should be replanted

Harvesting:
*harvest fresh leaves and flowers for culinary use at any time
*dry leaves and sprigs before flowering by spreading them out in a well-aired place, then store in an airtight container
*the aroma/flavor of sage intensifies if it is dried
*drying can be difficult if done improperly: it becomes a horrible tasting, musty leaf: if in doubt, use it fresh

Medicinal:
*it is an anti-inflammatory remedy
*if used as a mouthwash and gargle, it is good for sore throats and mouth infections
*it has a drying effect on excessive sweating and is a popular herb to treat night sweats associated with menopause
*it has a beneficial effect on the mind by improving memory, concentration, and mood
*it gives vitality after long illnesses
*it is good for the digestion when used in cooking foods

Cooking:
*it goes well with starchy, rich foods such as duck, poultry, pork, red meats, beans, eggplant, tomato-based sauces, casseroles, soups, and stuffing

For more information, see: references and warnings

Saliva officinalis