We each venture to the tea cabinet for a warm cup o your favorite tea during the winters . Most of our teas and from herbs. There are many teas from trees I cunsome herbal and tree teas throughout the year. In the summer I might make a tea , set it on the counter in a pitcher and drink it at room temperature on a sunny afternoon.
I love Pine Needle tea made from the White Pine tree. The needles of this tree appearing in clusters of four are used to make this tea, It is rick n flavinoids, Vitamn A and Vitamin C Pine needle tea supports the respiratory system You actually chop 2 tablespoons of pine needles per one 8 ounce cup. Steep for 5- 10 minutes and drink hot or at room temperature I always add my own honey to my teas.
Three other trees orovide the necessary ingredients for may of our cough syrups. These are the Elderberry tree, Black Cherry tree and the Choke Cherry tree Elderberry perhaps is the one best known. I can imagine that 7Song ( my mentor/colleague and friend in Ithaca- Founder of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine ) has wild-crafted a branch of this tree. Removing the outer nark gives rise to the inner moist green bark ( which smells like almonds ) Shave and grind the dry nner bark and steep 1 teaspoon to every 8 ounces of water for 10 mintes. Ony drin when yu can still smell the almonds. If there is no almond smell discard the bark
I have three trees of Elderberry teas in my backyard in Black Rock CT The trees are between 4-5 years ago, I have not yet to make a herbal tea from the elderberry flowers I enjoy watching these trees bloom
Until tomorrow…