Herb Teas

Anise Tea
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. dried anise leaves
1 tsp. honey

Pour the boiling water over the leaves and steep for about 5 minutes-a little longer if you like it strong. Strain and sweeten with the honey. This makes a nice licorice type beverage.

Chamomile Herb Tea

2 tbsp. fresh chamomile flowers
2 cups boiling water
2 thin slices of apple
honey to taste

Rinse the flowers with cool water. Warm your tea pot with boiling water. Add the apple slices to the pot and mash them with a wooden spoon. Add the chamomile flowers and pour in boiling water (2 cups). Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain the tea into two cups. Add honey to taste.

Lavender Herb Tea
1 tsp. dried lavender flowers
1 tsp. dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp. green tea leaves
4 cups boiling water

Place the herbs in a warmed teapot. Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain and serve, sweeten with honey if desired.

Lemon Balm Cordial
4 sprigs lemon balm
2 sprigs hyssop
2 sprigs basil
2 sprigs mint
2 sprigs sage
1 Tbs. chopped, crushed angelica root
2 oz. sugar
2 1/2 cups brandy

Steep the herbs and sugar in the brandy for a fortnight, shaking occasionally. Strain and repeat with fresh herbs if the taste is not sufficiently pronounced. Strain and bottle. Take a Tbs. of this digestive before meals.

Horehound Tea
1 cup fresh leaves, or 1/4 cup dried
1 quart water
2 tablespoons honey
1 fresh lemon
1 tsp. anise seed (optional)

Place the herbs into a pan, add water and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain the tea, pressing the herbs as you strain. Add the honey and the juice of the lemon. You may add more honey if you wish. Sip it warm. 2-3 cups per day as needed. You can also add a little bit of fresh ginger in place of the anise seed.

Mint and Lemon Iced Tea
3 cups of boiling water
4 black tea bags
2 fresh mint sprigs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
5 cups cold water
Fresh mint and sliced lemon for garnish

Use the boiling water to brew the black tea with the mint sprigs for 5 minutes. Strain or remove tea bags and mint. Add sugar and lemon juice, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in cold water. Serve over ice, garnish with fresh sprigs of mint and a slice of lemon. Makes 8 servings.

Ginger teas are especially soothing, and you can use purchased tea, fresh or ground ginger.

Spicy Green Tea
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 green tea bags

In medium saucepan, heat the water and milk until they just begin to gently boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove tea bags and strain, then serve.