Tea is probably the most ancient of herbal preparation known to humankind. For all of my years of practice making herbal preparations, I still find the medicine in a cup of tea to be strong and effective in many ways. Just the simple act of making tea can create much needed restorative moments of presence within the fabric of our busy lives.

Tea blending is an art, practice, and skill that anyone can learn. I don't follow any steadfast rules, but instead, use my intuition and foundational knowledge of plant properties, taste, and the overall effect I'm hoping the tea will convey. This means that I basically just go into my pantry where my dried herbs are stored and grab whichever jars I'm in the mood for. Some days there is some central issue I want to address with my tea such as an upset stomach, joint pain, winter blues, or a cold/runny nose/cough. The number of herbs required is also dependent on the day and can range from simply one herb or several.

To blend an herbal formula, once I've chosen the herbs for the day, I generally don't measure with "actual" measurement devices, although you certainly could and that might be preferrable if you're new at tea blending and want to get a consistent sense of amounts. I use my fingers and hands to make "a handful of this" and "a pinch of that" which makes it a challenge to repeat the same blend twice but that is not usually my goal. I use more of foundational herbs that are not overpowering in flavor and from which I want the majority of the medicine to be derived, and less of stronger tasting or more potent herbs, for instance, Ginger or Pepper are strong so I'll use less; Nettles has a more subtle flavor and I often want alot of it because it is highly nutritious. Sometimes just a pinch is all that is required. Below are some tea blends from the past few months that I have previously posted on social media. I've converted my "handfuls" to cup measurements and each blend is intended for a 1 quart tea/coffee press.

Basic tea making instructions are to place the herbs in a teapot, tea strainer, or tea press; pour boiling water over; steep for 10-15 minutes; press. The below blends are measure for 1 quart of water. To make one cup just use 1-2 teaspoons of the blend.

The herbs I use are primarily wildcrafted or grown in my garden, but for exotic herbs and spices or if I run out of something essential I do order from reputable sources which I will list at the bottom.

Today's Tea Blends

Red Tent Tea

Served at our April Crystal Valley Red Tent

¼ Cup Nettles

¼ Cup Tulsi(Sacred Basil)

1/8 Cup Linden

1/8 Cup pink roses

1/8 Cup Cardamom

1 tsp. Hawthorne Berry Powder

2 tsp. Whole Cloves

Winter Blues Tea

½ Cup Tulsi

¼ Cup Lemon Balm

1/8 Cup Goldenrod

1/8 Cup Calendula

2 pinches of Wild Roses

1 pinch of cardamom

Snowed In I Thought It Was Spring Tea

½ Cup Tulsi (Sacred Basil)

¼ Cup Wild Rose (for us it's Multiflora Rose)

2 tsp. Reishi powder

2 tsp. Hawthorne Berry powder

½ tsp. Ginger

2 tablespoons of Cocao powder or your favorite Hot Chocolate blend

Belly Ache Tea

½ Cup Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

¼ Cup Plantain

1/8 Cup Calendula

1 tsp. Anise Seed

1 tsp. Turmeric Powder

Pinch of Lavender

Berry and Lemon Balm Lung Support Tea

¼ Cup Tulsi (Sacred Basil)

¼ Cup Lemon Balm

¼ Cup Goji Berries

1 teaspoon of powdered Turmeric

Herbal Supplies and Sources

New York State

Jeans Greens: Dried herbs, tea strainers, tea presses, supplies

Healing Spirits Herb Farm: dried herbs

Large Suppliers Outside of New York

Mountain Rose Herbs: dried herbs, tea making supplies

Pacific Botanicals: dried herbs

"Today's Tea" Blends