hERBAL tEAS
​
​wHAT ARE THEY?

Herbal teas are not technically a true tea since they are not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant (used to create black, oolong, green, and white teas). Instead, herbal tea  is an infusion or blend of various leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers belonging to almost any edible plant.
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Infusion

Infusion is the process of extracting  flavors from plant material through immersion in liquids such as water, oil or alcohol through steeping. 
In terms of herbal teas, infusion is used to draw out the nutrients, health benefits and flavor of the edible plants used.
To make herbal teas through infusion simply place the plant edibles in a cup, add hot water, steep and then drain. 

Wild Berry + Garden Mint Tea

Jenna's Pink Brew

WildBerries 

BLUEBERRIES 

Information
A small dark berry ranging from violet to blue in color, blueberries begin life as small green buds and ripen into dark plump berries when ready to harvest.  There are two types of blueberries found in the Red Lake area: low bush blueberries (berries grow in clusters) and velvet-leaf blueberries (berries are spaced out). 
Blueberries come into season from mid August to mid September depending on nightly temperatures. They prefer to grow in places that get a lot of sun and can grow in areas from barren and sandy to areas with lots of moss and deadwood. Blueberries also grow in abundance in the footsteps of wildfires.

Parts You Can Use
The berries (fresh, frozen or dried)
​The Leaves (dried)

Health Benefits 
The berries: are low in calories but high in nutrients that have shown to help reduce DNA damage which can protect against aging and cancer. Blueberries have also been proven to help with brain function and improve memory. 
The leaves: can lower blood sugar levels to aid with diabetes.
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Velvet-leaf Blueberries
​Found on Pine Ridge 

CRANBERRIES: HIGH AND LOW BUSH



Information
There are two types of wild cranberries in our area: low bush cranberries (moss berries) that grow in mossy areas close to the ground; and high-bush cranberries (swamp berries) that grow on shrubs that prefer wet areas such as thickets and swamps.
Wild cranberries are the last berries to come out and be harvested in our area and  can often be used as a substitute for commercial  cranberries.

​Parts You Can Use
The berries (dried, frozen or fresh)

​Health Benefits
Wild cranberries are high in vitamin C and can be used for fighting infections within the body. 
 

Highbush Cranberries 
University of Maine

Lowbush Cranberries
Alaska.Org

​RASPBERRIES 

Information
A berry in small red clusters that grow on prickly bushes, raspberries love growing in sandy areas and can be often found boarding bush roads here in Red Lake. 
A mid summer berry, raspberries can be harvested in early July  right until the beginning of August. 

​Parts You Can Use
The berries: dried, frozen or fresh
The leaves: dried 

​Health Benefits
Raspberries are an anti-inflammatory and are often used in Woman's Tea Blends. Raspberry leaves are often dried to make herbal teas and are used for relieving both stomach aches and cramps.  
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Wild Raspberry
WildFoods

​STRAWBERRIES 

Information
Wild strawberries are very similar to cultivated strawberry only producing smaller flowers and fruit.Wild strawberries are sweeter then their commercial counterparts and can be found in sunny open areas with good irrigation. Strawberries come into season at the end of June (depending on season temperature and rain fall) or early July. 

​Parts You Can Use
The berries: dried, frozen or fresh
The leaves: dried 
The roots: dried 

​Health Benefits
The berries are said to protect the heart and lower blood pressure; strawberries are the most nutritious when eaten fresh. The leaves, when dried and made into tea, can be used to strengthen gums and clear the gut. It was also believed that dried strawberry roots and yarrow when brewed into a cold tea could cure madness. 
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Wild StrawBerry
KRCU
​Discover Nature: Wild Strawberries

wILD Edibles 
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Labrador Tea 

Northwestern Ontario has a vast abundance of Bog Labrador Tea. This variety of Labrador tea can be found in wet or boggy areas and can be harvested throughout the summer and into the fall. 
Bog Labrador tea has a  subtle fresh and earthy flavor and is best used as a base for tea making. It is considered a medicinal herb and can be used for soar throats, congestion and other cold like symptoms 
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​​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: dried 

Bog Labrador 

Pineapple weed  

A small herb that grows from sandy areas to the backyard pineapple weed is often considered a weed to the average person. However, pineapple weed or wild chamomile is a herb that can be used as a normal chamomile substitute and can be harvested at anytime through the summer and into the fall.
Pineapple Weed has a distinct chamomile taste with the subtle under tones of pineapple. When harvested rinse well to remove any toxins that might have been sprayed on them and avoid plants found in parks or on walking trails were pesticides are sprayed.  

​​Parts You Can Use
The flowers: dried or fresh  
​

Pineapple Weed 

Wild Rose 

Varying in colour, wild roses flower across Northwestern Ontario  and thrive in shaded wooded areas. Wild roses tend to bloom and flower in June and July and grow the dark red berry-like rose hips in August and September, both are excellent for making wild teas.  
In teas the petals and often young buds of roses and other wild flowers are used to create both a subtle floral aroma and taste. Rose hips have a stronger earthy flavor with an after bite that gives a stronger body to teas  

​​Parts You Can Use
The flowers: (petals and buds) dried  
​Rose Hips: fresh or dried

Wild Rose 

Garden Herbs

Bergamont 

Also called Beebalm because the large purple flowers are a magnet for bees, Bergamont has  a rich floral and full bodied flavor that is often used in commercial teas. Both the leaves and flowers can be used and the plant can flower anytime from June to September. The flowers when steeped in hot water for long periods can dye teas a deep pink.

