Herbal Teas

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.

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.

CALMING HERB TEA

1 tsp. dried peppermint leaves

1 tsp. dried lemon balm leaves

Add these to a tea pot and add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of boiling water. Steep for

about 5 minutes, strain and add sugar or tea for a soothing herbal tea.

CHAMOMILE HERB TEA

2 tablespoons 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 (or one if it's just you!). Add

honey to taste.

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.

FRESH GINGER TEA

2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced

4 cups water

honey to taste

Place the ginger in a ceramic teapot. Bring the water to a boil and pour

over the ginger. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, and strain. If you are making

this one person, sweeten each cup with honey to taste, and lemon if desired.

I warm up the remainder in the microwave if it cools too quickly. This is

especially nice for a nervous stomach.

SPICY GINGER TEA

4 ginger tea bags, any brand

2 3 inch pieces of cinnamon stick

8 whole cloves

6 cups boiling water

2 Orange slices

4 tsp. sweetener, honey or sugar

Place tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger and sweetener into a large

teapot. Pour boiling water over and allow to steep 3 minutes. Remove tea

bags and allow to sit 5 minutes. To serve, pour tea into cups and float a

quarter slice of orange in each cup.

SPICY GREEN TEA

Green tea is not only good for you, but if you use soy milk (I like the

vanilla soy) it gives it that extra boost of goodness. Try this in the

morning!

1 cup milk (soy milk will work well too)

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, and then serve.