'Tis the Season ... For Fresh Herbal Teas!

It's mid June, and things are in bloom here in Bloomington. Flowers are shining their pretty little faces, the bees are a-buzzing, and the trees have fleshed out their canopies, creating beautiful umbrellas of shade under which one might sit and enjoy a cool glass of lemonade. Or perhaps a fresh herbal tea?

Summer is a great time for herbs, which usually like plenty of sun and well-drained soil, and it's also a great time for refreshing drinks!

Not only are most herbs beautiful to look at, delightful to smell, and delicious to taste; they also carry powerful healing benefits. Though most herbal teas you buy at the store are dried, you can also brew with herbs harvested straight from the garden. 

Try harvesting some of these herbs and plants for your sipping pleasure (and for their marvelous healing properties):

1. Mint: Leaves; calming, digestive.
2. Passion Flower: Leaves; relaxing and restful sleep.
3. Rosehips: Buds after bloom has died; vitamin C boost.
4. Lemon Balm: Leaves; calming and relaxing.
5. Chamomile: Buds; relaxing and soothing tummy.
6. Echinacea: Buds; immune support.
7. Milk Thistle: Buds; detoxification.
8. Angelica: Root; digestive support.
9. Catnip: Leaves; calming.
10. Raspberry: Leaf; female reproductive support.
11. Lavender : Buds; calming and soothing.
12. Nettles: Leaf; detoxifying, nourishing.
13. Red Clover; Buds; purifying, detoxifying.
14. Dandelion: Root; liver support; blood tonic.
15. Linden: Flowers; digestive, calming.
16. Lemongrass: Stalk; calming, relaxing, digestive aid.

For more tips on harvesting, drying, and brewing your own herbal concoctions, check out our resources page on the blog.


Thanks to Organic Authority for their handy list of herbs and benefits http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/grow-plants-herbal-tea-garden.html and tp Crafty Cooking Mama for the beautiful image of mint tea http://www.craftycookingmama.com/meadow-tea-pa-dutch-iced-mint-tea/