When it comes to good herbal tea, the fresher the better. Herbal teas are better tasting and more potent when they are at their peak of freshness. Growing your own herbal tea ensures not only that you have the freshest tea available, but you control the growing, the fertilizing and making sure it is organic, meaning you are not using poisonous pesticides in your growing process.
Herbal teas are used in many ways from soothing sore throats to easing digestion, and not to forget relaxation. Herbal teas can be planted in a garden in your yard, in flower pots in the house, on window sills, on the porch. Just about any place you can put a planting pot, you can grow herbal tea.
Herbal tea can be grown from seed or you can purchase them as starter plants, which is a little more expensive, but makes growing faster. I would rather grow them from seed so that I have control on what is used in the process.
You need approximately 4-5 of each herbal tea plant in order to grow enough herbal tea to keep you in a good supply of tea. Growing is easy, just read and follow the instructions on the seed package. Herbal tea seeds can be purchased from several online stores. Just use you favorite web search engine and you can find several sources to purchase from.
When ever you fell the need for a cup of herbal tea, you can take it fresh from the plant as it is growing. When harvesting your tea, try to use it with two days for the best results for potency. If you have an over abundance of herbal tea at the end of the growing cycle or season, you can always harvest the tea and dry it for later use.
To dry the herbal tea, tie a small bundle of stalks or stems together and then hang them upside down in an area away from moisture. When the material is dry and has a crispy texture, you can then store the herbal tea in an air tight container.
Some herbal tea plants bloom every season after they have been planted (perennial). For these plants do not cut the stalks too low or they may not bloom or grow next season. Once the tea is dried and properly stored, it should last for about two years.
Good Herbal Teas To Grow:
Lavender- helps you relax, boosts immunity and is anti-bacterial
Chamomile- helps you relax, aids digestion, and is anti-inflammatory (German species)
Calendula- helps the lymph system and is anti-inflammatory
Hops- helps you relax and aids in digestion
Mint- helps with headaches, digestion and sinusitis
Passionflower- helps you relax and calms the nerves
Lemon Verbena- helps with sleep, concentration and digestion
Rosemary- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Marjoram- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Basil- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Thyme- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Herbal teas can be mixed together to produce exotic flavors and healthful uses. For example, you can combine chamomile, passionflower and lavender for a calming nightime blend.
Sip your way to good health!
Charles
