There will be days like this...^^
I love designing foods and teas, even clothes, etc.
Gardens..
(I guess I'm a sort of designer. Definitely design with clay. I remember one of my earliest pieces of ceramics I made in college and wonder where the heck that ended up. It was a celadon glaze, asian design sugar container with a lid that was a creamer. I really liked that piece. Hmm. I do wonder and now I think I have to go into the studio and make another).
I think we are all designers at heart.
Back to herb teas, this is my favorite, I use hibiscus petals, dried, and anise stars, with lemon grass. I'll list healing properties at page bottom..with links to those sites. suffice it to say that this tea works for insomnia, digestive disorders, and as a diuretic, to name a few. But hibiscus can be used topically as well for hair loss for instance. Take a look. and Beware, it is delicious! I make it evenings usually.
Possibilities with anemone mums, tree with photo, you have to see this.
Where I buy mine...Kings Mums, Oregon City Oregon..
The fuchsia attracts hummingbirds. We love our hummingbirds, and spend time watching them and plant special flowers for them, one they love here a lot is croscomia.
Aniseed is esteemed in medicine for its properties to relieve flatulence and to remove catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. These properties are due to the presence of its essential oil. The seed also induces copious perspiration and increases the volume and discharge of urine.
Aniseed should not be boiled too long as it may lose its digestive properties and essential oil during the process. The seed are used to flavor curries, sweets, cakes, cookies and biscuits. Anise oil is employed in medicine as an aromatic carminative to relieve flatulence. Being a mild expectorant, it is used as an ingredient of beverages and liqueurs. It is a popular flavoring agent for dental preparations and mouth washes.
Digestive Disorders - Aniseed is an ideal medicine for expelling wind from the stomach. it can also be taken, in combination with other digestive like ginger, cumin and pepper, in the form of an infusion. Gripe water for infants contains aniseed extract. An easy way to prepare the infusion is to mix a teaspoon of aniseed in a cup of boiling water and leave it covered overnight. The clear fluid is then decanted and taken with honey. This is an ideal treatment for indigestion, especially when there is gurgling in the abdomen. It is also useful in preventing gas and fermentation in the stomach and the bowels. more here,,,,
The flowers contain substances that can reduce fever, relieve pain, inhibit spasm activities and work well as an antioxidant. The roots are used to cure coughs. Complex extracts of hibiscus can reduce skin cancer, inhibit the Herpes virus and reduce cholesterol.
Scientists have also discovered it might have good results in increasing male and female fertility.[5]
General uses of Lemongrass• Cough, cold & sore throats
• Anxiety
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Colitis
• Digestion
• Rough, dry, scaly skin
• Acne
• Constipation
• Kidney detoxification
• Insomnia
• Relaxation & deep sleep
Healing Properties and Benefits of Lemongrass
Lemongrass has many health benefits and healing properties containing many compounds, oils, minerals and vitamins that are known to have anti-oxidant and disease preventing properties.
The primary chemical component in lemongrass is citral which has strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
Lemongrass therefore inhibits microbial and bacterial growth in the body, both internally and externally, helping to prevent and cure bacterial infections in the colon, stomach, urinary tract and respiratory system.
Its leaves and stems are high in folic acid and essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1).
Lemongrass also contains many anti-oxidant minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Lemongrass oil when used in aromatherapy restores and revitalizes the whole body, helping to relieve the symptoms of headaches, body-aches, nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions.
Lemongrass tea can act as a diuretic and is highly effective in flushing toxins and waste out of the body; improving the function of many different organs including the liver, spleen and kidneys.
It can help you lose weight by shedding unnecessary water along with the impurities. This allows you to have more energy and process fat more effectively.
Many people use lemongrass as a calmative agent; to help them deal with anxiety and nervousness People who suffer from Insomnia report its ability to help them rest and sleep deeply.
Lemongrass may also have effects on cancer cells. There are many studies online and in medical journals illustrating how lemongrass kills cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Ayurvedic Properties of Lemongrass, more here....
d Kapha dosha and has a neutral effect on Vata dosha. It is sattvic in nature. It gives one a sense of calm while restoring and revitalizing the mind and body.