Herbal Teas
Herbal tea, or more properly, tisane is any beverage made from the infusion of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water, and usually does not contain caffeine. These drinks are distinguished from true teas (black, green, white, yellow, oolong, etc., which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant). Like beverages made from true teas, herbal teas can be served hot or cold.
As herbal teas can be composed of any plant material, including some plants that are known to be toxic, the specific ingredients must be checked individually for health and safety. Most retail herbal teas sold as beverages could be considered safe, but medicinal herbal teas could easily contain herbs that cause damage in large amounts.
While most herbal teas are safe for regular consumption, some herbs have toxic or allergenic effects. Among the greatest causes of concern are:
- Comfrey, which contains alkaloids that can cause permanent liver damage with chronic use
- Lobelia, which contains alkaloids similar in effect to nicotine
Herbal teas can also have different effects from person to person, and this is further compounded by the problem of potential misidentification. The deadly foxglove, for example, can be mistaken for the much more benign (but still relatively toxic to the liver) comfrey.
Here a few links to websites that offer information on Herbal Teas:
God's Countryside
Pardon me for a small detour from herbal teas. I would like to share a personal note. My husband and I are both "city people" from childhood. It was a dream of my husband's to have a small piece of land and tend some sheep. God provided an opportunity for us to purchase a small farm. We moved out to God's Countryside in April 2008. What an adventure we have had. We have had a front row seat to all of God's amazing work from the changing of the seasons to the most unexpected changes in our daily life. My husband enjoys tending the sheep, a Great Pyrenees dog named Romeo and several (and I mean several) barn cats.
The farm has 14 acres. There are two small fields with pasture grass and alfalfa. In an effort to understand which plants were weeds to be removed and which plants were worth keeping, I found interesting uses for various plants that grow wild out in our fields. Please browse the following links for more information.
Red Clover
Red Clover has a vibrant purple flower and is prolific from mid-summer to early fall along roadsides and in meadows with rocky soil. This common plant, also called purple clover, cow clover, meadow clover, or bee-bread, is medicinally quite special. Red Clover is a highly nutritive plant with significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, chromium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.
Since I discovered several sites that describe the benefits and how to use the plants, I could not do a better job of offering the details than those who have uncovered these natural wonders before me! Please browse the following links for more information:
Alfalfa
Alfalfa leaf tea is a known herbal remedy which has been used for centuries to treat and prevent a great variety of health conditions. This herbal tea is an infusion made from dried alfalfa leaves, the plant known also as lucerne, trefoil, or holy-hay. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is native to Asia and the Mediterranean region. Since I discovered several sites that describe the benefits and how to use the plants, I could not do a better job of offering the details than those who have uncovered these natural wonders before me! Please browse the following links for more information:Alfalfa Leaf Benefits This site lists several different herbs and their benefits
Goldenrod
This glorious member of the "Aster" family (Asteraceae), is NOT an allergen which causes seasonal hay-fever. Since I discovered several sites that describe the benefits and how to use the plants, I could not do a better job of offering the details than those who have uncovered these natural wonders before me! Please browse the following links for more information:Goldenrod: Uses
Lemongrass
Lemongrass, a native plant found in Africa and Asia, is commonly cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes. I grow it my garden each year and then harvest it for tea. Since I discovered several sites that describe the benefits and how to use the plants, I could not do a better job of offering the details than those who have uncovered these natural wonders before me! Please browse the following links for more information:
Turmeric**
Turmeric is the golden yellow spice used in Asian curries. It is obtained from the ginger-like rhizome of Curcuma longa, a tropical herb from India. The well-researched anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties of turmeric make it worth including in your diet. Since I discovered several sites that describe the benefits and how to use the plants, I could not do a better job of offering the details than those who have uncovered these natural wonders before me! Please browse the following links for more information:
**NOTE: I do not grow turmeric in our garden space. We purchase it at a local produce store.