Quick note
Echinacea , a flowering herbaceous plant renowned for its medicinal properties , is a natural redress for boosting immunity and alleviating various ailments . Harvesting echinacea for afternoon tea is a simple yetrewarding taskthat allows you to bask the benefits of this herb in its purest form . This comprehensive usher will walk you through theessential stepsofharvesting echinaceafor Camellia sinensis , ensuring you harvest the maximum benefit from this natural treasure .
Identifying Echinacea
Echinacea is a penis of thedaisy familyand is characterize by its classifiable strobilus - shaped flowers . There are threemain speciesof genus Echinacea used for medicative purposes :
Choosing the Right Time to Harvest
The idealistic clock time toharvest echinaceafor tea is during the florescence season , typically from mid - summer to early fall . The flowers and farewell take thehighest concentrationof active chemical compound at this time .
Harvesting Flowers
1 . Select mature flowers : Choose flowersthat arefully openand have a vivacious color.2 . foreshorten the peak : Usesharp shearsto cut the flowers at the fundament of the stem.3 . take excess leaf : Remove any leaves or staunch that are attached to the bloom .
Harvesting Leaves
1 . choose level-headed leaf : Choose leavesthat are green , undamaged , and free from pests.2 . Cut the leaves : make out the leaves at the base of the leafstalk ( foliage stalk).3 . Avoid harvesting too many leaves : Remove only a few leaves from each plant toprevent weakeningit .
Drying the Harvest
1 . propagate the flower and leaves : Arrange theharvested flowersand go forth on a clean , dry surface.2 . Choose a well - ventilated country : property thedrying materialsin a locating withgood air circulationto prevent mold growth.3 . Dry for several days : Allow the flowers and leaves to dry out for 3 - 5 days , or until they arecompletely dryand brittle .
Storing the Dried Echinacea
1 . Useairtight containers : Store thedried echinaceainairtight glass jarsor container to preserve its potency.2 . Keep in a cool , blue shoes : lay in the containers in a coolheaded , sinister place away from lineal sunlight.3 . Label the containers : Label the containers clearly with the date and type of genus Echinacea harvest .
Brewing Echinacea Tea
1 . Measure thedried echinacea : Use 1 - 2 teaspoonful of dried echinacea per cup of tea.2 . bring tohot piss : pour out hot waterover the genus Echinacea and permit it steep for 5 - 10 minutes.3 . Strain and enjoy : Strain the tea into a cup and enjoy its sulphurous yet refreshful smack .
Health Benefits of Echinacea Tea
Echinacea afternoon tea is anatural resistant boosterthatoffers numerous wellness benefits , including :
Precautions
Whileechinacea teaisgenerally safefor most citizenry , it ’s important to notice the following caution :
What You Need to Learn
Can Iharvest echinaceafrom any variety?Yes , you canharvest echinaceafor tea from any salmagundi , but E. purpurea , E. angustifolia , and E. pallida are the most commonly used . How long can I store dry echinacea?Properly store dried echinacea can last for up to 2 years . Can I usefresh echinaceafor tea?Yes , you’re able to usefresh echinaceafor tea , but dry theherb enhancesits potence and ledge biography . How often should I fuddle genus Echinacea tea?Forgeneral immune reinforcement , you candrink echinacea teaonce or twice a day . However , consult a health care professional for specific recommendation . Isechinacea tea effectiveforpreventing coldsand flu?Whileechinacea teamay notprevent coldsand flu , it can assist trim the severity and duration of symptom .