Tea Party for Mom and the Colicky Infant

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I usually don't like to recommend herbal remedies for children. It has nothing to do with the safety of the herb. I hesitate because I don't want my suggestion of a remedy to cause a parent to diagnose the condition and possibly mask symptoms that prevent the child from receiving professional care. 

I only offer the following information because Pediatrics reviewed 15 clinical trials on infantile colic and recently released the results of the study. They have determined what we already knew. Herbs can help ease the symptoms of colic.

Fennel extract seems to be the most effective herbal remedy for the baby showing symptoms of colic. Fennel seeds are a natural aid to digestion. They help to expel gas as they relax the muscle lining of the digestive tract.

German chamomile and lemon balm also showed effectiveness is the clinical trials. These herbs are often recommended for teas to give a calming effect to the drinker.

A tea made with a combination of fennel, balm mint, licorice and chamomile was also studied for their effects on infants and found effective.

After a sleepless night spent trying to sooth a crying baby, both mom and her child could benefit from the soothing tea. Mom can brew a double batch and enjoy her cup, diluting some and letting it cool before letting the baby join her relaxing tea moment.

There were no recommendations made during the study of the strength of the concoction for the colicky infant. Like all herbal remedies, introduce the new herbal remedy in small doses to make sure that the substance is well tolerated.

Let the herbal tea cool before giving it the baby.

Herbal remedies are never meant to substitute for medical care or treatments that are suggested by your health team. They are offered as a temporary way to ease the occasional problem. If the problem persists, call the doctor.

All written content ©2011 Patrice Campbell unless otherwise noted.

Divide and Share Your Garden Herbs

As you do the spring cleanup of the herb garden, you’ll probably find shoots from the perennial herbs and want to take a quick break for a cup of herbal tea as the scent from the fresh, tender leaves surround you. Before you start the teakettle, take the time to divide the thyme, chive, oregano and mint plants first, and turn that fresh herb tea time into a gathering with friends. Present each guest with a potted herb you’ve taken from your garden and trade herbal recipes and gardening tips.

Remember not to let your guests thank you for a shared garden plant. By gardening tradition, that thanks is done by passing a rooting or division on to someone else.

Once back to the herb garden, look over the upright thyme and lavender and give them a light groom. Don’t pull them out, even though they probably look quite dead. It takes a bit longer for new growth to show on the old branches of these herb plants. The deadwood can be identified and removed later in the spring, once the new growth has sprouted from most of the branches.

The tarragon, sage, lavender and thyme probably look like they won’t survive, but leave them alone. Pull the weeds, but don’t cut back the herbs until strong new growth appears.

As the April showers bring the herbs to life, continue to divide root clumps and runner roots so that the herb plants get good air circulation. When your friend’s gardens are full, consider donating the potted herbs to clubs holding fundraisers. Senior citizen clubs are often filled with gardeners who would enjoy receiving a living herb plant. Make sure the pots are properly marked with the name of the herb.

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Cheezy Herb Wedges Recipe

On cold blustery winter days I love home made soup. I like to have a big pot of it and I freeze cooled portions in freezer bags so I can have it when I please.

A perfect companion to homemade soup is homemade bread or rolls. But who has the time to bake homemade bread? Luckily, I found this recipe that is based on Bisquick. It doesn't have to rise, so prep time is just minutes, and it bakes up in another 25. By the time you fix a cup of herbal tea and warm up the soup, the whole house smells good and you know it's time to eat.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
grease a round 8" cake pan

In a medium bowl, mix:

• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup wine (sauterne)

 Add

• 2 t. dried minced onion
• 2 cups Bisquick
• 1 T. sugar
• 1/2 t. dried dill
• 1/2 t. oregano
• 1/2 t. basil

Beat the mixture until blended.
Pour into the greased cake pan.
Sprinkle 1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I like the extra sharp) over the mixture and bake for about 25 minutes. Serve with butter.

If any of the bread is left over, which I doubt, toast it, cube it and use it in salads.

What are your favorite herbs to add to bread? Do you make herb butter for bread? Please share.

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Add a Medicinal Herb to Your Favorite Cup of Herbal Tea

Identifying the perfect blend of herbs for tea may take some time because once the perfect blend is found, you realize other herbs and spices can be added to give it the extra zing you sometimes need.

 Medicinal herbs can be added to tea bring relief on those sick days when you use herbal tea as a comfort drink. If the herb with the properties your body needs doesn't suit your taste, simply stir in a teaspoon of honey. It will sweeten the tea, mask the taste of the medicinal herb and soothe the throat.

Medicinal Herbs

• Headaches can be eased with equal amounts of thyme, rosemary and lavender.
• Yarrow, boneset, rosemary, lavender and thyme can all temporarily relieve the symptoms of colds and flu.
• When you're not feeling well, no matter what the cause, you can calm your nerves with a brew of marjoram, chamomile, thyme, sage or catnip.

The herb yarrow has been used to treat almost everything, so if you like the taste, try incorporating yarrow into your herb tea blend as well as your herb garden. It grows to a height of 2 to three feet, so plant it in a spot that will highlight your garden.

Boneset, an herb once listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as an official medicine, tastes awful, but also has a list of medicinal herb uses. If you want to give the herb boneset a try, be prepared to use a lot of honey to mask the taste, or, if you drink a lot of tea, set aside the boneset decoction and add a bit at a time to each cup of your favorite fresh herbal tea.

One of the oldest herbal medicines is thyme. At one time it was used to prevent nightmares, and is still popular as a headache remedy.

And don't forget to visit the Herbal Tea Recipe Swap article to get ideas and share your favorite herbal tea recipes.

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Herbal Tea Recipe Swap

There is something about a bracing cup of herbal tea to take away a chill, and as I was looking out the window at the snow covered ground yesterday I started wondering about blending herbs for experimental brews. So I decided to do some investigating to see what others liked.


It seems mint is popular with most people. But there are so many mints it would take the rest of the winter to try them all. Luckily, Iced Mint Tea also seems to be a winner.

When making herbal tea, use 2 leaves of herb per cup. Don’t brew herbal tea in a metal container, and strain tea leaves before drinking.

Fill the cup with boiling water and let it steep. If you cover the cup with the saucer, it will keep it from cooling quickly. If you like sweet tea, add 1 teaspoon of honey.

Applemint tea is a favorite of many, especially during the holidays, with a little added cinnamon. It sounds like it would also be a good iced tea.

I really enjoy spearmint tea, but I tend to reserve it for when my tummy is bothering me.

Orangemint has also been recommended. As has pineapple mint and peppermint. Peppermint is available in black or white.

Catnip is considered a mint, and makes a relaxing bedtime drink, unless you’re a cat.

While mint makes a wonderful tea on its own, it also enhances your favorite brand of commercial tea.

Other herbal tea favorites include lemon balm and lemon verbena.

A blend of thyme, oregano, chamomile, marjoram and sage is a sworn favorite of my friend Phyllis. She uses the herbs in equal measurements.

I think a bit of sage and rosemary added to peppermint tea would be good, as would a blend of the citrus mints.

Once you find your favorite blend, experiment by adding medicinal herbs to your brew. Especially during flu season.  Learn more about medicinal herbs.

If you have a favorite herbal tea blend, please share it in the comment section below. It would help a lot of us with our plans for the organic herb garden.

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