It is the change of seasons and the first time in a while that a lot of people are coming togther in closed spaces. That means … you guessed it … runny nose and coughing season.
I am convinced each year that the season is also brought on my a crash in the immune system due to the excessive amounts of corn syrup and sugar fed to the system the week after Halloween. (At least in my house anyway, where my children do not have a save till later button when there is a bag of newly gathered sugar next to their beds).
The pot above is filled with fresh tyme, lemon grass, an organic lemon and a very juicy tangerine. It was slowly brought to a boil (left to boil about 3 minutes) and left to sit another 5-7 with the heat off.
The solids strained off and then added some local honey while still warm so it disolves well. This made about 40 oz of tea. I drank a cup right away and the rest I put into a Quart canning jar with a lid and placed in the refrigerator. It can be drunk cold or warmed when another cup is wished later.
Tyme is good for many things, one of which is it’s anti-bacterial properties. Lemon Balm is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflamatory properties. It is also known to help with anxiety and stress. Lemons are good for their Vitamin C and for improved digestion (and a healthy self is often linked to a healthy gut). Oranges are good for Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium and Thiamine. Local Raw Honey is also an antioxidant. So much goodness and yumminess in one pot of tea.
Using the herbs around us is one way in which we can help our body run effectively. Now that my kids are really interested in plants we have been growing mroe and more of our own herbs. You can dry them or use them fresh. Drying them slowly helps to retain the oils in the plants and can be kept upto a year or more in a sealed glass jar. Use to add to food or to prepare wonderful teas!