Herbal tea - What did our ancestors know that many have forgotten?

HERBAL TEA

Herbal tea is an herb or a mixture of herbs that are infused in water. These teas really contain no actual tea leaves from the camellia sinensis plant. This means they are not really true teas. They are tisanes.

Other things may sometimes be added to the herbs. Berries, pieces of fruit, spices, bark, roots and flowers are some of those things. This type of beverage has been used for centuries in a medicinal way.

I remember years ago reading a book called “Clan of the Cave Bear” by Jean M Auel. It was the first in a series of several books. I read them all.

These books told the life story of a small child separated from her people by a natural disaster. She was found and raised by a clan of what we consider to be pre historic man.

I read a lot about plants and herbs in this series of books. Ayla, the lost child, was taught by the clan medicine woman about herbs. She learned to find the herbs that were used for medicine and avoid the dangerous plants.

Ayla eventually became a medicine woman herself and helped many with what she knew. She was making herbal tea to give relief and help the clan members get well when they became sick.

What did our own ancestors do

Really before modern medicine as we know it today what did people have? What did our ancestors do to ward off illness? How did they help themselves feel better when they did become sick?

Just as Ayla and her clan, history shows herbs to be what people used throughout the ages. These plants were used in many ways.

Herbs added flavor to food though out history and they still add flavor today. Some of these plants make good insect repellents. Poultices, made from herbs helped with abscesses and inflammation. Other plants give off a scent that pleases the senses.

Infused in water many of these plants make good tasting and often healthful herbal teas or tisane.

What about us

Today if we feel sick most of us don't think of herbal cures. Most people think of calling the doctor or buying pills from the pharmacy.

We are however, seeing more interest in the use of herbs. Herbal teas used just as a good tasting beverage. Herbal teas to bring relief of stress related and physical problems.

Would you be interested in trying an herbal tea or tisane made from herbs, dried fruits and flowers? I've tried a lot of different tisanes, blends of things like dried apple pieces, lemon peels and hibiscus flowers. I like the combination of dried orange peel and clove (a spice).

Many berries like dried cherries, cranberries and raspberries can be blended with hibiscus flowers or rose hips. I recently enjoyed a tisane given to me by my sister-in-law that had slivered almonds in the brew. It was really different and I liked it.

The combinations can be endless here. The best thing is these ingredients are natural and good for us.

Many herbal teas just plain taste good, not containing caffeine and helping with weight loose is a bonus.

Herbal tisanes can also be used today as they were for centuries for relief of illness.

There is chamomile tea that will help us sleep and calm our anxious moments.
Licorice root helps a sore throat and allergies.
Mint for stomach and digestion, it is even said to help headaches.
American Indians used ginseng to help with digestion.
Lavender will help us to relax.
Ginger will help with motion sickness.
Pau d'arco and Ojibway Tea, dating back centuries to native Indian peoples are said to have incredible healing powers. See more information here.

We can find an herbal tea blend to help women through menopause.

Childhood memory turns out it was a good thing

As a child I remember every spring my mother would take my sister and me on a hunt in the woods bordering our home. She was looking for sassafras roots. I can't say why it had to be in the spring. Mom insisted the tea she made with the roots would make us healthier. Bev, if your reading this do you remember hiking the woods with Mom?

Today's lesson class

Don't discount the benefit or the pleasure of drinking herbal tea.

Other tea types

White Tea
Chinese Green Tea
Black Tea
Oolong Tea
Pu-erh Tea
Varieties of Tea