WHY?
The benefits of growing your own aromatic plants are numerous. Obviously, we first think of the ecological aspect; all cardboard and plastic packaging saved. It is also much more economical, especially if you are growing organic, you will save a lot. Then there is the immense pleasure, that of pride, that of sharing, that of health benefits, that of exquisite flavor...

Besides these obvious reasons, there is the installation of a slower, more connected lifestyle. Because this gentle work of apothecary allows you to savor the essence of the days, to cultivate slowness while reducing your stress.

HOW? 'OR' WHAT?
YES, it's easy to make delicious herbal teas yourself and even make countless teas with the leaves or flowers of certain aromatic plants . Most of them are very easy to grow and require little space. All you have to do is get started and develop the art of patience. Feel free to plant the herbs of your choice in your garden , on your window sill or on a balcony .

AROMATIC HERBS - THE ESSENTIALS

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MINT (peppermint)

Characteristics and virtues:
Stimulating and refreshing, ideal for digestion.

Culture:
Mint is a perennial plant. Anyone (even the worst gardeners) can successfully grow it. Mint is an invasive plant, so make sure you have a restricted area, or grow it in a container.

Consumption:
Delicious from fresh or dried leaves. Drink hot or cold. Ideal for making artisanal tea.

CHAMOMILE

Characteristics and virtues:
Calming and soothing. Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and digestive. Promotes the expulsion of intestinal gases, while reducing them. Stimulates gastric juices and awakens the appetite.

Culture:
Chamomile is an annual plant. It gives pretty little flowers that look like daisies; it is therefore lovely in the midst of other flowers. Give it plenty of room to grow.

Harvest:
Harvest chamomile flowers in early summer, as they bloom, simply by pinching with your thumb and forefinger just below the flower head. Wait until the morning dew has dried. The inflorescences should be wide open, but before they begin to wilt.

Conservation:
Dry on absorbent paper, away from direct sunlight, in a thin layer. Stir the flowers every day, possibly changing the paper. The drying must be done quickly, but count all the same 5 or 6 days. If the flower is poorly dried, it turns black and loses its medicinal properties. Put in a bag of kraft paper and keep away from humidity. They take on an ivory hue. Discard any that turn brown as they dry.

Consumption:
Herbal tea is prepared from dried flowers, whole or crushed. Infuse in hot water for about 5 minutes, strain and serve as is or with honey or lemon.

LEMON BALM (lemon balm)

Characteristics and virtues:
Benefits against stress and anxiety, insomnia and digestive disorders.

Culture:
Lemon balm is a perennial plant. It is part of the mint family, so it is also a plant that must be contained and prevented from spreading.

Harvest:
Before the flowering period, because after this period the leaves lose their taste, smell and flavor. However, it is possible to harvest the leaves too, just after flowering.

Consumption:
Delicious from fresh or dried leaves. Drink hot or cold.
Infuse for 10 minutes covered so that the essences do not evaporate. Also ideal for craft tea making.

ROSEMARY

Characteristics and virtues:
Effect on memory and concentration and always appreciated in the kitchen. Excellent aromatic for vinegars, also used for homemade cleaning products .

Culture:
Rosemary is an annual plant. Rosemary likes well-drained soil. It grows in a bush on woody stems. To harvest it, cut with scissors pieces of stems, but use only the leaves.

Consumption:
Immerse a full sprig of rosemary in a teapot of hot water, or crush a few dried leaves and place them in a tea ball. Mixes well with other herbs to create herbal tea or flavorful teas.

FLOWERS - EVEN MORE FLAVORS...

LAVENDER

Characteristics and virtues:
Relaxing and antiseptic, it puts an end to headaches and insomnia.

Culture:
Lavender is a perennial plant that is very easy to grow.

Consumption:
Both leaves and flowers can be used. Also ideal for craft tea making. Lavender is also delicious in homemade ice cream.

THE ROSE

Characteristics and virtues:
Toning, avoid in the evening. The taste and aroma of rose tea is divine.

Culture:
The rose is a perennial plant. Most roses need at least six hours of sun per day. It is therefore important to choose the right place to plant them. Make sure they are in well-drained soil and add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the plants. Check regularly for the presence of diseases or insects and prune regularly.

Most roses are edible, but some are better suited for use in food and drink. Obviously, you wouldn't want to add pesticides to your roses, so be sure to use only organic gardening methods.

When choosing which roses to grow, choose one that has a pleasant fragrance. Fragrant heirloom roses work well. Yellow and pink roses usually have the most flavor and fragrance.

