Warm greetings all. 🙏💚
In previous posts I've mentioned some of the many ways that I work with my beloved plants. One of my favorites is making medicinal and healing teas from a great many diverse plant taxa, both wild and cultivated, that are found on the 18-acre, off-grid food forest intentional community, way out in the jungles of Lower Puna, on the Eastern tip of the Big Island of Hawai'i, where I've lived for over three years now. Im always exploring and researching the different uses for the plants I know, and discovering and learning about new species, with which I am not yet familiar.
I make medicinal teas out of a great many species and varieties, in multitudinous combinations. I'm always experimenting with new combos. The batch that I describe here is a new experimental blend. I use all of the plants in this mix often, just in other combinations; not together. This is my first time making this particular combo.
I created this blend of plants with a focus on plants that have a relaxing and balancing effect in the body. Mind you, all of these plants have a lot of other uses and benefits besides those two listed, however, their individual and synergistic support for rest and balance is quite notable. They all either relax the system, or they act in a globally adaptogenic manner, balancing the system where it might be out of balance, or both!
Here's a list, with photos of the plants, that are in this tea. All of the plants were collected today, from the land on which I live.
Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort
Mimosa pudica - Sensitive Plant, Sleepy Grass (not a grass)
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Krishna Tulsi/Holy Basil
I included this photo to show the two different clones of Krishna Tulsi that I have. One (left) has larger, shinier, darker purple leaves, with a more upright habit and very vigorous growth. The other (right) tends to grow in a more spreading fashion, with generally smaller leaves, of a more muted color, and not quite as much vigor.
Ocimum gratissimum - Vana Tulsi/Holy Basil, Clove Basil, Tree Basil (it can get over 10 feet tall!)
Salvia elegans - Pineapple Sage
The jar of chopped leaves just after adding hot water. I'll let it steep for several hours.
The tea, after several hours of steeping, just after pouring out. I put it in the refrigerator for a while, to chill it before I drink it this evening. I love chilled teas!
This is the jar that I'm drinking tonight. First time trying it. It has a really nice, and very curious, flavor. I'm only a few sips in and I'm already feeling that relaxed, mellow feeling spreading in my body. Potent stuff.
Well, I'm about half way through the jar, and I can say from personal, experimental experience that this combo of plants seems to work very well indeed, and quite quickly, in line with its intended purpose. I'm curious how it will affect my sleep tonight. I'm feeling better and better in my body the more I drink. My body likes this blend.
Thank you all for joining me on my experimental tea adventure, and for sharing a bit of magic from my world. I hope that you found it interesting and useful. 🙏 💚
Tagging @kai-sunrise! Hopefully she'll join!