Depression

Depression is a serious problem for many people today. There are some herbal teas that should help bring cheer to the depressed. However, please note that depression is best cured in combination with doctors, exercise, etc.

Here are some combinations of herbs to make the best herbal teas for depression:

*lavender flower infusion, taken 3 times a day
*lavender and rosemary infusion, taken 3 times a day
*any combination of lavender, rosemary, and skullcap, 3 times a day
*vervain, taken 3 times a day
*vervain and skullcap, taken 3 times a day

Herbal tea infusion:
*Use 1-3 tsp. of dired herb or 1-3 tbsp. fresh herb per 1 cup boiling water. Let it steep for 20-30 minutes, strain and sip slowly.

For additional information, see: references and warnings

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

Headache Herbal Teas

Headaches are a huge problem for me. I have almost daily headaches and they often alter my lifestyle and my daily living in a negative way. I went to a doctor about my constant headaches. Some X-rays, MRI's, blood tests, etc., later, they discovered no serious reasons why I get headaches and simply put me on some pills. These pills had terrible side-effects such as mood swings, irritability, fatigue, etc. I am trying to get myself off of the pills and instead, I am going to try most of these Headache Herbal Teas to find the right recipe to help me have a Life again. These herbal teas don't have side effects and they are way healthier for me than mystery pills filled with who-knows-what.

Ramblings aside, here are a few Headache Herbal Tea recipes:


Headache Tea #1
*3 parts chamomile
*3 parts lemon balm
*1 part passion flower
*1 part skullcap

Slowly boil water, pour over the herbs and let it steep for 20-ish minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 cup every hour until the symptoms subside. 1-3 tbsp. fresh herbs OR 1-3 tsp. dried herbs per cup of water.


Headache Tea #2
*2 parts lemon balm
*2 parts skullcap
*1 part chamomile
*1 part feverfew

Slowly boil water, pour over the herbs and let it steep for 20-ish minutes. Strain and drink 1/4 cup every 30 minutes until the symptoms subside.  1-3 tbsp. fresh herbs OR 1-3 tsp. dried herbs per cup of water.


Headache Tea #3
*2 parts lemon balm
*1 part feverfew
*1 part lavender

Slowly boil water, pour over the herbs and let it steep for 20-ish minutes. Strain and drink 1/4 cup every 30 minutes until the symptoms subside.  1-3 tbsp. fresh herbs OR 1-3 tsp. dried herbs per cup of water. This one is particularly good if you also have a hot bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil added to it.


Migraine/Headache Tea #4
*1 part feverfew
*1 part lavender

This tea is good for those really bad headaches AKA migraines.  Slowly boil water, pour over the herbs and let it steep for 20-ish minutes. Strain and drink 1/4 cup every 30 minutes until the symptoms subside.  1-3 tbsp. fresh herbs OR 1-3 tsp. dried herbs per cup of water.


For additional information, see: references and warnings

Skullcap

Name:
*Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)


Description:
*hardy perennial
*best in zones 4-8
*more than one species, but S. lateriflora is the best medicinal plant

Parts Used:
*flowering aerial parts, preferably fresh
*one reference said you can dry the aerial parts for medicinal purposes, another reference said to use only fresh...must find out more about this...

Position:
*well-drained and moist soil
*full sun to light shade

Propagation:
*propagate from seed: do cold stratification for at least 1 week, then sow seeds in seed trays/flats indoors under gentle heat in late winter. Transplant outdoors after all dangers of frost. It may take seeds a while before germination occurs
*you can also propagate from dividing roots in early spring
*you can also propagate from root cuttings taken in the spring

Maintenance:
*do moderate watering: its' natural habitat is in places with moist springs
*keep well weeded

Harvesting:
*harvest when in full flower by cutting plant to 3 inches above the ground
*as previously mentioned, one source said you can dry the flowering aerial parts, another source said to use fresh...

Medicinal:
*excellent remedy for anxiety, , stress, nervousness, depression, insomnia, headaches, and hysteria

For additional information, see: references and warnings