How to Make Herbal Sun Tea
Summer offers us long, luxurious days and a plentitude of opportunities to connect with friends and loved ones. The expansive energy of summer can feel good. Other times, the heat and activities can leave us feeling overwhelmed, over-heated, frustrated, anxious and/or depleted.
In summer, the most yang season, we must balance the dynamic and warming yang energies with the cooling and grounding nature of yin. One way we can do this is by including herbs that bring moisture and cooling to our bodies. Herbs like hibiscus, peppermint, lemon balm and milky oats are excellent in nourishing and cooling over-heated nervous systems.
Making a sun tea is fun, easy and keeps me connected to the plants and flowers that come to their peak under the height of the summer sun. This particular sun tea looks very festive, tastes dee-licious, will keep you feeling cool, hydrated and grateful for the abundance in your life.
What you will need:
32oz mason jar & lid
30 oz of cool water
3/4 cup of dried hibiscus flower
3/4 cup of dried milky oats (or fresh)
5 freshly picked peppermint stems
5 fresh lemon balm stems
large wooden spoon to stir the herbs into the water
small cloth and rubber band to cover the lid while the tea extracts
Fill a clean mason jar with cool water. Add herbs one a time, pausing to thank them. Break up the stems and leaves of the fresh plant matter, allowing them to release more of their oils and constituents into the water. (You can also infuse the water with your prayers and intentions as you go.) Stir the water and herbs together a few times throughout the process. Cover the jar with a small, clean towel and rubberband. Allow the tea to set in the sun for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours. I like to leave mine out until the moon rises, this way the tea receives the energies of both sun and moon.
When the tea is ready, strain it and put it in a pitcher or clean jar. While the tea is still warm, add honey to taste, if you want to sweeten it. Place the strained tea in the refrigerator and enjoy it while it lasts. The ruby rich tones of this tea make it fun and festive to drink. It lends itself well to mocktails.
Want to learn more ways to stay happy, hydrated and calm this summer?
About the Herbs
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
A deep bow to hibiscus for infusing the water with their flame red essence. The red color of hibiscus speaks to its capacity to nourish the heart by way of law of signature. (The color that corresponds to summer is red.) Beautiful to behold, hibiscus is classified as a ‘refrigerant’ meaning it is cooling, moistening, and quenches thirst. It’s also very high in vitamin C. These beautiful hibiscus calyx came by way of Fox Haven Farm. If you don’t know FHF you must introduce yourself.
Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
Next up is the timeless medicine of Milky oats (avena sattiva). Millky oats are aptly named as the plant is harvested in its milking phase. It is this ‘milk’ that makes this herb incredibly soothing, nourishing and regenerative for our over heated nervous systems.
MO is deeply nutritive, gently calming and supports the endocrine system. This herb is classified as a nervine, meaning it supports and loves up on our nervous system to help us feel secure, grounded and safe. If you are suffering from anxiety, inssomnia, inflammation, addiction and/or burn out, seek out milky oats. It is your ally. Lastly, milky oats is also beneficial for menopausal related symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. As I said, MO is a timeless gem.
The milky oats we have in stock are also from Fox Haven Farm in Jefferson, MD.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm, a treasure of the mint family, brings a calming brightness to this tea. Lemon balm (melissa offiianalis) grows abundantly this time of year. Helping us remember the abundance and goodness in our own lives. Lemon balm is cooling, has anti viral properties and carries the warmth of the sun to lift your spirit.
The lemon balm we have in the shop is from Star Bright Farm in White Hall, MD.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
And last but certainly not least is the ever effusive peppermint. Peppermint is cooling, relaxing and uplifts the mind. Like its sister lemon balm, peppermint grows abundantly and helps us take in all of the abundance around us.
This juicy, red sun tea is an ideal beverage to keep you cool and balanced this summer. Cheers to a easeful and joyous summer season with time spent on the porch, sipping sun tea:)
Martha
