Flavored Kombucha

I've been making flavored kombucha recently. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. It's yummy!  

After the kombucha is done brewing, (I've been letting it ferment for about 2 weeks. How long you ferment it is up to you. I've heard of people doing it from 5 days, up to a month) bottle it, (I got some great bottles from  here ) and add whatever you're using to flavor it to the bottle.

I've made ginger kombucha by adding crystalized ginger to it.
I've made cranberry, and pineapple by adding those fruits.
You can also add juice, I haven't tried it yet though.
Adding cranberry makes it taste like really yummy, less tart cranberry juice.
The ginger makes it taste like ginger ale. Yum.

Let the kombucha sit for a day or two or three, to let the flavor develop well.

If you use those air tight bottles, be EXTREMELY careful when opening it. Adding fruit/ginger to the bottle and letting it sit for a few days causes it to ferment again, and it also creates lots of carbonation..and kombucha can be sticky, and difficult to clean off the ceiling. I put a towel on top of the bottle, and open it VERY slowly, letting some of the pressure release, and I have a glass handy to pour it into right away if it's still bubbling a lot.

You can buy a kombucha culture Here. If you know me and want one, I have extras. They reproduce themselves. A lot. So you never need to worry about your culture dying..there's always more.

Mama's Milk Tea

As a nursing mom, I have had a few times when it didn't seem like I had enough milk. I had several days in a row where I felt empty most of the time.
 I found a fantastic tea that works really, really well. It boosted my milk supply within an hour or two. In fact, the first time I made it, I made a quart of it, and was engorged before I finished it. Needless to say, I didn't drink so much so quickly again.

It's a blend of Red Raspberry Leaf, Fennel Seed, Nettle Leaf, Fenugreek Seed, Dandelion Leaf, and Blessed Thistle.

I really like it. It tastes quite good with honey. I had some last night.

You can get it from bulkherbstore. There's a link on this blog. It's where I get all my herbs.  They sell great quality stuff.

Current Tinctures

At the moment, I have 2 tinctures going. A Hawthorn berry tincture, and an Echinacea tincture.

Hawthorn is THE heart herb. It does a really fantastic job of caring for your heart.
It regulates your heartbeat. It regulates high and low blood pressure. It calms inflamation of the heart muscle. It strengthens the heart muscle and the nerves to the heart. It's fantastic for preventing or treating a heart attack. If you have a history of heart attacks in your family, I would highly suggest taking this. I would highly suggest taking it anyway. It's just so awesome.
 The recommended dose is a dropper full 3 times a day.
 To make the tincture, steep 4 oz the berries in a pint of brandy for 2-4 weeks, then strain out the liquid.

Echinacea: It's a wonderful infection fighter, and a powerful natural antibiotic. A good cleanser for glands, and the lymphatic system.
One of the best herbs for helping enlargements and weakness of the prostate gland.
Used for ear aches and strep throat.
Blood purifier.
If used with chickweed, can help with weight loss.
Antiseptic.
Can help fight fevers.
Has been used to help with acne.
Can be used for imflammation externally.
It's good for many, many other things as well.

Regular use of Echinacea can cause it to have less of an effect on the body. Only use it when you know you need it.
It can be used by anyone. Men, women (including pregnant or nursing women), or children. Even animals.

Fill a quart jar up 1/2 to 2/3 full of Echinacea, then fill jar with vodka. Let sit 2-4 weeks, shaking a few times a week.

You can get these herbs, and many others at the link on my page that says Bulkherbstore. I buy all my herbs from there. They're a wonderful company. 

Sleep Glycerite

I made a sleep glycerite today. I have trouble falling asleep sometimes, and this really helps.
  A glycerite is an herbal tincture made of glycerin, instead of alcohol or vinegar.
 To make a glycerite, you fill a glass jar 1/3 to 1/2 full of herbs (1/2 full will make a stronger glycerite), put enough hot water in the jar to fully wet the herbs, then fill the jar 1-2 inches from the top with vegetable glycerin. You can find glycerin here. That website is also where I get my herbs from.

 The herbs I used for this sleep glycerite are:
 Chamomile, Hops, Catnip, Valerian Root, and Passionflower.
 You can also add lemon balm and oatstraw. It's really whatever combination you want. I didn't have Valerian the last time I made one, so this will be my first time using it.

 After you get everything in the jar, put a lid on it. Put a cloth in the bottom of a crock pot, fill the crock pot up halfway or more, and place the jar in it. Leave on low setting for 3 days. If your low setting is too hot, and it seems like it's cooking the herbs, then it will not take as long.

After 3 days, strain out the liquid, label a jar, and store it in a dark cool place. I keep mine in the fridge.

 I usually take a tablespoon at night before I go to bed.