Harvest:
Make sure you cut off the white part of the petal before using it, it might taste bitter.

Consumption:
The taste and aroma of rose tea is divine. Rose leaves, buds, petals and rose hips can all be used in the preparation of tea. Roses are also delicious in homemade ice cream.

THE HIBISCUS

Characteristics and virtues:
Toning, hibiscus is a urinary antiseptic and a diuretic. The flowers are said to remedy menstrual pain and the root is used to calm coughs and clear the airways. Hibiscus would be recommended to fight against hypertension and cholesterol. Its taste is close to raspberry and rhubarb.

Culture:
A perennial plant, the hibiscus needs sun to flower.

Harvest:
Group the flowers together by tying small bouquets or small bundles of 4 to 8 stems. Hang the bouquets upside down and preferably in the dark. The drying time is variable; from a few days to a few weeks.

Consumption:
To prepare the bissap (hibiscus juice), we infuse the hibiscus flower, then we drink the fresh and very sweet decoction. Count two or three good tablespoons for 1l of water. You can infuse it in boiling water between 5 and 10 minutes, or let the flowers infuse in cold water overnight.
Also great for craft tea making.

THE HARVEST
1. Be sure to harvest your herbs before they bloom. If you wait too long, they may become bitter or lose their flavor.
2. Cut the grass mid-morning so that the morning dew has dried.
3. The best way to dry herbs is to air dry them. By using this slow method, you keep the oils intact. Tie small amounts of grass upside down for a week or two. Drying is complete when the stems break easily and the leaves crumble when crushed. Store herbs in airtight containers like mason jars, brown paper bags, or amber containers, then label them. Keep out of direct sunlight and store in a dry place. They will keep for approximately one year, so we're stocking up until next year!

As drying is one of the most important parts, I have a full method article for you shortly. Then, we will prepare several infusion, tea and herbal tea recipes and step-by-step guides for the fall.

So, until then, take advantage of the sunny days, take care of your garden and set up a little slow ritual, because there is nothing better than taking the time to water these herbs, to watch them grow. and to smell their delicious and fresh aromas to satisfy the expectation.

Because gardening is a very meditative act if you act in all conscience and you need it so much to release the stress and tensions of everyday life!

So to your little pots!

Everything to savor the summer and do the dolce vita?

SHOP

About On my x:

IMAGINE a world where his lifestyle would have little impact on the environment and where his happiness index would see a considerable increase.

At Sur mon x, that's the bet we took on...

WHY
The benefits of growing your own aromatic plants are numerous. Obviously, we first think of the ecological aspect; all cardboard and plastic packaging saved. It is also much more economical, especially if you are growing organic, you will save a lot. Then there is the immense pleasure, that of pride, that of sharing, that of health benefits, that of exquisite flavor...

Besides, these obvious reasons, there is the installation of a slower, more connected lifestyle. Because this gentle work of apothecary allows you to savor the essence of the days, to cultivate slowness while reducing your stress

HOW? 'OR' WHAT
YES it's easy to make delicious herbal teas yourself and even make countless teas with the leaves or flowers of certain aromatic plants . Most of them are very easy to grow and require little space. All you have to do is get started and develop the art of patience. Feel free to plant the herbs of your choice in your garden , on your window sill or on a balcony .

Ready for natural cleaning?

THE HARVEST

1) Be sure to harvest your herbs before they bloom. If you wait too long, they may become bitter or lose their flavor.
2) Cut the grass mid-morning so the morning dew has dried.
3) The best way to dry herbs is to air dry them. By using this slow method, you keep the oils intact. Tie small amounts of grass upside down for a week or two. Drying is complete when the stems break easily and the leaves crumble when crushed. Store herbs in airtight containers like mason jars, brown paper bags, or amber containers and label them. Keep out of direct sunlight and store in a dry place. They will keep for approximately one year, so we're stocking up until next year!

As drying is one of the most important parts, I have a full method article for you shortly. Then, we will prepare several infusion, tea and herbal tea recipes and step-by-step guides for the fall.

So until then, take advantage of the sunny days, take care of your garden and set up a little slow ritual, because there is nothing better than taking the time to water these herbs, watch them grow and smell their delicious and fresh aromas to satisfy the expectation.

Because gardening is a very meditative act if you act in all conscience and you need it so much to release the stress and tensions of everyday life!

So to your little pots!

Need a little slow?

SHOP

About On my x:

Imagine a world in which the vast majority of us went back to basics and could take the time to live well, celebrate the everyday, were able to take care of ourselves and others, and at the end of the day would feel fulfilled. .