All these teas (unless specified) are brewed with one teaspoon of dried leaves or two teaspoons of fresh leaves into one cup of water. You should always steep the teas. This means pouring hot water over the teas and leaving for five to fifteen minutes. You should always dry the tea leaves and roots in the shade, in dark airy places. Then you should store the dried leaves in airtight containers.
Persimmon Tea:
a fine stark tea can be made from the persimmon leaves when dried and crushed. The leaves can be used all year round and are rich in vitamin C. Use Persimmon tea as a healthy tonic.
Sassafras Tea:
Boil the fresh Sassafras roots after you wash them, until the water turns reddish-brown. They can then be sliced and dried for use later on. Some claim this tea is a blood thinner, a blood purifier, may be a remedy for bronchitis, and is a stimulating cool tonic. Mostly this tea is used for pure enjoyment.
Birch Tea (Wintergreen):
Tea can be made from the The Black, yellow, and white birch leaves. Dried leaves can be used all year round for making tea. A large handful of fresh leaves steeped in hot water can be drunk( 1 to 2 cups a day) - for rheumatism and headaches. Birch tea is said to reduce the pain of passing kidney stones, and is said to be a fever reducer. If used cold, this tea can be used as a mouth-wash.
Blackberry or Raspberry Tea:
The dried matured leaves of these brambles make a good tea. This tea can be used to help control diarrhea, as a natural blood purifier and a healthy tonic. Use this tea all year.
Blueberry Tea:
The dry matured leaves are steeped until cool. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day as a blood purifier and a health tonic. Blueberry tea can be used to help inflamed kidneys and to increase the flow of urine. This tea can be a little bitter. Drink it all year.
Alfalfa Tea:
The dry and powdered leaves and flower heads brewed into a very nutritious tea, but can be a little bland. You can mix them with normal teas to stretch them out and add further nutritional value. This tea's vitamin content is very high.
Wild Strawberry Tea:
For this tea, use the dried leaves as per normal. Pour several cups of boiling water over a handful of fresh leaves in the afternoon. Cover the tea and let it brew overnight. In the morning, strain the water and reheat it. This tea is reputed to help with a multitude of health problems, such as stomach troubles, eczema and diarrhoea. According to experts, it is much more healthy than purchased coffee or teas.
Wild Rose-Hip Tea:
Gather a handful of these leaves, place in boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain, and make a healthy tea. The leaves can be used dried or fresh when in season. Instead of boiling, you can place a handful in cool water overnight, then strain and reheat in the morning. This tea has a very high Vitamin C content and helps with
Colds and the flu. It is also helpful for a sore throat.
Sweet Goldenrod Tea or Anise:
For this tea, you can use the dry or fresh leaves or the flowers. It makes a very flavorsome tea. This tea is very enjoyable!
Soldier's Herb Tea:
This common backyard weed has green leaves and two seedy spikes. It was used by the colonials and the Indians as well. One teaspoon of seeds per cup of boiling water brewed for a half hour is useful for dropsy and jaundice. To make this tea, use fresh leaves chopped fine. Place one heaped teaspoon per cup of boiling water anc steep for a half hour. If you have dried powdered leaves, use one level teaspoon and reduce the steeping time to fifteen minutes. Drink this tea four to five times a day until relief. This tea can be Used for gout, to help clean out nasal passages and to slow menstruation. It is also used to expel worms. A cooled tea made from rainwater can also be used as an eyewash.
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