There’s so much stress in the world today that a good hot, calming tea at the end of a hectic day is just what the body needs to reset for a relaxing evening at home.
There’s Nothing Like a Cup of Tea
Last week I wrote about an event I attended by my herbalist friend Magic Keller and shared some of what I learned about the herbs that grow in my backyard.
This week I had the privilege of attending another workshop by Magic Keller. This event was slightly different in that it was a hands-on workshop about 9 medicinal herbs that are used to make a custom blend that we were able to take home.
Magic explained to us about catalyst or flavor flag herbs. Catalysts add to the effectiveness of the herbs and flavor flags improve flavors of other herbs that may not taste as good.
Nine Herbs To Chill By
We were introduced to nine common herbs that are known to have calming effects on the body.
Chamomile
This herb is often used as a relaxing base herb. It is safe for children. It is said to be safe for nursing mothers to drink when nursing colicky babies and has positive affects for the child. It’s cooling, relaxing and drying.
Do not take if you’re allergic to sunflower butter. Drinking too much chamomile tea can cause heartburn.
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
This tasty member of the mint family is a flavor flag. It helps improve the stress response and is cumulative. It balances energy levels. For best results to get fresh material, purchase directly from a farm or grow yourself.
Lavender
Lavender is well known for its cooling, relaxing, and aroma. A cup of this tea will help in gas and bloating relief. It relaxes muscles. Its leaves and flowers are a flavor flag.
Oatstraw (oatmeal plant)
Creates an accumulative effect of the neural system It is a tonic and mineral milk.
Licorice
Licorice herb has a flavor flag that people either love or don’t like at all. Good for dry cough and is also a catalyst.
Do not use if you have adema or high blood pressure.
Skullcap
Another member of the mint family, skullcap is a bitter herb that is good for circular thought. It is also good to relieve tightness in the neck and shoulders and offers relief from headaches. It is safe for children.
Passionflower
It is aromatic and provides an uplifting feeling when served as a tea. Its calming effects aids against “merry-go-round thoughts”. It offers an analgesic effect and is an antispasmodic.
Do not use this herb if you are on MOAs as it is an MOA inhibitor. Do not use if you are on beta-blockers. This herb is not recommended for children under 10 years old.
Lemon Balm
This is an aromatic herb that offers an uplifting feeling when used. It relieves a “nervous tummy”. It is a mellow herb so blend it with something stronger. Do not use lemon balm if you have hypothyroid or are on thyroid medications.
Stevia
The primary use of stevia in a blend like this would be to sweeten the tea blend. The commercial application of this herb is questionable because often the products contain cheap unhealthy fillers. These commercial products are found to cause hormonal disruptions. If, however, you grow and dry your own stevia, those effects are limited.
My Custom Calming Blend
The best part of the workshop was the fact that we were able to create our own custom calming blend. We were instructed to create an herb blend based on what effects we wanted. I wanted an herb blend to counter anxiety.
We were to choose two key herbs, one catalyst or flavor flag, and two supporting herbs. In other words, the blends would have five total herbs in the blend.
My Custom Anti-Anxiety Herbal Blend
¾ cup of dried oatstraw
¾ cup of dried skullcap
2 tablespoons of dried chamomile
¼ cup dried tulsi
!/4 cup dried Lemon Balm
Mix the dried herbs together and put in a bag and label with the contents and steeping instructions.
Steeping Instructions: Steep 1 teaspoon of tea blend with one cup of hot water, strain. Add raw local honey to taste. Enjoy.
Note: This information has been for entertainment purposes only. Always be aware of the contraindications of herbal use when taking prescription medications.
Have you picked up your copies of my garden-related books yet?
My Gardening-Related Books
If you’re interested in putting in a vegetable garden this year, I have written several books that can help you get started. All available on Amazon.
Gourmet Weeds
Simply Vegetable Gardening
The Survival Garden
The Four Seasons Vegetable Garden
Help From Kelp
Using Diatomaceous Earth Around the House and Yard
The Perpetual Homesteader 