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How to use garden plants in herbal teas
Many of the spontaneous or cultivated plants in the garden they have therapeutic properties and are useful for treating numerous ailments and annoyances. To enjoy the benefits plants that grow in the garden, but also grown in pots on balconies and terraces, it is possible to collect them and use them fresh or, better still, dry and store them to use them as needed in the form of herbal teas.
Harvesting of herbs should be done during their balsamic time which, in most cases, occurs just before flowering or during flowering. Once the herbs have been harvested, they must be washed, dried and dried. For dry the herbs, these can be placed in bunches to be placed upside down in a cool, shady place; alternatively it is possible to use a dryer, setting it at a temperature of 40 ° C. Normally the plants are ready within a few days: when they are completely dry, they can be placed in airtight glass jars and stored throughout the winter away from light, heat and humidity.
Herbal teas with plants from the garden
Here it is five examples of herbal teas that can be made with garden plants or herbs grown in pots on balconies and terraces.
Relaxing herbal tea
An herbal tea useful for counteracting stress, anxiety and agitation and promoting relaxation and rest can be prepared with flowers and plants from the garden such as poppies, lavender, lemon balm, oregano and basil.
- 25 g of lemon balm leaves
- 25 g of poppy petals
- 25 g of basil leaves
- 15 g of oregano leaves
- 10 g of lavender leaves and flowers
Prepare the infusion by pouring a cup of hot water over a spoonful of already mixed herbs. It is left to rest for five minutes with the lid on, then filtered and consumed. You can drink up to three cups a day to relieve symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.
Digestive herbal tea
In the garden grow numerous plants with digestive action and beneficial properties on the gastrointestinal system. Among these we can find spontaneous plants such as mallow, dandelion and chamomile, as well as cultivated aromatic plants including rosemary, marjoram, peppermint, sage, and lemon balm. An herbal tea that helps digestion better can be prepared with:
- 30 g of chamomile flower heads
- 30 g of lemon balm leaves
- 20 g of marjoram leaves
- 10 g of mint leaves
- 10 g of mallow leaves and flowers
The herbal tea is prepared with a tablespoon of the mixture and a cup of boiling water. After an infusion of about ten minutes, it is filtered and consumed. It can be drunk before, during or after main meals to promote digestive processes and counteract nausea, abdominal pain and a swollen belly. If you have gastroesophageal reflux, better omit the mint since its consumption tends to worsen gastric acidity.
Balsamic herbal tea
The aromatic plants that grow in the garden are rich in essential oils with a balsamic and antiseptic action. They can be used to make herbal teas to drink in case of cough, sore throat, cold, stuffy nose and other flu symptoms. Here is an example:
- 25 g of thyme leaves
- 25 g of oregano leaves
- 25 g of rosemary leaves
- 25 g of sage leaves
After pouring a cup of hot water on a tablespoon of already mixed herbs, it is left to infuse for about ten minutes, after which it is filtered and drunk up to 3-4 times a day. The mixture of herbs can also be used for fumigations, by adding three tablespoons of herbs to a pot of water and breathing in the steam for ten to fifteen minutes.
Diuretic and refreshing herbal tea
Here is a diuretic, draining and refreshing infusion that can be prepared with three plants that grow in the garden:
- 50 g of lemon balm leaves
- 25 g of nettle leaves
- 25 g of mint leaves
The method of preparing herbal tea always involves pouring a cup of boiling water over the dried herb mix. After five to ten minutes, the infusion can be filtered and consumed warm. It can be sipped during hot days for a refreshing action and to promote diuresis, counteracting water retention and swollen legs.
Herbal tea for the menstrual cycle
With the plants of the garden you can prepare useful infusions to treat menstrual cycle disorders, to be used in case of painful, irregular menstruation or when the menstrual flow is scarce or, conversely, abundant. Against menstrual pain and to stimulate the arrival of the period, for example, yarrow (Achillea millefolium), lemon balm, chamomile and calendula can be used, while for abundant cycles you can use the shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa- pastoris), a small spontaneous plant that also grows in gardens in spring and summer. An example of herbal tea for the menstrual cycle:
- 25 g of yarrow flowers and leaves
- 25 g of calendula flowers
- 25 g of chamomile flower heads
- 25 g of lemon balm leaves
To prepare the herbal tea, simply pour a cup of boiling water on a tablespoon of the mixture and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes and then filter and consume the lukewarm herbal tea. You can drink up to three cups a day from a week before your period until the end of your period.
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