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Catnip (Nepta cataria)
For the past 6 years or so Jean and I have tried
to weed out the catnip that grows like crazy in the
back yard. Last year we finally decided to add
it to our list of tea ingredients. We harvested
what little that hadn't been weeded for winter trials.
Well I was so pleased. The taste is as smooth
as chamomile. It also blends well adding a
subtle note to other ingredients that lack undertones.
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Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
After reading about lemon balm several years ago
it was I gotta have. It grows very well in our
climate. As a tea ingredient we find the flavor
some what bla. However the effect of it in the
tea is pleasingly notable to the mind and body.
There is a slight sensation of the eyes opening a
little wider and at the same time the feeling that
the couch is a little softer. I
like it on chicken, baked or even fried.
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Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
We like both the flowers and leaves so much.
So far all that we grow doesn't quite make our own
winter supply. The plant is a fickle transplant
and somewhat tender. We intend to grow extra
and hopefully get some in this falls tea selections.
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St Johns Wort
My younger brother had a breakdown at work due to
stress. The doctors got him. Gave him
prozak and sent him back to work. It happened
again. The year off was probably the best he
ever had. He went back to work again. The
heart attack 6 months later was quick and fatal. RIP
Jim.
We have added St. Johns Wort to our own tea mix
thinking that a ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of doctors.
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Mint
A herbal basic. A friend gave us this mint.
We arn't exsactly sure what mit it is, but it's very
minty.
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Chamomile
A standalone great herbal tea. A plus
ingredient to add to any relaxing tea mix.
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Echinacea (Augustafolia)
What a lovly herb to grow. My small crop is
in it's second year and each plant has ten's of large
long lasting flowers. From what I understand it
will be at least one more year before harvest or
propagation is reasonable. We don't have it
started as a field crop yet but with this years seed
next years starts should go well.
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