by Scarlett de Courcier

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

The words 'Let's have a cup of tea' have, to many, become a synonym for sitting down with a soothing hot beverage and attempting to forget whatever ills life has thrown our way. At the end of the day, after the long hard slog is over, what better way is there to relax than with a steaming cuppa?

For most of us, the process of having a cup of tea begins when we take the tea bag out of the packet and dump it in a cup. Brewing your own tea is, however, a very relaxing and rewarding activity. The knowledge that it has been home brewed, coupled with the general medicinal value of various teas, will make you feel accomplished and pleased to sit down with your beverage.

A few home brewing recipes to get you started (all quantites are per cup and should be left to brew for around ten minutes):

Fennel Tea: Fennel is excellent at getting rid of phlegmy problems, particularly colds and chesty coughs. Take one and a half teaspoons of ground fennel seeds and add boiling water.

Incidentally, if you prefer not to have floating bits of flower and herb in your drink, you can buy little tea strainers that work a bit like teabags from most major supermarkets. If you do it this way, simply place the ingredients in the strainer, instead of directly into the cup, and continue as before.

Dill Tea: Dill is brilliant for indigestion or a troubled tummy. It also helps to build up the immune system and has a sedative effect, though you normally have to drink quite a lot of it for this to take effect properly! To make dill tea, simply crush one teaspoonful of dill seeds, place them in your strainer or cup, and add boiling water.

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is renowned for its soothing properties and is a wonderful relaxant for the end of the day. It also aids digestion, and helps you feel a little less under the weather when you have a cold. Brewing chamomile tea could hardly be easier. Simply take two teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers (or one for fresh flowers), and put them in your cup. Pour boiling water over the top and leave for a few minutes before drinking.

Peppermint Tea: Peppermint is another good one for when you're feeling ill: it can help with colds, indigestion, headaches and so on. Use one teaspoon of peppermint leaves per half cup of boiling water for the best brew.

Lemon Balm Tea: Lemon Balm is a stimulant, so this makes a perfect coffee substitute to have with breakfast. It also helps fight bloating, and has been known to soothe headaches. Take one teaspoon of lemon balm leaves, add boiling water and leave to steep for ten minutes. Lemon balm goes very well with fennel, so try this as a combination if you feel like branching out.

Ginger Tea: Ginger adds a nice bit of spice and gives a subtle kick to any beverage. On its own, ginger is a wonderful aid for such complaints as nausea, bloating and indigestion. Grind one teaspoon of ginger and add boiling water. This goes especially well with lemon; and ginger, lemon and chamomile can be combined to make an interesting mixture that you will either love or hate.

Happy brewing!

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