We are so used to buying packaged infusions and herbal teas that we do not consider the possibility of preparing some of them at no cost, taking advantage of spring and summer to collect fruits, flowers and leaves to be used fresh or left to dry and store for subsequent months.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous
We are so used to buy infusions and herbal teas packaged not to consider the possibility of prepare some of them at no cost, taking advantage of spring and summer to collect fruit, fresh flowers and leaves to use or to be left to dry and keep for the following months.
Some plant species, such as the mallow, chamomile and mint, they can be easily grown in pots, others, such as the dandelion, are probably already present in many of our gardens, while the More they can be collected during a picnic with family and friends. Especially if you will dry the flowers, leaves or fruits collected, you will find yourself having the raw materials to prepare free herbal teas all year round.
Index
Chamomile
It is the first infusion with which one usually gets to know as children and that grandmothers or mothers give to little ones before sleep or in case of minor disturbances such as headache or abdominal pain. It is possible to abandon the habit of buying the tea in sachets by choosing to grow chamomile (Chamomilla matricaria) in your garden or in pots. The infusion can be obtained from fresh or dried flowers. The flowers can be dried in the sun and stored for a long time in airtight containers. Quantity: one tablespoon of fresh flower heads or one teaspoon of dry flower heads per cup.
Mauve
An infusion that in its packaged version is usually advertised as emollient or soothing. Our grandmothers prepared a hot cup of it to defeat mild episodes of cystitis and consumed it during the day. For the preparation of infusions, both the flowers and the leaves of mallow (Malva silvestris) can be used. It can grow in pots or in our garden, or it can be collected in the meadows or along the edges of roads and paths away from traffic. Quantity: 6 g of flowers and / or leaves for 500 ml of water.
Mint
Mint (Mentha piperita) is very easy to grow in pots even by those who simply have a balcony or a windowsill at their disposal. From the mint leaves a refreshing infusion is obtained to be consumed preferably warm or cold and to which it is possible to add a few drops of lemon juice, which will give an extra touch of flavor. The mint tea can also be used to rinse in case of toothache or gum inflammation. Quantity: 10 fresh mint leaves per 500 ml of water.
Dandelion
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) or dandelion it grows spontaneously in lawns and gardens and can be harvested in spring in places away from traffic. The its roots can be harvested and dried for the preparation of infusions with purifying and digestive properties and used in the quantity of 30 g for a liter of water. Fresh flowers can be used for the preparation of herbal teas in the amount of 10 per cup.
blackberry
Blackberries can be used fresh for the preparation of infusions at no cost after having collected them from their bushes during a walk in the countryside or in the mountains. They will be enough five blackberries per cup, to be left to infuse in boiling water for about ten minutes to obtain a drink with a pleasant taste that can be enriched with the addition of a slice of lemon or sweetened to taste.
Nettle
Nettle leaves can be harvested in spring, with the help of gloves, and let it dry for the preparation of infusions with diuretic and draining properties. Collect nettles along paths or in meadows away from traffic. Nettle leaves can be used fresh in the amount of 10 grams per cup or a teaspoon of crumbled leaves if they have been left to dry.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) can be easily grown in pots or harvested in areas where its growth is spontaneous. The flowers usually come collected in late summer and left to dry. From lavender flowers, in the quantity of a teaspoon of dried flowers per cup, an infusion with calming and relaxing properties can be obtained.
Kratom
Like lavender, sage (Salvia officinalis) can also be grown in pots, making sure to prune it frequently to regulate its growth, or in the garden. Its leaves can be used fresh to obtain an infusion with a pleasant flavor and known digestive properties. It is recommended to use about five or six leaves per cup for its preparation.
Melissa
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) can be grown in pots or collected in spontaneous growth areas away from traffic. The flowering tops of lemon balm can be dried and used for the preparation of relaxing infusions in the quantity of one teaspoon per cup. For the same purpose, fresh leaves can be used, in the amount of 5 grams per cup.
Calendula
The flowers of calendula (Calendula officinalis) and its leaves can be used fresh for the preparation of infusions useful in fighting colds and coughs, in the amount of one tablespoon per cup. It can be grown in the garden or in the vegetable garden or be harvested in areas of spontaneous growth. Its leaves, like those of lemon balm, can be used in the kitchen to enrich soups and salads.
Marta Albè
