spring tonic tea

T’s Tonics Spring Tonic Tea 

I know I get anxious as spring comes nearer to do some cleansing and "lighten up the load".  

Since I always like to know what the herbs I am putting in me are supposed to be a tonic for, I thought this might help you too.  You can create a similar tea of your own or e-mail me for this one.  

It is lovely anytime of year, but designed for spring issues, allergies and cleansing.  Licorice, anise and green tea make it a flavorful and pleasing tonic.  

Rejuvenate the body, purify the blood and cleanse the skin with all organic Spring herbs:

Green tea has powerful anti-oxidants that strengthen our immune systems, increase metabolism and energy and help fight bacteria.

Pau D’ Arco is high in calcium, a blood purifier and antifungal, helpful in fighting yeast infections and skin problems.

Fennel seed and Star anise are a catalyst for other herbs and helpful for the digestion.

Dandelion leaf is one of the best blood and liver cleansers and builders, high in vitamins and calcium, helps lower blood pressure and build endurance energy

Hyssop was used for cleansing and purifying in the Bible and is excellent for the skin.

Yarrow is good for flu and fevers, helps cleanse the glands, liver, kidney and bladder and dispel mucus in the system.

Red clover is high in minerals and is an excellent blood purifier.

Licorice root helps strengthen immune system, throat problems, and harmonizes herbs.

Marshmallow root helps clear the system of mucus build-up and is good for colds and flu.

Horsetail is rich in silicon which enables the body to make collagen, giving elasticity and strength to skin, bones and hair.                                 

  *Statements are for educational purpose only.  Not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and diseases.  Created by T’s Tonics.

full disclosure organic company

We are a Full disclosure company

It is becoming an increasing concern and interest to the consumer where our food is coming from.  I am excited that the public is demanding to be more educated on what processing is actually happening with what we eat and therefore, hopefully, creating more accountability in the farm and food industry.

I want to assure you that we are a full disclosure company.  That means we will tell you everything that is in a tea or tonic we make.  We will also gladly tell you where it comes from and thank you for asking. 

We are proud of the top quality of our organic and wild harvested herbs.  What we cannot grow or wild harvest locally here in Central Oregon, we order certified organic first from Oregon then other areas.  Our herbs are fresh harvested within the year for top potency, color and flavor.  Our loose leaf black and red teas which do come from out of the country are fair trade and organic certified.

Our belief is that local health concerns have local solutions.  It has been shown that there is usually found growing in the area what is needed to take care of local allergies, skin conditions and internal problems, for example.  We try to find and blend into teas, tonics, balms and elixirs, organic easy solutions to invigorate, renew, and energize you as well as engage and enchant!

Try our new Renewal Tea to recharge yourself today!  This is not yet on our tstonics.com website so you can order by e-mail www.tstonics@tstonics.com or calling 541-419-1284.  More information to follow soon.

St. John's Wort tincture

St. John's Wort herb and tincture

The St. John's Wort was abundant up in the mountains this year.  I saw it growing all along the highway on our travels.  I didn't even think to take a picture on our wild harvesting trips so here is one of flowers after they were dried.

Drying St. John's Wort:  These flowers are so easy to pick and dry, multiple ways would work but I have found the easiest way for me is to throw them in a big brown paper bag, close it, label and toss them in my pantry cubby and forget them for awhile.  I prefer that so no heat is used, labor lost, or dust collected.  Of course, I live in high desert country so everything dries quickly here.

My St. John's Wort tincture is so strong now it is the darkest shade of red.  (These bright yellow flowers turn the prettiest deep reddish pink color when crushed or added to liquids and have been used as pink dye.)

Easy tincture making:  Tinctures are easy to make.  Alcohol tinctures keep the longest (3-4 years) and seem the most potent.  But vegetable glycerin or vinegar are appropriate at times and effective also.  I fill a mason jar half full of the desired herb, in this case st. john's wort, (make sure it is crushed or blended finer), then top off jar with an inexpensive 80 proof clear alcohol, I usually use vodka.  Label with name and date and store in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks or longer, shaking jar 3-4 times a week.  When it is dark and herby smelling, strain off the herbs with cheesecloth and bottle the tincture in dark bottles.

