Custom Tea

 

      Gathering herbs is an important part of our life here on the farm. Whether its a relaxing walk through the mountains, or in the herb garden, one thing is for sure the harvesting is healing in itself.
      Herbs are picked at the appropriate time and dehydrated at low temperatures so as not to destroy valuable oils and enzymes. Timing is important, whether you pick in the morning or the afternoon, what level of maturity the plant is at. Plants are free to mature on their own time, influenced by the weather, geographic location, altitude and what kind of nourishment is in the soil.

 One of the things I enjoy doing is create custom herb teas for those I love.

  Its fun to take the grandchildren out and teach them about the different wild edibles and have them pick the herbs for a tea party. We like to use the good china for that.

   

 Blending herbs for a loved one is when I tap into the creator, I ask guidance in picking just the right ones for that person at that time, all the while I am praying for that person, and thinking loving thoughts.

    Last weekend my daughter Rosemary was over, she needed something to boost her immune system. So I brought down all the beautiful jars and began blending "Rosemary tea". It contained, Nettles, peppermint, calendula, rose petals, chamomile, lavender and red clover.

I also made her an herbal "coffee" made with roasted dandelion root, chicory, and carob.

Solitude is everywhere

   Harvesting nettles is best done in the spring, picking the most tender leaves. Wearing gloves will protect you from the stingers, but if you do get stung you have been inoculated with folic acid, I try to think on that when I brush up against a plant. When I was young the horse I used to ride was on the ornery side. The hitching post I tied her to was near a huge growth of nettles, several times she kicked at me and my only escape was that nettle patch. I must have had alot of folic acid in my system.  Morning is the the best time to pick, if my plants are clean I dont wash them, just lay on the dehydrator trays and set on 95 degrees. Nettles are diuretic, help with allergies and a great tonic.
   Peppermint should be harvested before it flowers, pick in the morning and dehydrate as you would nettles. Besides being aromatic, peppermint is a stimulant, carminative and stomachic. It is very prolific and I even have some growing out the gravel in my driveway, don't know how it got there.
   Raspberry leaves are a wonderful tonic for women especially. They are strengthening to a pregnant woman and should be consumed all through pregnancy.
    Red clover is an amazing flower, There are three leaves under each flower, suggesting an association with the trinity. It has been used to treat cancer and is a detoxifier. Harvest them through the summer. I like to pick carefully after a rain so they are clean, just the flowers. and dehydrate at 95 degrees. They take along time to dry.
    Chamomile is best known for its calming qualities. but is also a digestion aid, good for circulation, fevers and cramps. It grows wild here, but I cultivate it in my herb garden. I pick just the flowers in the morning and dry at 95 degrees, they take along time to dry as well. Make sure your more dense herbs dry before you store them.
    Calendula a very pretty bright orange flower, I use it on salads and any meal that needs a little color. Added to soap it is healing on skin irritations, internally it is good for inflammation.