When it comes to herbal medicines, teas are the gateway drug. They're easy and relatively harmless to make; plus, who can resist snuggling up with a warm cup of tea after a grueling day of farm chores? While teas from black to green to oolong have both flavorful and healthful qualities, herbal teas, aka tisanes, are one of a host of natural products that you can grow on your farm to boost the immune system and even treat common ailments, such as cold, flu, anxiety or digestive upset, without a trip to the pharmacy.
"It can be helpful to consume teas that contain nutrient-dense herbs on a daily basis because the nutrients are easily assimilated and are very nourishing," says Christa Sinadinos, a clinical herbalist and founder of the Northwest School for Botanical Studies.
Herbal teas can be made from any part of the plant-roots, leaves, flowers or stems-though the effective parts will vary among plants. If you decide to selftreat with a homemade herbal tea, it's important to use the correct part of the plant. It's also wise to consult a doctor or knowledgeable herbalist first. While most herbs can be safely consumed, some can interact negatively with medications or other herbs.
To make a warm, tasty treatment, crumble or break apart the part of the plant you intend to use. For teas that use aboveground portions of the plant, you'll make an infusion by placing the herb in a vessel, covering with boiling water and steeping for 15 minutes to four hours. (The longer the steep, the more medicinal qualities will be extracted.) For teas made from roots, you'll make a decoction: Place the herb in a pot and pour cold water over top. Bring the water to a boil, and the turn down to a simmer, steeping for an hour or longer.
Esta historia es de la edición Healing Herbs - 2023 de Hobby Farms.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Healing Herbs - 2023 de Hobby Farms.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The RISE of Opportunist WEEDS
Be prepared to see increasing changes in weeds we fight, such as poison hemlock and poison ivy, and in the crops we grow.
LIVESTOCK Health
Prepare yourself for how to spot symptoms of illness in your farm animals so that you can get them help before it's too late.
CUT FLOWER Farming
If you're considering growing flowers for sale, brush up on these five key things to know before diving in.
WINTER Survival
Keep your land, animals and yourself in good shape this winter with this helpful advice.
COVERAGE CONCERNS
Avoid common insurance mistakes for rural and hobby farm businesses.
FARMER'S GUIDE Berries
Set the stage for tasty strawberries, blueberries and brambles with these soil-boosting garden tips.
Preconditioning CALVES
Follow our step-by-step guide to get more money for your calves.
Soil Conservation
Often, outside of having a specific problem that needs to be addressed, soil conservation isn't something every farmer readily thinks about. Yet conserving the soil should be at or near the top of every farmer owner or manager's list of concerns because absent the prevention of soil erosion, we have the opportunity for another dust bowl.
Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes
It's easy to think of salad greens as just a spring- or fall-garden crop, but it's possible to enjoy freshly harvested lettuces, mustards and more from your own garden year-round.
Barn Improvements
Days are never long enough for a farmer. From dawn to well into the night, tasks arise that often require immediate action. Having to search for tools or equipment is an enormous time waster and incredibly frustrating when you can't find what you need, especially when you know you have it.