​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: fresh
The flower: fresh 
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Local Bee Balm 

Lavender 

A popular ingredient in most commercial teas lavender is known to be used as a sleep aid or calming agent and is often seen as as key ingredients in sleepy time teas.
Lavender has a unique floral taste that can become overpowering if too much is added, it is paired well with subtle and earthy flavors.  

​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: dried or fresh 
The flowers: dried or fresh

French Lavender 

LEMON VERBENA

Lemon verbena is a garden herb that gets it's name from the distinct lemon smell it gives off when the leaves are rubbed. In teas lemon verbena has a distinctly fresh citrus taste and is often used to counteract flu like symptoms. It is best used freshly picked.

​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: dried or fresh 

Lemon verbena

Lime Balm

Lime balm  gets it's name from the distinct lime smell it gives off when the leaves are rubbed or torn. Lime balm has a subtle lime flavor and is best paired with mint or pineapple weed for a fresh summer taste. Lime balm in teas is often used as a digestive aid and is best to drink after a heavy meal. It is best used when freshly picked.
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​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: dried or fresh 

Lime balm

Mint 

Mint is a popular herbal tea blend is often used to aid with stomach aches or act as a calming agent. Mint plants have both a distinct minty smell and flavor and are best used when fresh.

​​Parts You Can Use
The leaves: dried or fresh

mint

How to create 
your own Tea Blends 

Tea blending is a fine art that involves a number of components ranging from flavour to medicinal purposes. 
While the field is wide open for whatever herbs and flowers  you want to try, most good herbal tea blends follow a structure to provide for a range of tastes. 

1) Flowering Notes: the subtle flavor that peeks out behind the more heavy bodied base of the teas  and is often the first scent that comes from the tea blend (lavender, wild rose, pineapple weed). 

2)Placeholder Flavor: the flavor that ties everything together and keeps a tea tasting strong or teas body (raspberry leaves, Labrador tea, bergamont). 
 
3)Fruity Component: a fruity or naturally sweet component often used to complement the subtle flowering notes or soften the bite of the placeholder flavor (strawberry, blueberry)

4) Cooling Herb: are often used to round off the tea blend and is often the last thing you taste (mint, lemon verbena and lime balm)

Dark Wild rose Blend

Black Teas:
RECIPES by the Cup

 ​Dark Wild Rose Blend 
A dark floral black tea with hints of bergamont. Best served hot.
​
1) 1 tbsp loose black tea leaves (favorite variety)
2) pinch of wild rose (fresh or dried)
3) pinch of bergamont petals (fresh or dried)
​4)Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets 
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Black Fruit Teas 
Fresh and fruity black tea with a lemony twist. Best served hot or as an iced tea.
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1) 2 tbsp loose black tea leaves(favorite variety)
2) pinch of desired dried fruit (raspberry, blueberry strawberry etc.)  
​3) pinch of torn lemon verbena (dried or fresh)
​4)Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets 
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Herbal Teas:
RECIPES BY THE Cup 

 Jenna's Pink Brew
A fresh summer blend with a distinctly fruity and floral
flavor. Best served cold. 
​
1) 1 tbsp Blueberry Leaves (dried) 
2) 1 tbsp mix of Strawberry, Raspberry and Blue berries (fresh)
3) torn Lemon Verbena and Lime Balm (fresh)
4) pinch of Lavender and Rose Petals  (fresh)
5) Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets
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Wildflower and Honey
A delicate floral blend perfect for soft summer mornings. Best served hot.
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1) 1 Tbsp Raspberry leaves (dried)
2)pinch of desired wild rose
3) pinch of pineapple weed 
​4) two pinches of other desired wild flowers (violas, daisies, clover etc) 
​5)Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets
6) mix 1 1/2 tsps of honey
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Medicinal Teas:
​RECIPES BY THE Cup

Sleepy Time 
A delicate blend perfect for bed time. best served warm.
​
1) torn mint leaves (fresh)
2) torn lemon verbena (fresh)
3) 1 tsp lavender (dried or fresh)
​4)​Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets
5) mix in a 1/2 tsps of honey
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Cold Fighter Green Tea 
​A warm tea perfect for helping with  cold and flu like symptoms. Best served warm
​
1) 1 tbsp labrador tea (dried) 
2) 1 tbsp raspberry leaves (dried)
3) 1 tsp moss berries (dried or fresh)
4)torn mint or lime balm (fresh)
​​5)Add 1 cup hot water; let steep 5 minuets
6) mix 1 1/2 tsps of honey

After Dinner Indulgence 
​A simple tea to counteract stomach aches and aid with digestion after a too large meal. Best served warm.
​
1) torn mint leaves 
2)add 1 cup hot water; steep for 5 minutes 
3) 1 tsp honey