Teas From Plants Around You And Their Benefits

All teas unless specified are brewed with 1 teaspoon dry material or
2 teaspoons fresh material to 1 cup of water.

Always steep. This means pouring hot water over material and letting
set for 5 - 15 minutes. Always dry leaves and roots out of the sun,
in dark airy places. Then store in airtight containers.
Persimmon Tea: The leaves when dried and crushed make a fine strong
tea. Can be used all year round. Rich in vitamin C. Used as a
healthful tonic.

Sassafras Tea: Boil fresh roots after washing, until water turns
reddish brown. Can be sliced and dried for later use. Claimed by some
to be a blood thinner, a blood purifier, to help bronchitis, a
stimulating spring tonic. Mostly it is used for pure enjoyment.

Birch Tea (Wintergreen)<WBR>: Black, yellow and white birch. Dried leaves
can be used year round. A large handful of fresh leaves steeped in
hot water was drunk 1 to 2 cups a day for rheumatism and headaches.
Said to reduce pain of passing kidney stones, and a fever reducer.
Cold it was used as a mouthwash.

Blackberry/Raspberr<WBR>y Tea: The dried mature leaves of these brambles
make a good tea. Used to help control diarrhea, as a blood purifier
and tonic. Use all year round.

Blueberry Tea: The dried mature leaves are steeped until cool and
drunk 1 to 2 cups per day as a blood purifier and tonic. Also used to
help inflamed kidneys and increase the flow of urine. Somewhat
bitter. Use all year round.

Alfalfa Tea: The dried and powdered leaves and flower heads make a
very nutritious tea, but it is somewhat bland. We suggest mixing them
with normal teas to stretch them and add nutrition. Its vitamin
content was the reason it was used. Used all year round.

Wild Strawberry Tea: Use dried leaves normally. Pour several cups
boiling water over a handful of fresh leaves in the evening. Cover
and let steep overnight. Strain water and reheat in the morning.
Believed to help with a multitude of things, from stomach troubles,
eczema, diarrhea, etc. According to experts, it is much more
healthful than purchased coffee or teas. Use all year round.

Wild Rose-Hip Tea: A handful of these steeped for 10 minutes, then
strained, make a healthful tea. Can be used dried or fresh in season.
Instead of boiling, place a handful in cool water overnight, then
stain and reheat in the morning. Use all year round. Strong Vitamin C
content. Helps with Colds and the flu.
Also for sore throat.

Sweet Goldenrod Tea (Anise): Can use dried or fresh leaves or
flowers. Makes a very flavorful tea. Pure enjoyment only!! Used all
year round.