Uses for St. John's Wort tincture:  An eye dropper of tincture under the tongue is a fast and easy way to calm the nerves and help lift depression.  It also has a sedative and pain reducing effect which can be helpful for uncontrolled muscular twitching, nerve injuries, afterpain in childbirth.  Use externally for relief of local pains and bruises.  St. John's Wort is also used for persistent mucous problems in the lungs and bowels.

This information is for educational purposes only.  Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illnesses.

Fenugreek tea

fenugreek in garden this October

Fenugreek tea

Fenugreek seed is a wonderfully useful herb this time of year with the weather changing and more cold and flu bugs in the air.  It helps expel mucous from the sinuses and when combined with marshmellow, st. johnswort, slippery elm and/or yarrow can get you over colds and flu within 24 hours.  None of this 7-10 day sick stuff for us.  Get congestion out of the system fast with a tea of fenugreek, hot lemon water and lots of rest.

Other medical uses:  Fenugreek is a intestinal lubricant and is healing for ulcers and inflammations in the stomach and intestines.  It can help prevent migraines, headaches and digestive disorders and has been used for allergies, lung conditions, coughs, fevers and more.

Other ways to use fenugreek:  Although it is used in cooking and baking, in tea fenugreek seed can be bitter and so I always add a teaspoon of raw honey to my tea. Some people toss it into salads. And there is a wonderful goat cheese made here locally by Tumalo Farms using fenugreek which gives it a nutty depth of flavor. 

fenugreek seed

You can find fenugreek in our Heavenly Harvest Tea which is designed to support your immune system and the specific conditions that challenge us this time of year. 

linden flower tea blend

Linden flower tea blend

This linden flower tea blend combines linden flowers with other organic herbs of lemon balm, chamomile flowers, spearmint, lemongrass, lavender, lemon peel and St. John's wort to create a delightful tea of stress relieving, mood and body relaxing goodness.  Mellow Yellow is the name we have given it.

If you are looking for a memorable tea, try this unique tea blend with linden flowers for an enjoyable evening experience that also has many health benefits:  the herbs used are renouned for their immune boosting, mood balancing, stomach soothing abilities and more.  We refer to it as our happy tea.

Benefits of Green Tea

Benefits of Green Tea

The Benefits of green tea are numerous and exciting for those searching for increased health and energy.

Green tea, unlike black and oolong tea, is processed by steam thereby keeping its rich content of polyphenols.  Polyphenols are powerful anti-oxidants which strengthen our immune systems and rejuvenates our bodies. The polyphenols in green tea are shown to even inhibit and even kill cancer cells! 

More benefits:  Green tea has been found to have bacteria destroying properties which help fight infection.  It is now being used in skin products and to fight tooth decay.  Another benefactor from the drinking of green tea is the heart as it supports the cardiovascular system and effects cholesterol.  People have tested with lower cholesterol after drinking green tea over time.  Other positives are increased metabolism, energy, and help with rheumatoid arthritis.   The health benefits of drinking green tea improve with daily consumption over time and more are still being discovered.

Peppermint leaf is also a powerful anti-oxidant and combined with the green tea works overtime to support the heart, digestive and nervous systems.  It is also good for strengthening the immune system and is good for the skin among many other uses.

Lemon Peel has many positive benefits that work dynamically in combination with green tea and peppermint.  It is wonderful for digestion and metabolism.  It balances the pH and increases energy, circulation and mood levels.  It is rich in vitamin C which supports the immune system.

The health benefits from the combination of these three anti-oxidants are multiple and keep increasing with usage over time.

You can find this dynamic combo in T’s Tonics Lemon Refresh-mint tea which is excellent any time of year hot or cold.  Get yours today!

Recycle your tea!

No need to throw out your used tea leaves immediately. There are lots of creative uses for them:

For Plants: dump the tea leaves around your house plants or in your garden compost. They make excellent mulch and plant food as well as help repel bugs.

Eye freshener: use chilled used tea bags (or left-over tea poured on a cotton cloth and cooled) and place over eyes for up to 20 minutes to soothe tired and red eyes.

