There are millions and millions and millions of teas to choose from. Teas with fruit, herbal teas, spice teas, even teas made with tapioca that can only be drunk with large straws. All are fine choices, however, there is a less expensive, yet equally satisfying option.
Make your own tea. One way this can be done is by going to your local nursery and picking up a 1 gal. Satureja douglasii, also known as Yerba Buena, meaning 'good herb'. Satureja douglasii is a small, easily overlooked, California native groundcover. It has 3/4" scalloped leaves, and gets tiny white flowers in the summer. It grows well in partial shade and prefers some summer water. Most notably, when crushed, it smells minty. Unlike mint, it's well mannered and does not become invasive in the garden. Native Americans used it to remedy indigestion, insomnia, fevers, colds, arthritic pain, and toothaches.
Today, people use Satureja douglasii because it's refreshing. Follow these easy instructions to make tea:
Dry leaves for 2.5 weeks
Crush into tiny pieces
Boil crushed leaves, using 2 tablespoons of Yerba Buena leaves for every 1 cup of water
Seep for 25 minutes, strain leaves, add a teaspoon of honey
Drink hot tea.
For more healthy herbal recipes, check out Celtnet.org:
http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/herb-entry.php?term=Yeba%20Buena
Comments