As mid-Summer approaches, the days grow longer and the countryside blooms full of flowers ready for pollination. This also means pollen counts increase and annoying hay fever and seasonal allergies can arise for some people. This easy-to-forage and make infusion can really help minimise symptoms. Combining these herbs can really help reduce sneezing, congestion and inflammation, and acts as a natural histamine. The tea can be drunk hot or cold and is very refreshing.
The elderflowers come out from May to July and are easy to forage in the countryside. Plantain you will find in shady and damp areas and mint you can easily grow or find in a friend's garden.
A simple yet effective way to minimise seasonal allergies.
Elderflower Hayfever Tea Recipe
Ingredients
🫖🫖🫖Small basket of foraged elderflowers ( Sambucus nigra flos)
Small basket of plantain leaves ( Plantago lanceolata)
Optional- Peppermint approx ( Mentha piperita)
Method
Carefully dry the herbs; you can do this with a dehydrator, or hanging in a warm place in a brown bag. Tip- herbs should be ‘crispy like cornflakes’ when successfully dried.
Remove and discard any stalks from the elderflower, and cut the plantain into small pieces
Add equal parts of the herbs and mix in well. ( You can add dried peppermint here if you like, if so, in three equal parts).
Store in a glass jar out of sunlight.
DIRECTIONS
Have 1- 2 cups daily, make each cup with 2 teaspoons of dried herb mix and 200mls of just boiled water. Infuse for 5 minutes.
Tip: add a teaspoon of local raw honey for an extra anti-allergy effect (after tea has cooled down a bit to preserve the honey's properties.)
When foraging always make sure you identify the right plant, always check with an expert if unsure or buy organic herbs from a herbalist or reputable herb supplier.
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