I found this idea from Vegetarian Times July/August ’08 issue. They had a great article about all of the wonderful health benefits of chamomile. In a nut shell chamomile is an antispasmodic, and has antibacterial and antihistamine properties. Meaning, it calms the mind, tummy and uterus (during that crampy time of the month), helps fight infections (coughs and colds) and eases minor skin irritations and inflamation from cuts, burns, rashes, and bug bites. Amazing!
So, in this article they also had a recipe for Chamomile Lemonade. I love this idea because the kids can enjoy some healthful “sun tea” without the yucky caffeine. The recipe was for 2 quarts but I made a gallon. I also didn’t have enough chamomile tea bags and had to improvise with Sleepytime tea. It turned out so yummy. Here’s what I did:
1. Fill up a gallon tea jug with water leaving enough room for 2 cups of liquid to be added later.
2. Add 4 tea bags of chamomile and 4 bags of Sleepytime tea.
3. Put out into the sun for a couple of hours.
4. In a saucepan, heat 2 cups water, 3/4 cups sugar and grated lemon zest from 2 large lemons. When sugar has disolved,remove from heat and strain. Set aside and allow to cool. Your house will smell sooo gooood.
5. When sun tea is ready (golden in color) add lemony syrup and 1/2 cup lemon juice.
6. Pour some in a tall glass with ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.
This is a perfect drink to have after 4th of July feasting. Keeps everyone calm and happy.
Also, don’t throw those chamomile tea bags away. Pop them in the frezzer, then use them as cold compresses for small owies and bug bites.
Enjoy!!
OMG that looks sooooo yummy! I cannot wait to try!
That’s making me thirsty! Will try that wonderful drink too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh, I might try this! I am not a cold tea drinker except for chamomile. (My friend made me some in high school and I’ve loved it.)
Only reading it makes me wanting to make this! Gonna do that when the weather is great!
The recipe sounds yummy!
I just heard something about a new medicine that won’t be approved for a couple years yet for Alzheimers that I think is a antihistamine.
Maybe this herb will help without the chemicals being added.
I knew someone who was bit by a spider and the medicine wasn’t working. So his mom told him to make a poultice of chamomile and put on it. Cleared it up and healed it.
One of my brothers had ringworn when he was a kid and the medicine wouldn’t heal it. My step-dad mixed up some herbal rememdy and it healed it. But my mom couldn’t remember what he used though.
God Bless You and Yours and Your Creative Life!!!
This is great! My son loves lemonaid so we will be trying this soon. 🙂