Herbal Teas and their Uses 
These notes are merely a printed list of first herbs often used in tea form along with some words to help remind you of the sorts of benefits to be expected 

Alfalfa
* Digestive for protein.
* Reduces Acidity, Arthritis.
* Assists to reduce allergic reactions. (amino acids) 

Angelica
* Stomach Strengthener.
* Immunity protection from colds and flu.
* General Tonic for rheumatic complaints.(Cu, Vit A, Steroids) 

Aniseed
* Used as a digestive.
* Expectorant for hacking coughs and catarrh

Barley
* Demulcent qualities soothe the urinary tract for cystitis.
* Lemon barley water is a nutritious and diuretic drink. 

Basil- "The King Of All Herbs"
* Likes to have its foliage watered as well as its roots.
* Gives off its aroma without the leaves being crushed.
* Deters flies.
* Clears the head and brain.
* Use it sparingly and at the last minute for culinary purposes to prevent bitterness.

Bergamot
* Sometimes called Oswego .
* Contains thymol which makes it useful for sore throats.
* Use bruised leaves in a salad for piquant flavour. 

Borage "Herb Of Gladness"
* Promotes kidney and adrenal health when used fresh with salads.Chop finely after washing to remove "hairiness".
* The saline content helps reduce temperatures and fevers when taken as a hot tea. 

Black Currant
* Vitimin C, P and Folic acid. Dried Fruit, Ribena, Rocket Fuel 

Catmint (Nepeta Cataria) Not the Garden Variety
* Used as a mild sedative especially for children who suffer from nightmares, restlessness at night. Better when taken regularly.
* A favourite tonic for cats.
* Attracts Butterflies !!


Celery
* Don't waste the water that celery has been cooked in.
* Assists rheumatic problems.
* Kidneys and Mineral Balance (Ph, Na, Si) CAUTION 

Chamomile
"The Herb Of Humility"
* Vagus Nerve. Sleep, Abdominal Migraine, Allergies etc (A team)
* Chamomile tea ensures a soothed digetsive system and a good nights sleep.
* Mild enough to be used for children and babies.
* Add it to bath water to reduce redness and inflammation of the skin, including sunburn.
* Used as a rinse for a hair tonic,highlighting and perfuming blonde hair.
* Put any left over tea on the compost to keep it sweet.

Chicory
* Used in the floral clock as flowers open at sunrise and close at 2 pm.
* Leaves align themselves to the north -it is said to have great life giving qualities.
* Can be eaten as a vegetable.
* Used in conjunction with coffee to provide support to the liver.

Cinnamon
* Flavour, Clear the Head (brain)
* Cleanses the mouth and throat and can cure nausea if sipped slowly when warm.
* May prevent and alleviate the symptoms of colds. 

Coltsfoot
Bronchial. Tea and Smoked. 

Corn Silk
* Soothing for urinary complaints, cystitis and UTI
* Only useful when still green 

Couch Grass
* CAUTION This is not the couch grass that grows in our lawns.
* Diuretic and Bladder Sphincters 

Dandelion
* Liver, Kidney and Gall Support
* Acne, Allergies, Hepatitis, Chemotherapy (A Team)
* Use leaves in salads and juices.
* More potent in spring and summer 

Dill Seed
* Colic, wind-dispeller (dill water) 
* Gassy with Cucumber Cabbage etc.
* Used for fretful infants-carminative. 

Elder Flower
* A refreshing Tonic, Endocrine Balance, Soothing, * Stimulating and astringent as a skin cosmetic (A Team) 

Eucalyptus
* Respiratory - use as inhalant.
* Helps remove Fleas from animal sleeping areas 

Fennel
* Liver and Pancreas. Eye lotion. Wt Control 

Fenugreek
* Lymphatic - aid in digestion of fats.
* Sinus.
* Skin, Diaphoretic (choline and lecithin)
* Brings down a fever, take with garlic and echinacea.

Ginger
* Aids Digestion.
* Reduces flatulence

Ginseng
* Pituitary Stimulant -can create a feeling of wellbeing.
* This herb does not always have the same effect on all people. 

Golden Seal Mucosa Tonic, Digestive Spring Clean CAUTION 

Hawthorn
* Heart and Circulation. Safe Cardiac Tonic. 

Hibiscus
* Iron Copper and Vitimin C added to Rosehips. 

Hops
* Relaxant, Releases Nervous System Tension
* Some say if drunk first thing in the morning it will help a hangover headache.
* Usedas a poultice for boils and bruises. 

