HERBAL TEA isn't really made from tea leaves. Herbal tea is really just an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. A well-steeped herbal tea provides all the powerful healing benefits of the ingredient plants in an easily digestible form, and most herbal teas have little or no side effects (though it's best to consult a doctor first, especially if you're pregnant, on medication or if troublesome symptoms persist for more than a few days).
Many herbal teas are surprisingly tasty, though some are much more drinkable with an added spoonful of honey or a squeeze of lemon. Then teas are easy to make. You simply boil or add boiling water to some fresh or dried herb from your garden, grocer or health food shop. Recipes usually use dried herbs. If you use fresh herbs instead, you'll need to use three times as much. Try these:
Ease nausea : Ginger tea can curb nausea, vomiting or an upset stomach caused by motion sickness
Make it by simmering a piece of ginger root for about 12 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice and honey to this if you have a cold and get a powerful germ-fighting combination.
Tame the tummy: Try a tasty aromatic blend of cardamom and three other spices to stop painful cramps and wind, especially after you've overindulged. Pour a cup of boiling water to a mix of 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel [Hindi: saunf] seed, 1/2 tea-spoon ground caraway seed and v., slice fresh root ginger. Steep for 10 t You may add a cinnamon -on, if you like.
Cold buster: Hot tea brewed with tulsi leaves is great for fighting colds and congestion. Boil a cup of water with a small piece of ginger, one clove, 3 black peppercorns, a small piece of cinnamon, 10 tulsi leaves and '/4 teaspoon fennel seeds till reduced to half a cup. If needed, add a little honey and sip while hot.