Lets have a Cup of Tea!

I grew up in a family where every problem was solved over " a cup of tea"! Can anyone else relate to this?
I can still hear my Mum (and Grandmother too) say "Let's have a cup of tea" whenever emotions were running high and needed to be suppressed! I actually even hated the taste of tea back then, but looking back, maybe it wasn't about the tea!
There is another emotion associated with tea for me, as well......it can be a social event and usually comes with lots of freshly baked goodies, like cup cakes, scones and cookies. A real spread of Love from the kitchen, almost a Ceremonial occasion & not one to be missed; as a child in our house, it was usually served mid morning or mid afternoon, sometimes both! These beauties were full of white flour, butter, cream and heaps of sugar, no wonder our little bodies grew rounder as the years progressed........considered a sign of being a "Good" mother!
Back in those days, herbal teas were never served at home, so it wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I discovered the incredible array of teas available on the market, but also learnt that I could actually grow the herbs so easily & pick a few leaves to make a yummy hot drink.
The use of Tea for various ailments dates back thousands of years; China & India are just two of the many countries that come to mind that highlight the use of Teas for their medicinal properties; needless to say, I grew up in a "backwater " regarding herbal teas & their many uses, but this gave me the opportunity to discover their exciting uses for myself ! How Nature provides absolutely everything for our heath & well being...such a gift that is easy to take for granted.
Research supports Herbal teas as being the panacea for many common ailments, such as anxiety, depression, colds & fevers, inflammation & nausea just to name a very few.
As an example, here are 1/2 dozen well known herbs that are readily available & offer many medicinal benefits.
Feverfew:
This herb is aptly named, as a couple of leaves stepped in a cup of boiling water & sipped slowly, can reduce a temperature or fever. I grow this plant in my veggie garden as I love its little daisy like flowers and it acts as a companion plant for many vegetables.
Ginger:
I am sure many of you have ginger growing in your garden too, especially in warmer climates than ours. Ginger is known for its beneficial properties and can be used as a tea as well as in endless recipes, both Raw & Cooked. 1" of fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water is all it takes to bring relief from nausea or inflammation. Many use it to aid children with car sickness, or morning sickness in early pregnancy.
Parsley:
Parsley is a natural diuretic & is rich in minerals. It is used in many recipes, often not realizing it's health giving properties.
Peppermint/Mint:
These two herbs are commonly used as favourite choices for those enjoying a cup of herbal tea; 4 or 5 leaves are considered a great remedy for digestive issues & often are selected following a rich meal.
Camomile & Valerian:
These teas are sometimes taken before bedtime to help with a good nights sleep; the flowers of the camomile bush are used as the tonic.
Thyme:
Thyme helps with congestion and I have observed some people adding a little grated ginger & some honey to the tea to aid in a sore throat.

Chai Tea is very popular in many circles, especially on a cold winters night. I have discovered that this is easier to make than I had imagined.
Here is the Recipe I use:
I simply steep some black or green tea, about 8 cups makes a considerable amount. I then add 3 sticks of cinnamon, 20 split whole cardamon pods, 15 cloves, 6 slices of fresh ginger & a couple of teaspoons of orange zest. I then gently simmer this for about 30 mins filling our kitchen with a delightful spicy fragrance.
One then usually adds equal amounts of the strained chai concentrate and hot almond, rice or oat milk with perhaps a little honey for a delicious drink. The balance of chai concentrate will last in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
This tea originated in India and from my research, it seems to be a centuries old beverage and health promoting tonic for the whole body. It strengthens the nervous system, energizes the body, clears the mind & is considered a remedy & preventative measure for colds, allergies & other illnesses.

This photo from the internet, shows cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamon pods, ginger & orange zest all used to make Chai Tea. Enjoy!