Bonnie Rose Weaver explained the benefits of each plant and their scientific names. Then the class drank some of the tea to see what the flavor was like. After that, the class wrote down all the benefits of each plant. Finally, the class mixed their own teas with several different plants. This was so their tea could provide a variety of different benefits.
The class learned that tea is helpful for reducing asthma. Using tea can be helpful to relax, lower cramps, digestion and many more. Chamomile was the most beneficial herb because it is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Herbs are a natural medicine - with capsules, our bodies have to break it down first, then find out where it’s supposed to go.
The class composed a list of the benefits each herb provides as seen below:
1. Nettle: Rich in nutrients - multivitamins, coffee alternative, antihistamine - great for allergies.
2. Chamomile: Good for digestion, helps with sleep, calming, cramps, pink eye, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antifungal, helps with stomach aches, and safe for babies.
3. Raspberry Leaf: Rich in nutrients - multivitamins, contains magnesium - helps with cramps (menstrual cramps as well), and it is good for pregnant people.
4. Lemon Verbena: It has a good flavor.
5. Mint: Cooling, fresh, and antispasmodic.
6. Lavender: Helps with sleep, relaxing, antibacterial, antimicrobial
Each student took a tea blend home for their own reasons as seen below:
1. Liam: I made a tea blend that had Chamomile as the main ingredient to calm an upset stomach. I also added Nettles for the nutrients, and Raspberry for the flavor.
2. Jasper: I made a blend of nettle, lemon verbena, mint, and a bit of raspberry leaf. It’s intended to help as an anti-inflammatory, to calm nerves, and taste good.
3. Leslie: I chose chamomile, raspberry, and lavender. I chose chamomile and raspberry for health (digestion and cramps) and lavender for smell.
4. Shada: I blended raspberry leaf, mint, chamomile, and nettle. I chose raspberry leaf because it helps with menstrual cramps. I added chamomile because it has a lot of benefits. For example, it helps with sleep digestion, and it is antibacterial, anti inflammatory, and antifungal. I added nettle because it is rich in nutrients. Finally, I chose mint because I usually put mint in my tea and it makes it taste better.