Make Tea Not War
A few days ago, I posted about growing herbs indoors during the winter and got thinking about why the world needs more herbs. For me, growing ANYTHING indoors this time of the year brings me so much joy, and with everything going on these days, who couldn’t use a little more joy. Right? Honestly, I really think EVERYONE could benefit from having herbs inside their home. Besides bringing the beauty of nature, splashes of green, and amazing aromas into your home, herbs can be used for cooking, teas, making bath and body products, and best of all, medicinal purposes. Let’s dig into one of my favorites… growing herbs for tea, and of course all their amazing benefits.
First off, there is no “one size fits all” indoor herb garden. You’ll want to choose what to grow based on how much space you have (IE: sunny windowsill, sun room, etc.), as well as flavor, health benefits, and even what they look like and how big they grow. If you just want to bring some green to your life and enjoy the aroma of the plants, a cute little trio of herbs would be perfect in a window. If you’re thinking of using herbs for tea, consider the flavor profile and benefits. In addition, you’ll want to ensure no chemicals are being used on your herbs if you’re ingesting them, and always be sure to use them in moderation. Lastly, always check with your doctor if you have any conditions or medications, are pregnant, and/or are concerned about herbs interacting with any of these.
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. I currently have one in three different rooms of the house. Ok, Ok, I may actually be obsessed with Rosemary. When I need a pick me up, I like to drag my fingers from the bottom of the stem to the top and then breath in the aroma from the oils on my hands. Rosemary has been used to enhance cognitive function, aid digestion, and reduce inflammation for generations. Aromatically, it’s great for memory, focus, nervousness, depression, and emotional balance. To make a tea, cut a sprig or two and steep in a cup of boiling water for about 5 minutes. You don’t need to strip the leaves, just toss the stem and all in. Younger sprigs will have more flavor than older stems. The flavor is robust, and sort of minty with pine notes.
Sage can help with hot flashes and night sweats, soothe sore throats, improve mood, and help improve cholesterol. In teas, sage pairs well with citrus, so you can add the rind of an orange or lemon, pair with Lemon Balm, or Lemon Verbena. To make a tea, use 2 Tablespoons of fresh leaves and steep in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. The flavor is a cross between citrus and eucalyptus.
Lemon Balm can help with stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and gastrointestinal issues. It actually loses flavor as it’s dried, so keeping a plant for fresh cuttings will always give you the best flavor. To make a tea, use 1 Tablespoon of fresh leaves and steep in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. Lemon Balm has a delicate citrus flavor, but because it is part of the mint family it has a slight minty flavor.
Peppermint can be unruly and I highly recommend growing in a planter even if you grow it outside, or place it in a spot that you don’t mind it taking over. The roots are pretty invasive and you’ll have mint everywhere unless you can keep them in check. Peppermint is great for digestion, it soothes upset tummies, helps with bad breath, hangovers, and to decrease milk supply. It also has been used for headaches, depression, and anxiety. Aromatically is a good for alertness and energy. To make a tea, use ¼ cup fresh leaves and steep in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. The flavor is, as you can imagine, minty. Think of a candy cane without any sugar.
Thyme can help with indigestion, candida, respiratory issues, menstrual cramps, sleep issues, and infection. The active ingredient is Thymol which is an antioxidant. To make a tea, use 2 teaspoons fresh leaves and steep in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Thyme has an unusual flavor that is a combination of mint, citrus, and pine. The best flavor is obtained just before the plant flowers. It’s also great cold with a squeeze of lemon and lime.
There are so many more herbs and flowers that can be used for teas, such as Lemon Verbena, Stinging Nettle, Chamomile, Yarrow, Echinacea, St. John’s Wort to name a few. More to come on those once the weather starts to look a little more like spring. They just aren’t suitable for indoor growing, unless you are lucky enough to have a green house.
Are you ready to get started growing some herbs?
Until next time…
Dream Big, Plant Love, and Grow Where You’re Planted
XOXO - Laurie