I like elderberry (American) flowers and berry juice for bronchitis, as well as horehound, which grows fairly well for me (it is quite bitter). I have been able to collect elderberry flowers from bushes I planted, but the birds usually eat the berries-- I purchase Sambucol syrup instead. The English elderberry tree is more poisonous, and there are several types of American ones as well which are more so, so elderberry needs to be used with caution after reading up on it a bit. I like to substitute Dandelion root for coffee, and occasionally drink Pau D'Arco tea when I start to feel paranoid about cancer. My theory is that it may not cure a full-blown cancer, but might be discouraging to a few cancerous cells floating around. I purchase both of those. During the summer I just make teas out of whatever I can find growing well in my garden. Japanese honeysuckle blossoms are supposed to have some antibacterial properties, and taste nice with various mints. Sometimes I make a tea with ground ivy (not really an ivy; a weedy little ivy-like thing with purple flowers that I think is cute) or violet leaves. Supposedly forsythia buds have some antibiotic value; the Chinese grow a special strain of forsythia that is supposed to be more effective. I haven't tried any yet to see what they taste like. I also like to mix pineapple mint and pineapple sage in a tea, as is suggested in one of my books on herbs. That has a very nice fragrance. I found an hebal salve in the local health food store with comfrey gel in it that seems to help my arthritis, so I also like that.

Bren, you wonderful boy, When are you going to start giving good information and the truth or do you only give the truth as YOU see it in YOUR fantasy world. lol You are the only person who mentioned herbs being a cure all.No one else did!!! What was it you wanted to do to herbalists again? boy! you got to get educated before you presume to know it all.Growing up would'nt hurt either. Do you really not see how you open mouth and insert foot everytime you post.I only do it once in awhile.Usually intentionally. Whose information is negetive? Only yours little boy thats all i see. Luckygal has more intelligence in her little finger than you'll ever have as do most people here.Have intelligence that is. Handbright, Thank you for the mouth remedy. I get sores from the dental soak for my teeth sometimes and i'll try it next year. Calundula i grow anyway.I know it tastes good has a peppery taste. I've used it in salads.

You can make a tea from just about any edible herb, and, depending on the plant, you can use the leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, or roots of a plant to make it (you need to learn which parts of which plants are used). What you need to keep in mind is that ALL herbal teas are medicines - yes, even the common black or green tea or coffee. As a rough rule of thumb, one cup of herbal tea provides a daily dose for an adult. One teaspoon is a daily dose for a child under 12. While there are certain herbal teas which are considered safe for children, it's best not to give them ANY, except under expert, professional, supervision. Children's bodies are immature, and they react to substances in very different ways from adults. This is why herbal teas/medications are not generally recommended for pregnant women - they can have adverse effects on the developing foetus - or cause abortion (or at the least uterine contractions). I suggest for your garden, you think first about the ailments you want to treat yourself for. If you suffer headaches, you might choose feverfew, or thyme, or lavender. If you suffer frequent bouts of cystitis, you might choose agrimony, or nasturtium. For occasional bouts of indigestion, peppermint (or any mint) will do the job, but if you overdo the mint, it can have exactly the opposite effect. I strongly recommend that you do some homework before you start using herbal teas of ANY kind. Search the WWW for something like 'herbal treatment headache' and repeat for other ailments. Make sure to take note of any contraindications (such as diabetes, pregnancy, heart problems, blood pressure problems etc) and unwanted side effects. For instance, lemon balm (an apparently innocuous little herb!) makes quite a nice-tasting tea. However, it is contraindicated for use by people with thyroid dysfunction, and it can cause night-sweats (a real problem for menopausal women). It can also sensitise a person to other allergens. Another herb commonly thought to be harmless, and given to children as a sedative is chamomile. However: Sufferers of allergies to daisies, ragweed, asters or chrysanthemums should avoid using chamomile. Allergic reactions include difficulty with breathing, throat constriction, swelling of lips, tongue or face, or hives. In cases of fragile pregnancy, chamomile should be avoided as it will promote a delayed menses. May cause stomach upsets, including vomiting, in some people. Do not use chamomile if taking blood-thinning or other sedative medications. Are you beginning to see what I'm saying here? When there is a benefit (an upside), there is almost always a disadvantage (a downside) when it comes to herbs. Just be aware! You really need to do your homework on this one. Grow the herbs of your choice, and use them in your cooking, but be aware that in medicinal doses (like tea) you should regard them with the same cautions as you would a cabinet full of pills.

Had some Labrador Tea tea at bedtime last night. And it was a good thing that I had all night to "think" about it, as any definition initially failed me. The best one word description is smooth. I wouldn't call it sweet, yet adding sugar is not necessary. There is a light taste of a tannin, reminiscent of the earthy bog where it grows, but not strongly astringent or biting. Quick brewing, the color is golden. Unlike pekoe teas, brewing more than a minute doesn't seem to enhance or strengthen the flavor. I include Basswood tea here because Labrador Tea tea is similar. Both seem to have the same base tanin flavor: Labrador Tea with the earthy bog twist, and Basswood with the added flavor of its flower's aroma. Not surprising as the tea is made with the dried flowers themselves. If you have ever had Basswood honey, the same flavor is there too. Basswood tea is even more smooth than Labrador Tea tea, but there is a quality about it that, for me at least, was not offensive yet it needed a bit of getting use to. In North America, Basswood (Linden) is Tilia americana. In Europe, it is Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata). When we visit our relatives in Slovenia, this is the tea they had and used almost daily, gathered from the nearby woods. And since I don't like coffee, this is why I got used to it. Littleleaf Basswood is also the national tree of Slovenia. Unlike our state tree (any guesses?), they take it very seriously. The two species of Basswood teas taste the same to me, although I have never tried them side by side. Rick P.S. The Minniesota state tree is the Norway pine or Red pine (Pinus resinosa).