Hyssop
* A strong tea from leaves and flowers can reduce catarrh and congestion of the throat and nose.
* For the pain and bruising of black eyes a bunch of leaves in a muslin bag, immersed in boiling water and placed as hot as possible on the eye can reduce swelling and discolouration. 

Juniper CAUTION
* Oedema, Cystitis, (K) Blend with Celery and Barley.
* Diuretic. 

Lemon
* Vitimin C, Enzymes, Astringent Tonic
* A few sips of lemon tea can stop stubborn hiccoughs.
* Therapeutic aid to prevent clotting. 

Lemon Balm
"The Scholars Herb" * Powerfully attracts bees.
* Taken daily to improve memory and improve understanding of students.
* Diaphoretic, Over Heating- can be added to cool summer drinks along with mint to cool you down
* The leaves make a poultice for boils. 

Lemon Grass
* Used for clear skin and bright eyes.
* Use as a night cap with a little honey and lemon. 

Licorice
* Laxative. * Adrenal Exhaustion, Cortisone Antidote. * Soothing for stomach ulcers 

Linden
* Relaxant, Wind Down. 

Lovage
* Adds a celery flavour to stews and salads.
* May be used in the bath for its deodorizing qualities.
* A tea is helpful for rheumatic conditions, to stimulate the kidneys and remove waste products. 

Mate
* Smooth muscle and heart tonic.
* Satisfying enough to take the place of a carbohydrate snack.
* Helps one think clearly. 

Mints
* Digestive , aids in the bringing up of wind.
* Mouth wash-for sore gums and tongue.
* Cosmetic skin improvers when used as a lotion. 

Nettle
* Iron, Arterial Tonic, Anaemia, Low BP (A Team).
* Assists burns, insect bites ans skin irritations.
* May comfort rheumatic pains. 

Penny Royal
* Deterent to ants and their nests.
* Acts as a flea and mosquito repellent.
* A tea is helpful for depression with honey and a slice of orange.
* Garnish new potatoes with a few chopped leaves. 

Plantain
* May discourage the smoking habit for those anxious to stop.
* Wineglassful doses for diarrhea and haemorroids.
* Soothing for toothache when held in the mouth. 

Raspberry Leaves
* Tones uterine Ligaments, pre, during and post birthing 

Red Clover
* Spleen, Minerals and Blood Tonic, Cysts. CAUTION 

Rosemary
* Set the seed on Good Friday.
* Eases aching muscles when used in the bath.
* Rub oil lightly on temples to aid memory.
* Use as a final tonic rinse for hair .
* Rubbing on the oil can reduce dandruff. 

Rue
-"Herb Of Grace"
* Treat with care when handling as it can be inflammatory for sensitive skin.
* A weak tea can be taken internally and also used as an eye bath.
* Strengthens blood vessels including those in the eye.
* An insect repellent in the garden. 

Sage
* Best used fresh for culinary use.
* A tea strengthens the brain, memory and senses.
* Eat Sage leaves on bread with butter every day.
* Use as a rinse and tonic to darken grey hair.
* Cerebro Circulatory Tonic, Blood Brain. 

Sarsaparilla
* Low or inefficient hormone production. Both sexes. 

Senna
* A nonhabit forming safe laxative for anyone , following surgery, travelling etc.

Slippery Elm
* Muselage, Ulcers, Baby Food (A Team) 

Southernwood
* A tea from flowers and leaves can expell round worms from animals and humans.
* Dried crumbled leaves can keep moths away.
* Tea reduces bodily weakness and limb pain following the flu.
* Withstands grimy air and smog.
* Planted among roses can deter aphids. 

Thyme
* Rub Thyme oil on temples for headache resulting from tension and strain.
* A very powerful antiseptic.
* For sore throats and colds.
* An aid for singers and speakers, 

Valerian
* CAUTION
* It has very unpleasant taste and aroma.
* Valerain has strong sedative qualities in its roots.NB. they need to be dried and powdered before use.
* Strengthening to the nerves assisting the body to send calm and relaxed messages.
* Growing it draws earth worms close by.
* Rotten Vegetation, (Mag Phos) (A Team) 

Yarrow
"A Sacred Herb" * Soldiers Herb- closes and heals wounds and cuts. It is a natural Styptic.
* Emergency Pick - me - up.Have a cup when you wake up feeling ghastly.
* A tea of leaves taken very night before bed can break chronic cold symptoms, reduce a fever and prevent cramp after exercise in cold weather.
* A cup of tea can stop nose bleed.
* Used with Comfrey chopped into the compost for quick activation