Joy Tea

I like herbs.  I dabble in herbs.

Have you ever dabbled?

I made a cough syrup once.  I THINK it helped, or was it a coincidence?

It smelled great.

I've been making my own hand salves too, maybe I'll get around to posting about that here some time.

It's not so hard.

Pretty little plants, pretty little flowers.  They make me feel happy.

This tea is called Joy Tea by its creator, herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

Such colors!  Such scents and flavors!

But the true test of an herbal experiment: did it live up to its name?  Did I feel joyful afterwards?

I submit that I did.

My kids drank it too, and for tea without milk and honey that is a big win.

Joy Tea
taken from Rosemary Gladstar

2 parts* chamomile
3 parts lemon balm
1 part hawthorne berries and/or blossoms
2 parts hibiscus flowers
2 parts rose petals (unsprayed)
1/8 part lavender flowers
1/8 part cardamom pods, chopped

This is a sun tea, ie one better made by submersing herbs in cold water and leaving in the sun to steep for a few hours than boiling on the stove.  To prepare place 4 - 6 tablespooons per quart of water in sealable container (mason jars!).  Place in direct sunshine.  Let sit for several hours or overnight. Strain and enjoy cold.

*I used 1/4 cup as my 'part' definition, which made just over 2 cups of tea mix.  Lots of tea!  J'approve.