(Not) tea joy

Of course, technology has long allowed us to isolate the active components of plants and offer them to us in the form of capsules and extracts, but making your own herbal tea is much more pleasant. The special charm of herbal teas is that they have a wide spectrum of action: anti-stress, tonic, enveloping, able to prevent headaches and stomach problems. They purify the lymph and blood, restore mucous membranes, improve immunity and can save you from many chronic diseases that are typical for residents of a big city.

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The drink is ready

Herbal teas are otherwise called the French word “tisanes” (tisanes). There are several world famous brands specializing in their production. Tizany Dr. Stuart’s are named for the herbalist Malcolm Stuart who formulated them. Their quality is guaranteed by the German pharmaceutical standard DAB 10 grade herbs, recognized in the world as the most stringent. Clipper’s tisanes are organic and made without the use of any chemicals. Herbal teas from l’Herboristerie d’Orgeval are created according to old recipes: their assortment includes, for example, the famous Tisane du Berger – a collection made up of lime and orange flowers, verbena and mint. Ready-made tisanes can be bought at Azbuka Vkusa and Globus Gourmet supermarkets.

It is advisable to have on hand several duty collections from your favorite plants, carefully prepared with your own hands or bought at a pharmacy. To choose the right herbs, you can use phytoencyclopedias or consult a herbalist. Despite the complexity of the “science of herbs”, there are general recommendations that allow you to use such a gift of nature as herbal tea.

Infusion or decoction

We prepare the infusion by pouring boiling water over fresh or dry plants (leaves, seeds, flowers, etc.), covering with a lid and leaving to infuse for several minutes. This method is especially suitable for delicate plants and flowers.

The decoction is made as follows: pour the plants with cold, warm or boiling water and boil for several minutes – the time depends on the properties of the plant. This method is used for tougher plants or their parts, such as bark, seeds, roots. It will be necessary to grind vegetable raw materials more carefully so that it better releases the useful substances contained in it.

Fee Announced

There are many myths and misconceptions around herbal medicine. For example, that herbs can be consumed whenever you want, as much as you like and in unlimited quantities. In fact, prolonged use of the same herb can lead to a kind of allergy, just like an “overdose” of, say, orange juice. You should not, for example, drink St. John’s wort too often – it stimulates the adrenal glands. And for women on critical days, it is better not to drink lemon balm – it increases bleeding.

Only rose, mint and thyme have a very mild, but invariably positive effect. For herbal tea, it is better to take not individual plants, but collections – their recipes are usually designed in such a way as to make the combined effect of all herbs soft, balanced and effective. Others are added to the main component, which enhance and compensate for its effect. The number of herbs in collections can reach up to 10.

Let’s say you have a sore throat: take a herb that suppresses the virus and removes phlegm, such as sage. To it we add an anise that softens mucous and thyme that thins sputum. It turns out a wonderful anti-cold collection.

In our mini guide to herbs, we have included the most affordable plants, tea from which will not only be useful, but also very pleasant. It also lists some companion herbs that enhance the properties of the tea.

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• Brew herbal tea