Homemade Herbal Infusions

As I delve deeper into the world of gardening and organics, I found a new way to save big bucks on tea. Grow your own herbs and brew your own tea. It's technically not tea, but an herbal infusion, as there is no tea in the brew. If you have started a vegetable garden, or even if you haven't, you surely have room for a few herbs. Easy to grow are mint, oregano, parsley, basil and rosemary. Other herbs to consider are lemon balm, sage, marjoram and chives. These herbs, and some edible flowers, can be combined many ways to make new and interesting teas. Each batch will be different, so keep experimenting. Below are some possible combinations and instructions for brewing.

• dandelion leaves, watercress, parsley and birch leaves
• rose petals, dandelion blossoms, pansies
• mint, lemon balm and rosemary
• ginger, lemon balm
• mint, rosemary, ginger
• chamomile flowers, mint leaves

Put a handful of the herbs in a glass jar or pitcher, fill pot with cold water

Sit glass jar in the sun, allow to steep 3-6 hours.

Remove herbs and refrigerate.

Tea may be served hot or cold. For a sweeter taste, add honey or simple sugar to the brew. I just made a brew of mint and lemon peel, and left it in the sun for about four hours. I mixed it with low calorie lemonade, for a new twist on the Arnold Palmer. The drink was minty and refreshing. Experimentation will lead to some great new tastes.