Tea Plants for the Garden Sadly, too many gardeners fail to take advantage of the many delightful herbal teas available to them from their own garden. Herbal teas are healthy, refreshing and can be sweetened to taste with honey or dried licorice root. Brewing herbal teas is very simple. We recommend using the infusing method, that is pouring boiling water over the herbs and allowing them to steep for 3-5 minutes, then straining the tea and serve. Teas can be served cold or hot, according to preference. Making the perfect tea is a personal preference, we recommend using the following guidelines starting out: For one cup of herbal tea, use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs, or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs. For one gallon, use 6 ounces ( about 2½ cups ) of fresh herbs, or ¾ cups dried herbs. If using fresh herbs, gently bruise or crush the leaves to help release flavor and aroma. Never let the herbs set in the tea for over a day as this may allow tannic acid to release into the tea, which can be irritating to the stomach. Be sure to use only herbs that have not been treated with pesticides. There are many herbal teas that can be made from exotic herbs, but we have chosen to list the more common herbs that gardeners are apt to raise for other purposes as well as tea. AGRIMONY ( AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA ) Agrimony has long been used in place of tea in Europe. It is a hardy perennial reaching 3-5 ft. and prefers full sun to light shade in ordinary well drained soil. Parts of plant to use for tea: Flowers, leaves and stems harvested when plants are in bloom. Taste: Delightful taste, with a somewhat apricot like flavor. Can be sweetened with licorice or honey. MEDICO ALFALFA. (MEDICAGO SATIVA) Alfalfa is very high in vitamins A, D, E, G and K, as well as 16 important minerals. It is a hardy perennial with many small flowers growing off of the stems. Grows well in full or partial sun in well drained soil. Averages 1-3 ft. in height.This strain of alfalfa can be made into a tea by placing two teaspoons of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and soaking for 15 minutes. This tea is used to treat arthritis, boils, digestive disorders, urinary tract infections and bowel disorders. The chlorophyll in this brew will also dispatch of bad breath. Eating the sprouts in salads is also very beneficial. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves and seeds. Taste: Somewhat of a bland taste, some describe it as the taste of new mown hay. We recommend mixing with red clover, mints or lemon verbena and sweetening with honey. Your really should drink this tea for it's nutritional benefits. ANGELICA Angelica is a biennial plant often grown as an annual. Flowers have a sweet honey smell. An oil made from the stems and roots is used in flavoring liqueurs and stems are often candied and used in decorating cakes. Angelica will grow to a height o 4-6 ft. and prefers partial shade and a moist, slightly acidic soil. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves, seeds. Taste: A very light taste, somewhat like celery. Best if sweetened with honey. ANISE ( PIMPINELLA ANISUM ) An annual plant growing to 2 ft. tall. Prefers growing in cultivated soil with compost worked in and full sun. Anise tea is one of the best herbal teas that you could ever hope to make. It has a delicious flavor, and is said to be helpful in the treatment of asthma, colic, bronchitis and nausea. It is also said to be helpful in promoting milk production in nursing mothers. A cup of Anise tea just before bedtime will help you rest better and sleep soundly. Leaves and seeds used to flavor licorice. Delicious in salads. Seeds often used in applesauce, cakes, breads, soups and stews. Seeds have also been used for ages as a mousetrap bait, it is said that mice cannot resist the aroma of the seeds. <o:p>Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves and seeds. Taste: Very pleasant sweet licorice like taste and delightful aroma. Needs no sweeteners or other flavorings. BALM, LEMON ( MELISSA OFFICINALIS ) A hardy perennial growing to 2-4 ft., prefers light sandy soil and full sun to partial shade. Lemon scented leaves and sprigs used to make teas and cool drinks. It is thought to relieve asthma, migraine headaches and toothaches. Good for potpourri and the flowers attract bees. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves. Taste: A light, lemony flavor that needs no other flavorings added, in fact it is a good flavoring herb to mix with other herbal teas. BASIL, LARGE SWEET ITALIAN A fast growing annual to 2 ft. tall, can be grown in full sun to partial shade. Should be grown in rich garden type soil. Basil has long been used to relieve stomach aches, gas and constipation. The leaves are excellent for tomato sauces and salads. Adds zest to everything. Very fragrant flowers and leaves. Good potpourri addition. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves. Taste: Unique, spicy clove-like flavor. WOOD BETONY (STACHYS OFFICINALIS) A hardy perennial to three ft. with deep purple flowers. Grows to 1-2 ft. tall in full sun to partial shade and requires rich, well drained soil. Tea made from the leaves is said to be effective against depression and despair and is said to be a good blood purifier. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves. Taste: A slightly bitter astringent taste, but not too strong. You may want to add a little honey to sweeten the taste. <o:p></o:p> BORAGE ( BORAGE OFFICINALIS ) The ancient Greeks believed that this herb imparted courage and was often added to wine. Has been used to treat fevers and as an antidote against poisons. It is an annual plant growing to 3 ft. tall. Does well even in poor soils and can grow in full sun to partial shade. Cucumber flavored leaves used in salads and summer drinks. Good bee plant. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves, flowers. Taste: A pleasant cucumber flavor.
BURNET ( SANGUISORBA MINOR ) A very hardy perennial that grows 1-2 ft. tall and likes well drained sandy soil. Has long been used to treat wounds and stop bleeding. Leaves used to flavor cold drinks and herb vinegars. Tender, young leaves add a hint of cucumber to soups, casseroles and salads. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves. Taste: Fresh cucumber like flavor. CARAWAY SEEDS ( CARUM CARVI ) A biennial often grown as an annual in most types of soil. Needs full sun. Caraway tea is often used to stimulate appetite and digestion and to relieve cramps and flatulence. Flavorful seeds used in breads, cheese sauces and sauerkraut. Parts of plant to use for tea: Seeds. Taste: Unique sweet flavor with a slight bite to it. CATNIP ( NEPATA CATARIA ) Often grown by cat owners as cats love to find this plant, proceed to destroy it and roll around on top of it. It is a hardy perennial with attractive heart shaped foliage. Grows 2-3 ft. tall in moist rich soil. Grows in full sun or partial shade. Catnip tea has been used to relieve upset stomachs, hysteria, nervousness and headaches. Parts of plant to use for tea: Leaves. Taste: An aromatic tea with a minty flavor. |
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