Friday, September 25, 2015

Sunkissed Infusions :: Herbal Teas for Health, Happiness & Energy

Sunkissed Dream // 4 Recipes for Herbal Teas promoting Health, Happiness & Energy


Herbal teas, or infusions, have wonderful healing powers. I've found a new love for tea since I started my journey to a more self-sustainable and natural lifestyle.
Drinking an infusion of specially selected herbs can be a great remedy for anything from a headache to a cold to menstrual cramps. You can drink them to promote general health and ward off colds and other sickness. Or you can simply make and drink them for their delightful and lovely look and taste. 

Sunkissed Dream // 4 Recipes for Herbal Teas promoting Health, Happiness & Energy

Here's 4 different infusions that I made recently for an Open House I hosted for my natural skin care business. Some were more popular than others (as far as taste).
I invite you to try these, or versions of these! I also invite you to research these herbs. I'd look into Mountain Rose Herbs, a well respected company that has in depth information and sells of all of these and A LOT more.
If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have a serious health issue,
be sure to contact your doctor before using any herbs.
 

  • ROSE (Rosa spp.) + HIBISCUS (Hibiscus sabdariffa) + LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) - This was a favorite!
    Lifts the spirit and promotes good health and positive energy
  • YARROW (Achillea millefoleum) + RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus idaeus) + GREEN TEA
     Energizes and boosts immunity
  • NETTLE LEAF (Urtica dioica) + CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis) + PEPPERMINT (Mentha spp.)
    Helps relieve hay fever, congestion & colds
  • LAVENDER (Lavendula spp.) + LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) + CHAMOMILE (Matriaca chamomilla) + BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)
    Helps relieve headaches and stress
Sunkissed Dream // 4 Recipes for Herbal Teas promoting Health, Happiness & Energy


For the above infusions, I prepared them like this:
  •  one part each herb (totally about 6-8 tbsp dried herbs, 8-10 for fresh herbs)
  • put herbs into a quart size (or larger) glass jar with a tight fitting lid
  • fill the jar with boiling water (should completely cover the herbs)
  • let sit for 20-30 minutes (the longer they sit, the stronger they will be, and their taste can change dramatically)
  • strain herbs into a clean glass container, with a muslin cloth (best so you can squeeze out extra infusion) or a fine mesh strainer
  • finally, enjoy a cup hot or iced- with honey, lemon, milk, agave, or all of these!
  • You can pour the remaining infusion into a clean container and put in the refrigerator where it will keep for a couple of days
Sunkissed Dream // 4 Recipes for Herbal Teas promoting Health, Happiness & Energy

Another way to create a lovely and medicinal tea is to simply use a teapot with a filter in it, fill a reusable tea bag with your chosen herbs, or place the herbs right into the teapot if you like the way the beautiful herbs & flowers look floating around!
I usually use my glass teapot that I got on this page - or this one
Fill it with about an ounce of dried herbs (2 oz for fresh) and 12-16 oz water, bring to a gentle boil, let sit for 20 minutes, strain into your teacup, then enjoy!

Sunkissed Dream // 4 Recipes for Herbal Teas promoting Health, Happiness & Energy

If you don't have these herbs handy or can't get them at a store near you (check your local health food store), I'd suggest purchasing them here or here.

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HAPPY INFUSING!
Until next time, keep dreaming. xo





Thursday, September 3, 2015

Sunkissed Quotes :: John Muir

John Muir Quotes || Another Glorious Day || on Sunkissed Dream

Beautiful words from John Muir on this Thursday afternoon.
If you ever want to read beautiful things about our beautiful, natural world, get one of his books or look up his quotes on google.
Photo is from my spot on the beach yesterday- my husband and I snuck away for the morning to Santa Cruz. I did yoga on the beach for the first time - it was amazing and I wish I could do yoga on the beach EVERYDAY! 

Have a beautiful and fun Labor Day Weekend, dreamers!
Until next time, xoxo