Herbs for Hangovers

We really want  to focus on the internet, social media, and electronic communications this year as a way to share hints tips and ideas about herbs, how to grow them and how to use them.

What could be more appropriate for the first tip of the year, on New Years Day, than some ideas on how we can use herbs to combat hangovers.

Now, for those of you who like myself, aren’t drinkers, it is important to note that we aren’t really treating a hangover per se, but the symptoms, so these same remedies can be used to treat any hangover type symptoms.

** Disclaimer.  I am not a doctor.  I have no medical training.  Please do not rely on Tips, Hints, or Ideas you find on this blog as a replacement for medical care.  If you are pregnant, nursing, or have serious health issues, you should consult a doctor before using any herbs medicinally.  All medical treatment should occur under the guidance and direction of a medical professional.

OK, now that we have that out of the way, for those of you who were making merry last night, and are feeling a bit out of sorts today, lets explore some possible options that may help you feel better.

Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural stomach soother,  taken as a tea it can calm nerves and improve digestion.   Tea drinkers can add a teaspoon of dried peppermint or a Tablespoon of fresh peppermint leaves to their regular  cup of tea. 

Non tea drinkers can make an herbal tisane  by adding a cup of boiling water to 2 teaspoons of dried peppermint, allowing it to stand for about five minutes and sweetening to taste.  When I do this I like to add a tablespoon of lemon Juice and 2 Teaspoons of Honey.

As an added benefit, inhaling the steam produced while brewing peppermint tea can help to relieve headaches

** Note, do not attempt to treat a hangover with Peppermint Schnapps.

Fennel
1/2 teaspoons of  fennel seeds in a hot cup of tea can help improve liver function. Fennel is a restorative herb, and can help bring your liver back into working order.

Ginger
Ginger is a stomach soother; Ginger snaps, gingerbread cookies, can often provide partial relief for minor stomach upset.  Candied or pickled Ginger root may be as effective, provided the sugar or vinegar are not overpowering. 

** Note, Vernor’s Ginger Ale is actually made with real ginger and can be used to settle an upset stomach.  Other brands may not be as effective.

Thyme
Thyme leaves  brewed into a tisane  with a spoonful  of honey can help soothe tense and tired muscles, and can help with any stomach troubles too.

Lemon Verbena
A tisane made from adding 2 t dried Lemon Verbena leaves to a cup of boiling water can help to calm the nervous system and relax jittery nerves as well as help relieve anxiety. Lemon Verbena Tisane is so effective that people are actually cautioned not to drive or operate machinery after drinking this as it may affect alertness. 

Wintergreen/Teaberry
Also known as 'nature's aspirin,' Teaberry leaves were brewed into a tisane by the Native Americans to treat headaches.   If you can’t find the leaves, wintergreen oil, and gum or candy made with natural wintergreen oil and not artificial flavoring can also be effective.

** Important Note**Teaberry actually contains salicylic acid which is the active ingredient synthesized to produce aspirin.  because of this, teaberry or Wintergreen oil should not be used by anyone with an allergy to aspirin, as the same reaction may result.

Hopefully in just a few hours you will be feeling as good as new and ready to help us enjoy the fact that a new year has dawned. 2012 is no more.  Lets have a fun 2013.

 

Watch this space for regular Herb Hints, Tips, and Ideas.

 

Note, this post was written by Troy, but I used Diann’s computer so it says it was written by her.  Any errors in it are my fault, not hers.

New Product ~ Packaged Teas

Hi everyone!

Wow, we have been busy lately. You can tell by the lack of post here at DTL Herbs!

I am thrilled to finally announce that we have packaged our herb infused tea and they are now available for purchase so you can take them home and enjoy them! We had so many requests this past summer after introducing the iced teas for this to be packaged for home use.

We are offering two sizes. The above is a picture of the the “Brew an entire pot of hot tea or a pitcher of iced tea” size. The flavors are all the ones we introduced this summer: Peppermint, Spearmint and Lemon Verbena.

And in the same flavors as above, we now have packaged individual tea bags for a single serving.

I hope you stop by and give them a try!

I am working on putting together a schedule of the different events that we will be at throughout the winter months. So check back so and see where we are!

Today (Nov 4) we are at Airport High School for a large craft show (Carleton, MI)

We Support…

Hi everyone!

It has been crazy busy around here the past week. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a cause that touches us. We lost an Aunt to breast cancer not too long ago. And we have a sister in law who is a 5 year survivor.

We decided that we want our business DTL Herbs LTD to take an active part in this cause. We know we are just a tiny business but, we thought that there must be something we could do.

Click the above banner to find out more about this program!

After some research we discovered that a local hospital along with some local sponsors have set up a program for uninsured woman to get a free mammogram. After speaking with the people in charge of the program, we found out how much the cost of one mammogram is. And that is our goal amount to raise. We want to cover the cost of at least one woman to have a mammogram.

So, this week we are rolling out a couple of new products. Although we are completely 100% natural with our herb products, I made a small exception and added some pink food coloring to our new Peppermint Sugar. This product was exclusively made for Breast Cancer Awareness month. A large portion of the profits will be donated.

I have been working on creating an herbed cornbread line of products. So, to launch this new line I am going to bake up some cornbread and have them available. There will be no price on them. It will be all donation and every penny will go to the mammogram.

We will be at the Wyandotte Market today. I hope you stop by!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy a Fresh Cup of Iced Tea!

Hi everyone!

We started our first full week of scheduled Farmers Markets last week. Did you stop by? If you did, you might have noticed we have added a new item, Fresh brewed Herb Infused Iced Tea! Nothing beats iced tea in this insane heat we have had!

Last week I started the market season out with a Lemon Balm infused brewed tea. It had a nice light lemon taste to it. Not overwhelming, which is hard to do with Lemon Balm! I have to confess, I threw out two whole gallons before I was satisfied with the taste. Thank goodness we have a lot of fresh lemon balm for me to play with!

Starting today, I am featuring Peppermint infused fresh brewed iced tea. The peppermint gives the iced tea a wonderful cooling taste. It is probably my favorite infused tea to date. And I am always trying different herb infused teas here at home.

I have a feeling that this one is going to be a favorite among all of you at the Markets this summer so, I better keep harvesting my peppermint!

I hope you all stop by at one of our Farmer’s Markets and give our iced tea a try!