Loose-Leaf Tisanes, Some Ingredients and Their Uses

     These are some of the permaculture offerings I grow in my garden. Discovered that dried tea is much more appealing when when dried colorful edible flowers are added.
     Interestingly, Celestial Seasonings blueberry herbal tea is made from hibiscus, rose hips, orange peel, blackberry leaves, blueberries, and blueberry leaves.
     Another homesteader called Hummingbird Creations sells her leaf teas 10 bags for $3.50 plus $6.50 shipping.

Beautyberry - Antioxidant, Antiviral, and Anti-inflammatory. Diuretic. Has flavonoids and phenols.
     Use - Reduce rheumatism and fevers. Reduces tumor growth in laboratories.

Lemon Leaves - Antioxidant.
     Use - relieve anxiety, insomnia, migraines, asthma.

Loquat Leaves - High in antioxidants and caretenoids (boost immune system). Reduces inflammation. 
     Use - Relieve coughs/bronchitis/asthma, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and prevents cancer. Antioxidant.

Tangerine Leaves - Antioxidant, has flavone and limonin. 
     Use - Antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory.

Shell Ginger Leaves - Antioxidant.
     Use - Relieve nausea, indigestion, motion sickness, colds/flu. Lowers blood pressure, prevents heart attacks, prevents blood clots, lowers cholesterol, improves blood circulation.

Mexican Sunflower Leaves - Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory
     Use - Reduces pain, reduces blood glucose levels, 
Cardamom Ginger Leaves - has a peppery taste. Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant.
     Use - relieves nausea

Mulberry Leaves - Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant. Contains flavonoids.
     Use - Lowers blood glucose levels. Lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol. Increases fat burning and promotes weight loss.

Pinecone Ginger Leaves - Antioxidant. Contains saponins.
     Use - Relieves nausea, reduces cough/colds, anti-tumor.

Copperleaf Leaves - Antioxidant. Has laxative properties in larger amounts. Diuretic.
     Use - Lowers blood glucose levels, prevents cancer, prevents cardiovascular disease, treats constipation.

Passionflower Leaves - Increases GABA
     Use - decrease anxiety, treat insomnia, reduces intensity of hot flashes

Spiderwort Leaves - Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diarrheal, Analgesic.
     Use - Reduce cough/colds/diarrhea. Increases brrast milk.

Lemongrass Leaves - Antioxodant, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory. Diuretic.
     Use - Reduces anxiety, prevents dental caries, relieves pain, boosts formation of red blood cells.

Hibiscus Leaves - Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory.
     Use - Relieves coughs and cold, regulates mood, lowers blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, supports weight loss. Treats depression.

Muscadine Grape Leaves - Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory. Contain Vitamin E and polyphenols. Has an excellent mild flavor not unlike green tea.
     Use - Reduce nausea, improve skin quality, reduce pedal edema, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, reduce headaches.

Sweet Potato Leaves - Contain Omega 3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins. Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory.
     Use - Reduces blood glucose levels, prevents cancer.

Cape Honeysuckle Leaves - Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Anti-inflammatory. Diuretic. Contains phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids.
     Use - Reduce insomnia, reduce diarrhea. Reduces blood glucose levels.

Napier Grass - No significant medicinal value.

Hoja Santa Leaves - contain safrole and might be carcinogenic.

Papyrus Leaves - No significant medicinal value.

Spanish Needle Leaves - Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory. Has a similar nutrient profile as kale. 
     Use - Topically or eaten to reduce inflammation.

Muscadine Grape seeds - Antioxidant. Contain Vitamin E, linoleic acid, and flavonoids.
     Use - Increases blood flow, prevents cancer, prevent dementia, treats depression.


🌺 Chinese Hibiscus flowers
Turks Cap Hibiscus flowers
Sage flowers 
Sunflower petals 
Marigold flowers
Rose petals
Spiderwort petals
Cape honeysuckle petals
Spanish Needle flowers

Prickly Pear Fruit
Loquat fruit
Lemon peel
Tangerine peel
Muscadine Grapes