tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post7876566232585428748..comments2024-03-20T16:34:04.414-04:00Comments on Alex Zorach's Tea Blog: Monarda Tea ReviewAlex Zorachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08335878680429494039noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post-4173202394485925102010-07-07T12:29:24.813-04:002010-07-07T12:29:24.813-04:00I've read that Monarda are good for sore throa...I've read that Monarda are good for sore throats...I should try that next time I have one. I spend a lot of time researching various medical issues and herbs and tea and their medicinal uses, but I haven't looked much at sore throats. But I do know from experience that there are some teas that make a dramatic difference.<br /><br />I know a lot of plants are well-established to have anti-inflammatory effects, so I suspect this may be one of the factors here!Alex Zorachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08335878680429494039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post-25455930636639792172010-07-06T23:42:13.293-04:002010-07-06T23:42:13.293-04:00Oh wow, I used to grow this stuff years ago. I use...Oh wow, I used to grow this stuff years ago. I used to love brewing it fresh. It was so good for sore throats... Really worked a treat, especially with a bit of honey in it too.Veri-Teahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16240932063144037031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post-57749863796106714802010-07-01T10:03:08.022-04:002010-07-01T10:03:08.022-04:00I've tried different methods of drying. Dryin...I've tried different methods of drying. Drying them in a closed (no need to seal) paper bag in a dry, dark area is the one I've done the most. Dry is more important than dark...basements are often too damp, unless you find a spot near your furnace. I have a furnace closet on my 1st floor which is convenient. My parents dry herbs halfway down the stairs to the basement--the hot, dry air rises but it's dark.<br /><br />When I harvest mint, I sometimes gather the whole stems and dry them in a long paper bag...this makes it easy relative to the quantity of harvest you get, and mint is so abundant that once it's established, you can harvest almost all of it and it'll just keep coming back.<br /><br />Monarda isn't quite as resilient though, and the lower leaves and stalk often mildew, so I tend not to harvest the whole stalk.<br /><br />The other way of drying I've tried is just setting out the leaves in a dry room. This takes more space but they seem to dry faster. I use this sometimes if I have a lot of leaf and little stem so the leaves need to be spread out in order to dry out.Alex Zorachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08335878680429494039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post-29628815028777041522010-07-01T02:02:17.489-04:002010-07-01T02:02:17.489-04:00So you just dry the leaves in a sealed paper bag i...So you just dry the leaves in a sealed paper bag in a dark room somewhere?<br />I have never really experimented with fresh herbs a whole lot, but I would love to start!<br />Sounds like an interesting infusion though!<br />=]Sir William of the Leafhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15366359211931253914noreply@blogger.com