Minor cuts, abrasions and sunburn: Soak a cloth in used tea or steamed, cooled tea leaves (that have no unnatural additives) and lay on the abused area for 5-15 minutes up to four times a day for visible relief.

Temporary suntan: Strong brewed unscented, unflavored black tea is best to use for a temporary suntan. Add up to a cup of tea to your bath and soak for about 20 minutes to give your skin a slightly darker, healthy hue. (It will wash off in the next shower or bath.)

Hair Rinse: For a rinse that leaves your hair soft and glossy, as well as a little darker, use left-over brewed black tea as a rinse after shampooing. Wash out if you do not want a darker color or leave on for wonderful feeling hair.

Let's Talk Tea

All Organic herbs and the highest quality of fresh ingredients create these delightful depths of flavor and healing power. 3 oz. Bulk / 20 teabags $7.95

e-mail tstonics@tstonics.com to purchase or call (541) 419-1284

Walk In the Jungle (Fair Trade Rooibos) A naturally energizing, robust herbal chai delivers spice straight from the jungle. Organic Red Rooibos, Pau d’ Arco, Birch bark, Hibiscus Flowers, Cinnamon bark, Ginger Root, Cloves, Allspice berries, Star Anise, Peppercorns, Nutmeg, and Vanilla. Caffeine Free.

Sports Recovery Tea (Fair Trade Rooibos) Helps to Revitalize & Repair energy, muscles, tissues and stamina before, during and after exertion. Fair trade red rooibos, licorice root, pau d’ arco, ginseng root, ginkgo, comfrey, birch bark, lemongrass, ginger, hibiscus, horsetail, dandelion, yucca, cayenne.

Spring Tonic (Green Tea) Rejuvenate the body, purify the blood and cleanse the skin, energize and strengthen the systems yet delight the senses. Green tea, dandelion leaf, jasmine flowers, taheebo, fennel seed, hyssop, yarrow, red clover leaf, marshmallow, horsetail, star anise and parsley.

Hot & Spicy Energizing Tea (Black Tea) An invigorating and spicy black tea blend, perfect for increasing circulation, warmth and energy. Black tea, ginger root, licorice root, ginseng root, jasmine flowers, coriander, cloves, peppercorns, saw palmetto berries, cayenne pepper, and Saigon cinnamon.

Citrus, Apple & Spice Tea (Herbal) Get your Vitamin C booster with a tasty depth of tart, fruity flavor. Hibiscus Flowers, Spearmint, Red Raspberry Leaf, Rosehips, Echinacea, Orange Peel, Dried Apple Bits, Tangerine Peel, Lemon Peel, Ginger Root and Clove

Cinnamonious Tea (Black Chai) The name says it all. Take a trip to the Spice Islands or grandma’s kitchen with this warm and flavorful black tea blend. Black Tea, Jasmine Flowers, Taheebo, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Cloves, Saigon Cinnamon and Ginger.

Winter Wonder (Herbal) Supportive in cold and flu season but a pleasingly flavorful taste of spearmint and citrus anytime. Mullein, Spearmint, Yarrow, Pau D’ Arco, Fennel, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Rosehips, Licorice Root, Lemon Balm, and Fenugreek.

Heavenly Harvest (Herbal) Our classic herbal blend. Mellow and calming yet designed to support and strengthen the immune system. A relaxing evening tea Peppermint, Spearmint, Mullein, Chamomile, Taheebo, Yarrow, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Rosehips, and Fennel.

Mellow Yellow (Herbal) Uplifting to the spirit and stabilizing to the emotions while calming to the body, this is a good tea for unwinding with the smoothness of lemon, lavender and mint. lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon peel, linden flowers, chamomile, lavender, spearmint and St. John’s wort flowers.

Tummy Tea (Herbal) Soothing to the stomach, relieves gas and aids digestion, relaxing and healing. Mellow, minty blend. Peppermint, Oatstraw, Chamomile, Echinacea, Taheebo, Lemon Balm, Comfrey, Fennel, Lemon Peel, Ginger Root and Parsley Leaf.