Medicinal Tea
Words–
Nat Woods
@nat.woods_
Photos–
Georgia Blackie
@georgia.blackie
Muse & Recipes–
Erin Lovell Verinder @erinlovellverinder
Taken from Plants for the People: a modern guide to plant medicine
Originally published in Paradiso Issue 13
I love nothing more than a nice cup of tea – even on a steamy hot summer’s day, I’ll gladly sip a piping hot cuppa. And of course, we all know that more can be gained from cups of tea than just a comforting beverage. Erin Lovell Verinder’s beautiful new book, ‘Plants for the People’ is an invitation to explore the world of plants as medicine. As the book hits the shelves this month, we share
four of Erin’s tea recipes, all selected for their ability to lift your spirits. To enjoy these teas, Erin recommends pouring boiling water over the dried or fresh herbs and steep for 10-20 minutes before straining out the plant material.
Wise woman
For the wonder women, a crisp green garden of goodness! This tonifying combination fortifies the yin forces within, bringing gentle support to the adrenal glands, balancing hormones and grounding the nervous system.
2 parts lemon balm
2 parts nettle leaf
1 part motherwort leaf / flowers 1 part mugwort leaf / flowers
1 part sage
1⁄2 part dried lemon peel
Bright light
Lifting the fog and easing the blues, the sunshine chalice, St John’s wort, permeates the spirit with a sense of lightness, paving the way for light to shine in.
3 parts St John’s wort flowers / leaf / stem 3 parts lemon balm
2 parts oat straw
Cloud nine
A heavenly blend to raise energy levels, stimulate high vibes and eradicate dullness of the mind, body and spirit.
3 parts yarrow leaf
2 parts tulsi leaf
1 part yarrow flowers 1 part peppermint
1 part rose petals
Warmth of the sun
Rich in nutritive herbs and antioxidants, this nourishing tea is best brewed in the glory of the sunshine. Adding raw honey to taste when the tea is ready rounds out the tang and makes this one easy-to-drink tonic!
3 parts raspberry leaf
2 parts red clover flowers 1⁄2 part dried orange peel 1⁄2 part rosehips
1⁄2 part hibiscus flowers honey (optional)
