Healing Herbal Teas: A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages

by Brigitte Mars

In quick-study format, this book profiles 45 common herbs with extraordinary healing potential. Each profile outlines the herb's major constituents, physiological effects, traditional applications, contraindications, and flavor, as well as its growth habits both in the wild and in the garden.

Genres: Tea, Health, Nonfiction, Cookbooks

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2005

About the author

Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and natural health nutritional consultant. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University and at the School of Health Mastery in Iceland. She is also a psychedelic sitter and end-of-life doula.

Mars has published many books and DVDs about natural medicine.

Reviews

[Karlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I refer to this book frequently- it's one of the most user friendly intros into herbalism. Mars gives enough time to the preparation of herbal brews, but then jumps right into easily referenced sections about the different herbs. Half the book is various recipes for healing teas. I appreciate that she didn't waste my time screwing around in the Intro. She was direct and no nonsense. It's worth having a copy for the recipes alone.

[M]

A nice intro to herbal teas, very light on the science and with many many recipes, as well as a list of plants and their effects and components.

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Asthma Relief Tea
Breathe deep the breath of life. 2 parts green tea leaf 1 part elder berry 1 part fennel seed ½ part fenugreek seed ½ part licorice root

Canker-Sore-Be-Gone Tea
Antiviral herbs can reduce inflammation and encourage cold sores to disappear quickly. 2 parts calendula flower 2 parts lemon balm 1 part green tea leaf 1 part raspberry leaf 1 part sage herb ½ part licorice root

Headache Tea
This combination of herbs can help relieve the pain and inflammation of a throbbing head. 2 parts chamomile flower 2 parts peppermint leaf 2 parts lemon balm herb 1 part rosemary leaf ½ part dandelion root

Menopause Relief Tea
Count on your herbal allies to help you ease through the changes in life. 2 parts nettle leaf 2 parts oat seed and/or oatstraw 2 parts raspberry leaf 2 parts red clover flower 1 part dandelion root 1 part fennel seed ½ part licorice root

Menstrual Cramp Tea
These herbs help calm spasms and relax the abdomen. 2 parts chamomile flower 2 parts oat seed and/or oatstraw 2 parts peppermint leaf 2 parts raspberry leaf 1 part dandelion root 1 part ginger root

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource and one of the most concise introductions to the energetic of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that I’ve come across. Wonderfully relatable text and easily digestible or those new to herbalism. For the more advanced practitioner, the reference offers an abundance of beyond-the-basics type applications such as hair rinses and sitz baths. My favorite aspect of the book is the fact that TCM energetics are notated for each herbal entry so you can be sure you are formulating appropriately and synergistically. I borrowed this from the library but will purchase a copy ASAP for my home Apothecary!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the benefits of tea, but I don't think I will be able to find a store nearby that sells many of these herbs so I won't be actually making any of the recipes.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent materia medica section. Lots of interesting tea formulas for a variety of uses.