From the Herb Basket – 13

Did you know? lemon basil leaves are not only aromatic and flavorful, they can also be diabetic friendly and possibly aid in weight reduction.

Here’s a recipe for lemon basil tea:
3 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of dried lemon basil, 2 lemon slices, and 2 teaspoons of loose leaf green or black tea. In a sauce pan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat. Add the basil, tea leaves and lemon. Cover the pan with a lid for about 3 minutes and let the tea steep. Strain and discard, tea leaves, herb and lemon peel. Drink immediately. For fat burning- drink a cup first thing in the morning and go for a brisk ten minute walk. The combination of walking and drinking the tea will raise your fat burning metabolism for hours.

Infusing fresh basil leaves in olive oil:
Roughly chop about 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, place them in a pint jar and cover with a good quality olive oil. Cap the jar tightly, and place it in a cool, dark area. Gently shake the jar every other day. Allow the basil and oil to infuse for ten days. Strain out the herbs through a fine mesh strainer and discard the leaves. The oil will have taken on a delicious flavor. Combine the oil with vinegar for salads or brushing on a grill when cooking out.

The wonders of peppermint:
Peppermint tea is excellent for a bloated stomach. It relieves gas and indigestion. Excellent tea for a stomach virus, diarrhea, or as stimulant to increase mental alertness. A compress of dried peppermint leaves mixed with milk will help heal cold sores and pimples. Make a paste, pat it on and allow it dry for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a paper towel. Peppermint tea promotes “well being” and acts as a mild stimulator for increased circulation in the groin area. A cup of fresh peppermint tea a few times a week, will aid in a feeling of well being and vitality. The tea when consumed first thing in the morning acts as an energy booster for hours. Add a little organic honey to sweeten the tea and your life.

Sage advice:
Sage helps to quicken the senses and keep you alert, just by inhaling the wonderful fragrance. Drink a cup of sage tea 2 or 3 times weekly to ward off bladder infections in men and women. Sage strengthens the heart and makes an “cold compress” for headache. A gargle of warm water and crushed sage leaves will relieve bad breath and help prevent bleeding gums. In Medieval days, the wealthy brushed their teeth and gums with the branches of garden sage. A foot soak of 2 tablespoons of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried sage, and a gallon of warm water will relieve foot cramps; help heal skin infections and increase blood flow to the toes.

Bugs biting? Crush a few mint leaves between your fingers and rub the mint on the bites. It will soothe the bites and chase the bugs away.

Did you know? Orange marigolds and lemon scented thyme are favorites of the blue fairies [ the Fey ]. Make room in the herb garden for marigolds and thyme. Plant them in full Sun, and watch the fairies come at dusk.

June’s blooms have come and gone. July’s hot and hazy days are just ahead. Water well now, so the herbs and flowers won’t be stressed when the temperatures soar !

Blessed be, sweet ones.

~ Meadow Walker

You can get lemon basil tea here !