Herb Crazy

Last year I got it into my head to create some herbal tea mixes for my mother. It seemed like a good idea, I could do some mixes supposedly for her various ailments, and she would love the idea that I had created those for her. After all, how hard could it be – get plants traditionally known for certain things, mix them together until you have a pleasant taste, and voila!

As is my (*sigh*) habit I didn’t start small - I ordered 36 little plastic jars, and dozens of different herbs – made myself a cool looking herb wall against one wall in the kitchen, and started playing and tasting. And I found out it is a lot trickier than I would have thought to come with a pleasant taste. Needless to say my mother never got her tea mixes, I found other gift ideas, and have not used these herbs very much (apart from some very classic ones). Although this autumn when we both had the nasty-chest-virus-that-lasts-weeks, I made several cold-and-cough mixes which I have the illusion might have helped, at the very least it helped us drink enough hot water.

But somehow the idea keeps coming back, so why not share how far I have got just in case it helps someone?

A lot of these herbs are believed to help an awful lot of things at once, which doesn’t convince a sceptic like me (can one herb really help with the stomach, fever, the immune system, toothache, cramps, insomnia, and coughs?) but I am a big enough tea and herbal tea enthusiast that the idea of making my own mixes is one I keep returning to. I am still hoping to figure out these herbs, because there is something that appeals to me in giving someone a lovely package of mixed herbs saying “I thought of you so here is my ‘good mood for cold days’ tea”. I suspect that is the appeal of the revival of modern “witchcraft” which seems to be about tea mixes, scented herb pillows and the like. A link to nature and centuries of tradition, giving people a new way to say “i care about you and your problems, can’t do much so I will make this symbolic gesture – please remember that you are not alone and have people willing to help, every time you see that pillow or make a cup of tea”. Rather lovely put that way, even though I cannot take it seriously, it has its heart in the right place.

It was after all exactly the idea I had in making a tea mix for my mother.

Herb cheat list

I figure perhaps someone else can use this list – please look up online references for more detail.

I have deliberately left out herbs that are known to be problematic at higher doses, frankly there is no need to risk hurting oneself by using those.  I do list herbs that should not be taken by pregnant women, but if you are pregnant you should know by now to check everything prior to consuming it – In all cases, do your research! I’m not a pro and there could be tons of errors in this list. This is just for fun.

Herbs traditionally believed to help the immune system: Borage, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Sheep sorrel

Herbs traditionally believed to help for lungs and/or cough: Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Borage, Chamomile, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Elecampane, Elder, Ground ivy, Heather, Holy Thistle, Horehound, Hyssop, Irish moss, Jasmine, Marshmallow, Mullein, Oak Moss, Oregano, Red Clover, Speedwell, Star Anise, Turmeric, Witch Hazel, Watercress, Wood betony

Herbs traditionally believed to help for sore throat: Balm of Gilead, Blackberry, Caraway, Coltsfoot, Goldenrod, Lemon, Lime, Sage, Sheep Sorrel, Speedwell, Vervain, Witch Hazel, Wood betony, Yarrow

Herbs traditionally believed to help for colds and fever: Basil, Borage, Chamomile, Elder, Eucalyptus, Hibiscus, Motherwort, Plantain, Sheep sorrel, Witch Hazel

Herbs traditionally believed to help stomach, digestion, intestinal and/or appetite issues: Aniseed, Basil, Blackberry, Calendula, Caraway, Chamomile, Fennel, Hibiscus, Irish moss, Lemon Verbena, Lime Flower, Marjoram, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mint, Mugwort, Oak Moss, Raspberry, Tarragon, Yarrow

Herbs traditionally used for detox, bladder & kidneys: Blackberry, Butternut, Celery, Centaury, Cornsilk, Elecampane, Goldenrod, Grapefruit, Holy Thistle, Horsetail, Juniper, Raspberry, woodruff

Herbs traditionally used for relaxing, sleep, and improving moods: Damiana, Oat, Hawthorn, Heather, Jamaican Dogwood, Jasmine, Lemonbalm, Lime Flower, Marjoram, Motherwort, Mugwort,  Lemon Verbena, Passionflower, Red Clover, Star Anise, Tarragon, Vervain, woodruff, Watercress

Herbs traditionally used for skin: Balm of Gilead, Calendula, Chamomile, Chickweed, Hibiscus, Lemon peel, Lemon Verbena, Marshmallow, Oat, Sage, Thyme, Witch Hazel

Herbs traditionally used for various aches and pains: Basil, Butternut,  Calendula, Celery, Chickweed, Clove, Goldenrod, Ground Ivy, Hawthorn, Holy Thistle, Horehound, Horsetail, Lemonbalm, Meadowsweet, Motherwort, Raspberry, Turmeric, Vervain, Watercress, Witch Hazel, woodruff, Yarrow

Some of the above are scientifically documented, most have the circumstancial evidence of traditional practice (which means that it could be the placebo effect of being fussed over and drinking hot drinks) – most of the reason I am playing with teas is to create teas which taste nice and can be given a nice title, say “grumpy morning tea” or “sharing memories” or whatever :D. But when it comes to taste, there is very little information online or otherwise – what tastes nice with what, what needs covering, what is good at covering bitterness etc.

The taste list:

Here’s my conclusion so far – I am still working at building this list:

Herbs that have a bad or very strong taste or can turn bitter – watch your amounts: valerian (utterly vile, nothing can mask it), eucalyptus (nice, but overpowering), Caraway (i like it but many don’t), chamomile (i like it but a lot of people don’t), elder (can turn bitter), Holy Thistle (no taste except bitterness), Hibiscus (makes tea acidic), Rosehip (used a lot, makes tea acidic)

Herbs that taste like nothing (i.e. vague herby taste, bland, neutral): Horehound, Horsetail, Raspberry, Uva Ursi, Violet, watercress, Witch Hazel

Pleasant taste, herbs that add flavor or cover bad flavors: Aniseed, Basil, Blackberry, Calendula, Cinnamon, Fennel, Jasmine, Lemonbalm, Lemon Verbena, Lemon peel, Marjoram, Mint, Orange peel, Rose, Rosemary, Red Clover, Sage, Tarragon, woodruff

Some mixes I have used

simple wake up mix: Verbena, Mint, Lemon peel

traditional swiss mix: Lime flower, Orange blossoms, chamomile, orange peel

the only way i can stomach rosehip: rosehip, orange peel, fresh orange slices, sugar

traditional shepherd’s mix: Lime flower, verbena, lemon verbena, mint, orange blossom

after meal tea: fennel, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary, hyssop.

Summer tea:  mint, lemon balm, hibiscus, lemon peel, rose petals

The help-with-this-stupid-cough mix: Red Clover, Mullein, Lemon peel, Borage, Elder (small amount), Heather, Jyssop, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Sage, Lemonbalm for taste, Aniseed or Fennel seed, Juniper berries, honey (my invention, can also add pepper, cinnamon and/or ginger for warming)

Sleepy tea: Lavender, chamomile, heather, passion flower, orange blossom, catnip, vervain

Time for me: Rose, Marshmallow, Calendula, Heather, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Jasmine (my invention, still needs work)

My favorite: Oolong tea + orange blossom