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making journal

Chamom 1

Chamom 2

I've been growing plants for making herbal tea. It seems like one of those things that you don't really need to do these days. I mean, there are so many different kinds of tea in the shops and they're not expensive or difficult to find or anything.

But I love the idea of growing tea plants, just because.

The other day I harvested my first lot of chamomile. I thought the plant had died last year, but I moved it to a more sheltered spot and now it's thriving- actually, it's taking over the vegetable bed. And the flowers are huge- and very strongly scented. I've got a bunch drying in the pantry now. Will be sure to report back on the tea.

This is a great article about older people: This is what 100 looks like. My favourite new piece of advice: "The secret to a long life is taking it lightly; not worrying too much. Everyone's got worries, but some people make theirs bigger."

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8 responses to “earth-apple”

  1. Emma Avatar

    another great link Melissa! Thanks, Emma x

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  2. Penelope Avatar

    Be sure to enjoy some tea made with the fresh chamomile flowers – it’s exquisite. Unrecognisable from dusty old shop-bought tea bags.

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  3. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Hi Melissa, I make quite a few herbal teas for myself too. My favourite is parsley & ginger root tea at the moment. If I am feeling like a virus coming on, I drink parsley & sage tea & I swear it chases the virus away. Your chamomile is just beautiful. My favourite verse (one of them) is “be kind to everyone, for each person you meet may be weathering a storm you know nothing about”.

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  4. Jane Pacey Avatar

    I love home-grown chamomile too. I must plant some more this year. Mine seems to have died off. I’m also a bit of a fan of kawa kawa. Just pick a few leaves off the tree (the more eaten looking, the better, apparently) and steep in hot water. It has a lovely peppery flavour.

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  5. asparagus pea Avatar

    My favourite is mint and lemon balm with a bit of fennel seed and dried elderflowers. Lemon balm is an anti-viral, used in lots of lipbalms as it’ good for the cold sore virus. I agree that your own herb teas taste so much brighter than shop bought ones – just fresher I guess – Bernice

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  6. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Some people’s worries are bigger though. E.g. a TV presenters daughter over here in the UK had an accident where her Halloween outfit caught fire. I hope never to have a worry like that one as a parent. Not ever.
    Nice chamomile plant. I take herb teas to medicate and they are very good. I like to be take them rather than harsher prescriptions. They work too.

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  7. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    That’s a good verse to think about. My mum always had a jar of dried camomile to make tea, I’d like to do the same one day.

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  8. Angela Turner Avatar
    Angela Turner

    I plant a few herbs and dry them for tea or cooking. I wish we could grow camomile but I am afraid the central North US may not be ideal place to grow it. I love camomile tea with a bit of honey! Thank you for the advise. I am a “worry bug.” 🙂

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