Lemon Basil Tea!
It can boost my mood when I’m feeling down. And it can lessen my anxiety when the world gets to be too much to handle. Plus, it tastes good too!
I discovered this herbal combination a few years ago. My youngest son was going through a period of depression. And I wanted desperately to help without resorting to prescription medication.
You see, when he was very small, he was unusually active with the most awful temper tantrums. So, his pediatrician prescribed Ritalin. I knew there were some serious side affects associated with Ritalin. But when I talked to the doctor about my concerns, he made me feel as if I was a bad mother for not jumping at the chance to make my son “normal”.
The dark side of medication side effects
Unfortunately, my son now has a “twitch” that will most likely be with him the rest of his life. And there’s nothing I can do about it. So I hope you can understand why I hesitated when it came to anti-depressants. Because of this experience, I felt strongly that there was a better way to deal with his depression.
I have been growing an herb garden for several years. I’m embarrassed to admit, it took awhile before it occurred to me to try an organic approach to his depression. You may have already discovered the treasure trove of benefits that herbs provide. But if not, let me share why I have become a big fan of herbs and now have my own home apothecary. It might inspire you to grow your own as well.
Let me count the ways…
- First, most herbs are easy to grow, are readily available and are more affordable than some over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
- Second, many of them have few, if any, side effects and don’t require a prescription.
- Third, they can be just as effective as many OTC and prescription medications.
I want to share with you, the herbs I gathered to help my son get past these bouts of depression. Although I intended Lemon Basil tea for my son, I found that it also helped me after my mother passed away earlier this year.
As is the case when two people have been together for so long, my father passed away only six weeks later. Again, I turned to Lemon Basil tea to help with the melancholy.
If you are struggling with melancholy or depression, maybe it can help you too!
I am happy to admit that I can personally vouch for Lemon Basil tea! It works very well in easing anxiety, depression and a plain ol’ case of the blues. Although I didn’t use it for insomnia, the properties in the herbs might help with that as well.
Best of all…it contains nothing more than Lemon Balm and Basil leaves.
Sometimes less is more!
Lemon Balm
As it’s name implies, Lemon Balm has a wonderful lemon fragrance. For most herbalists, it is the go-to herb for anxiety, depression and occasional insomnia. I found a few sources that claim it can also be used in small doses for children with ADD and ADHD. (I wish I had known about this when my son was younger!)
The only downside I have found with Lemon Balm is that it is a thyroid inhibitor. Therefore, people already taking thyroid medication should definitely talk to a doctor before using it.
Basil
On the other hand, Basil has no known side affects and can be used by just about anyone, even those taking prescription medication. It too, helps with anxiety and depression as well as certain digestive issues.
How To Make Lemon Basil Tea:
1. Start with equal amounts of both Lemon Balm leaves and Basil leaves. You can make this mixture using fresh or dried leaves. (Not sure about growing your own herbs? Click here.)
NOTE: I have read that some people like to add lavender or chamomile buds because of their sedative properties. If you feel the need, add just a few buds during the brewing process. Drink this tea version before bed.
2. Mix the basil and lemon balm leaves well. If using fresh herbs, skip to next step. If using dried herbs, store them in a glass bottle with a tight lid. Make sure you label the bottle.
3. Place 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (or 2 teaspoons of fresh herbs) in a tea strainer. Pour one cup of hot water over the tea leaves and let steep for ten minutes. Place a saucer over the cup to trap the steam and get the most benefit.
4. Discard the leaves and add honey, if desired. Drink two to three cups a day to lift your mood.
Ready to give it a try?
If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, anxiety or “the blues” and not taking OTC medication for it, why not give herbs a try. They have fewer side effects than most medications and won’t cost you a small fortune either.
If you’re currently taking prescription medication and it’s not working or you worry about side effects, ask your doctor if herbs might be an alternative. Don’t be afraid to question prescription medications. More people are doing so than ever before and with good reason. You need only to see the number of tv advertisements by lawyers to know there’s got to be a better way.
Give herbs a try. I promise you that there is something there that can benefit everyone. Who knows, you might even kick your old pharmacy (or doctor) to the curb!
On a positive note, my son has learned to cope with the on-going side effects of Ritalin. His close friends now call him “Twitch”. For a musician, that’s a pretty cool name, don’t ya think?
Until next time,
lisa
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