Herbal tea is nourishment for the body, mind and soul and is one of the most ancient, basic and simple methods of healing and nourishing yourself. There are several legends told about the origin of tea and its healing qualities dating back to 2737 B.C.E. The first two are of Chinese origin, the legend of Emperor Shen Nong, and a story of a Chinese herbalist. The third is the legend of the Indian Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma.
Plants contain numerous important nutrients and compounds that when brewed in water, the resulting infusion, herbal tea, is infused with those constituents.
The practice of drinking herbal tea gives us the simple pleasure of wellness and the opportunity in our busy day to take a bit of time out. If you are not sure which tea you should be drinking then just let your body guide you toward the right tea for you.
At least once a day drink your herbal tea. If you want to get more out of your herbal tea drink, two cups per day and in the case of acute problems drink in small, frequent doses.
Herbal Tea Preparation
The most suitable vessels for infusing your herbal tea are made of glass, porcelain, or glazed earthenware.
When making your tea, use fresh, filtered cold water heated to just below boiling (try not to over boil the water as it drains the water of oxygen) then pour the heated water onto the required amount of herb, and cover. The act of covering your tea ensures warmth, a full extraction and that the essential oils of the herbs stay in your cup. Then allow to steep for 5-15 minutes (depending on the herbs used), strain and enjoy the benefits.
To Keep The Potency, Quality And Effectiveness Of Your Herbs
Store your herbs in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct light and warmth as this will destroy the vitality of the herb. Store the herbs in clean and dry airtight glass or ceramic jars as this allows the herbs to breathe, keeping air and moisture out - the darker the glass, the better.
Don't Throw Your Used Herbal Tea In The Garbage!
When finished with the residue of your herbal tea, don't throw it in the garbage, return it to the earth either in the compost or scattered onto the earth. Why? As a lot of the hard to extract mineral contents that remain after brewing are returned to the earth for the benefits of other plants. Also, show your herbs some respect they have just helped you!
What better way to connect plants and people ღ