Invigorating Basil Tea

It's been raining heavily in Saint Lucia, and basil tea is comforting and of course healthy; although I do enjoy all types of tea and it's a norm to have cocoa tea on rainy days, I opted for homegrown basil this week.

Fresh basil is known to be full of anti-oxidants, anti-bacterial properties, and Vitamin K.

The plant’s leaves are the main component of the flavorful pesto sauce and are used fresh in salads, sandwiches, and many other recipes. Drying Basil: Drying basil is an easy way to save the delicious leaves and are generally three to four times stronger than the fresh herb.

Harvesting tip: For drying It is better to harvest in the morning just after the dew has air-dried the leaves.

There are two quick and effective methods of drying basil:

1. Bind them together in small bunches to hang dry, then lace a paper bag with holes around the bundles. Hang the drying basil in a dimly lit room with low humidity and warm temperatures; the bag will catch dry bits of the leaves as they fall off.

2. You can also dry basil in a food dehydrator. Lay each leaf in a single layer on the racks and allow them to dry in the machine until completely crisp. Facial steam: Did you know a facial steam with dried basil leaves can help alleviate a headache?

Try this: Add a tablespoon of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of boiling water in a large pot.

Carefully lean over the pot, cover head with a towel and breathe in the steam for

5-10 minutes until headache starts to subside.

Gardening: Do you have a home garden? If you do, let me know what beautiful things you are

growing there, and if you don’t, what are you waiting for? You can do it; a green

thumb is simply a state of mind, find your inner zen and soon you will see that whatever you touch blooms.

Basil tea: Making homemade basil tea is a super easy and handy way to get more of this herb into your diet. It can give you a boost for the day or help you calm down at night. 

What You'll Need For Fresh: (makes 1 cup)

2-3 leaves of fresh basil (thoroughly washed)

1 cup of hot water

Honey/sugar/maple syrup as you desire. I prefer without any sugar.

Directions:

• Boil the water in a kettle.

• Chop the basil (stalks and all) or gently mash basil.

• Add the chopped leaves to the teapot and and fill with boiling water.

• Give everything a quick stir and let steep for about 5-7 minutes.

• After steeping, give another quick stir.

• Finally, strain into your cups. Enjoy.

What's steeping in your neck of the woods?