What is herbal tea? What herbs can be collected for tea?
Many wild or garden plants have therapeutic properties and are useful in the treatment of many ailments. Stomach acidity, bloating and heaviness of the abdomen can be combated with the help of special herbs that have the ability to improve digestion. They can be harvested and used fresh, or dried and stored for use as needed as herbal teas.
Herbal teas are infused or boiled to extract the active ingredients.
A decoction differs from an infusion in that parts of one or more plants are boiled for a long time. This helps to extract active substances that are poorly soluble in water. The disadvantage of this method is that some useful ingredients are destroyed by boiling, volatile substances are lost.
Gastrointestinal problems can have a variety of causes. It is often caused by stress, eating too fast, or eating too large or too fatty meals. One of the reasons herbs are used is to naturally improve digestion.
Pay attention! Herbs have been and are being used as natural remedies for digestive problems. Discomfort associated with indigestion, such as heartburn and a feeling of heaviness, can be alleviated without even resorting to medication.
The following parts of the plant are mainly used to make herbal tea:
- leaves;
- flowers;
- stems;
- fruits;
- root.
The best solution is to drink tea or an infusion of herbs grown by yourself.
Herbs for tea
In the garden there are many plants that have a digestive effect and are beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract. If there is no serious illness, herbs can be used. The world of tea herbs that you can grow yourself is huge. Examples of such herbs: wormwood, peppermint, lavender, basil, chamomile, etc.
Pay attention! Herbal tea is made from a tablespoon of the mixture and a glass of boiling water. After about ten minutes of insisting, it is filtered and consumed. May be drunk before, during, or after main meals to improve digestion and reduce nausea, stomach pain, and bloating.
Herbs for improving digestion have many benefits.
Peppermint is one of them. Use it fresh or dried. Consuming peppermint can help relieve problems such as flatulence, an overgrowth of gut bacteria, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Fennel is great for digestion. Use crushed seeds or leaves to make herbal tea. You will need about a teaspoon of seeds per cup.
Lavender has many properties that make this medicinal plant so special and versatile. It has an aroma that helps to relax and get rid of insomnia, so this is a great tea for the evening. You will need a teaspoon or more per cup, depending on personal taste. Insist five minutes or more. Tea can be drunk several times a day,
Basil has an invigorating aroma that makes herbal tea especially refreshing. Fresh leaves are tastier. Take a couple of leaves for a cup of boiling water. Basil has a sedative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.
The calming effect of valerian is also shown in tea. Harvest and dry the roots or flowers in autumn.
St. John’s wort is often used as a tea to relax the nerves. For this, flowers, shoots and leaves are used.,
Chamomile tea has numerous beneficial properties for the body. It can be grown independently and used fresh.
Collect flowers and leaves, which are effective in lung diseases, relieve cough. A mixture of flowers and leaves helps with diarrhea and indigestion. Promotes better metabolism in the liver and supports the functioning of the gallbladder.
Dandelion is as popular as tea. The roots and leaves of the well-known weed have even been used as an alternative to coffee for centuries. Can quickly play on its own.
Mint is great for making tea. There are different types of mint: Moroccan, apple, peppermint. Fresh leaves will add more flavor, but dried leaves retain their smell and taste. Peppermint tea is even popular with children.
Melissa belongs to the mint family and grows in abundance. Fresh leaves are also best for making tea, but dried leaves can be used.
Hibiscus or any kind of hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are observed. Supports the body’s natural defenses, and helps the immune system with digestive and eating problems.
Rosemary has a strong aroma, especially in herbal teas. You will need about a teaspoon of leaves for each cup of boiling water.
Sage contains an essential oil with a high content of thujone, cineole, camphor and borneol, as well as vitamin A, C and complex B. Of the minerals, calcium and potassium, magnesium and zinc are represented here.
Sage tea is used for the following medicinal purposes:
- treats stomach problems;
- relieves tooth or joint pain;
- helps with asthma;
- positive effect on colds and flu;
- calms various nervous disorders and nervousness;
- relieves mild inflammation of the mouth or throat;
- helps with menstrual problems.
Thyme is an aromatic tea that relieves tension, stress, apathy, tones, replenishes energy. It can be easily grown on its own, using whole shoots for this.
Lemon verbena has one of the strongest flavors of any lemon-scented herb. Hot or cold infusion has many beneficial effects on the body. In addition, it is a great refreshing infusion for the summer.
Many natural herbs such as yarrow also have beneficial properties and can be used as an herbal tea. This plant can also be grown in pots and balconies and the best time to harvest is late summer.
Herbal tea: recipes:
Herbal tea that improves digestion can be prepared from:
30 g chamomile flowers:
30 g lemon balm leaves:
20 g marjoram leaves:
10 g mint leaves:
10 g of leaves and flowers of mallow.
Fragrant plants growing in the garden are rich in essential oils with antiseptic action. They can be used to make herbal teas for coughs, sore throats, colds, nasal congestion, and other flu symptoms. Here is an example:
25 g thyme leaves
25 g oregano leaves
25 g rosemary leaves
25 g sage leaves
A tablespoon of mixed herbs is poured into a glass of hot water, left to infuse for ten minutes, after which it is filtered and drunk up to 3-4 times a day.
Diuretic and refreshing herbal tea
A diuretic, refreshing remedy that can be prepared from three plants growing in the garden:
50 g lemon balm leaves
25 g nettle leaves
25 g mint leaves
When preparing herbal tea, a mixture of dried herbs is always poured with a glass of boiling water. After five to ten minutes, the infusion can be filtered and consumed warm. It can be drunk on hot days for a refreshing effect and to improve diuresis by counteracting water retention and swollen feet.
Growing herbs for digestive teas with your own hands
Tips for growing them at home
The variety of herbs that you can grow yourself is extensive. Once you have decided on some of the above plants, you can start growing them. Caring for them does not require special attention: it is enough to water a couple of times a week. Classic herbs grow very quickly and do not require much care.
Growing medicinal plants is not a difficult task, but there are rules that must be followed.
- Herbs are harvested early in the day, after the dew has dried.
- Most herbs reach their peak of usefulness just before flowering.
- Before you are ready to use them, don’t tear or chop herbs.
Mint is one of the few herbs that prefer partial shade. It grows best in rich, moist soil, with slightly acidic or neutral acidity. The best time to plant is in spring, after the last frost has passed. Peppermint requires a good dose of water each week and does not respond well to stagnant conditions.
Thyme is a low-growing plant that thrives particularly well even in fairly dry and sunny conditions. Most varieties of thyme grow well on their own without much care in bright sun, moist soil.
Additional information! Remember to fertilize the grasses, because only in a substrate enriched with enough nutrients can they grow lush. This is especially important for plants that use the leaves so they can produce the essential oils needed for the flavor and effect of the tea.
Also, never allow tea herbs to dry out. Drought is not good for them.
The collection of herbs should be carried out in the period immediately before or during flowering. After the herbs are collected, they need to be washed and dried. For drying, greens can be folded in bunches and put in a cool shady place; alternatively, a dryer can be used by setting it to 40°. Plants are usually ready within a few days. When they are completely dry, they can be placed in airtight glass jars and stored all winter away from light, heat and humidity.
