Tease me with teas

I'm always coming up with a new herbal concoction to try out on myself. This combination, or that...just to see how things taste together. This morning, I did that with American Ginseng and Saw Palmetto, along with Nettles and Hyssop.

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has a longstanding use as an overall tonic. The Cherokee used it for headaches, vertigo, and nervous conditions. My needs are for the tonic properties it has, and it's strongly adaptogenic, which means that it makes other medicines work better. Saw Palmetto has been used to treat migraines, cough and cold, asthma and bronchitis, and a list of other things, but what I'm using it for is it's male tonic properties. It supports the prostate and has an action on the kidneys. The Nettles and Hyssop I threw in for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and as a blood purifier.

I took my kettle, filled it with about 6 oz. of good spring water, added a handful of ginseng root "smalls" (little, thin pieces rather than thicker chunks which I'd rather use in tinctures) and 10 or so of the Saw Palmetto berries. Put that to a light boil or a heavy simmer for 20 minutes, then poured that over the Nettles and Hyssop which I'd put into a tea bag (so I don't have to strain it later). I let that steep for another 20 minutes or so, then added some pure stevia extract to taste and more cool spring water to about 1/2 gallon.

I'll drink that in 6-8 oz. doses, several times a day (at least 3x/day) to give my health a quick boost. Far too many folks choose to drink poisonous sodas and other drinks every day. I do this instead. It's so much better for you!!

If any of you want me to throw together a quick batch of teas, I do this as a custom order type of service. Just shoot me a line on the website or on Facebook, and I'll do my best for you! I have an extensive (and growing) collection of dried medicinal herbs in stock. Click this picture to get to the website:

- John Hance, Master Herbalist