COOL DOWN WITH HERBAL POPSICLES
We’re in the last month of the summer and the garden is in full bloom! I love being able to utilize the flowers and herbs coming up in the garden when they are at their peak of abundance. In a previous blog I talked about using the power of the sun to make a sun-infused tea. In this post, I’d like to share an iced herbal treat to help beat the summer heat.
Sipping herbal tea is something I do all year long, but the summertime calls for something cold on my lips. Herbal popsicles are a fun and easy way to enjoy the benefits of a herbal infusion, along with offering an easy way for kids to take their prescribed tea formula.
If administering herbal popsicles as herbal medicine it is best to not use these in cases such as flu, colic, ear infections, and respiratory infections, as they are too cold. They are, however, great for teething babies and for pregnant moms. For example, making an herbal popsicle of red raspberry leaf and its fruit is a refreshing and supportive treat in the later months of pregnancy.
Creating your own pops is also a great way to control sugar intake and fun DIY activity for the kidlets home for summer break! Really any herb works, and you can play and have fun with these by adding berries or whole flowers for beauty.
Here are a few of my favourite herbs and their medicinal properties:
Chamomile: Calming to the nervous system, anti-inflammatory, promotes digestion.
Lemon Balm: Calming for stress and anxiety, anti-viral.
Lavender: Stimulating, delicious combined with lemon balm.
Rosehips: Packed full of vitamin C, these will also turn your popsicle a blush pink.
Elderflowers: Great as an immune tonic.
Mint: Aids in digestion, helps ease nausea and stomach cramps.
Ginger: Aids in digestion and nausea.
Red Clover Flowers: Helpful detox for all skin conditions, high in calcium and other minerals.
Red Raspberry Leaf & Fruits: Tonic tea for pregnancy, highly nutritive, rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
Feel free if you don’t have fresh herbs to use dried herbs that you can get at your local health food store, or use pre-made herbal teas already in your cupboard. Our Tummy ease, Mom to Be or New Mama Comfort Tea make delicious infusions for herbal pops that can be enjoyed by the whole family!
To Make Herbal Popsicles:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then pour over your fresh or dried herbs. Use 4-6 teaspoons of dried herb or 6-8 tbsp of fresh.
- Steep the tea for 10-15 minutes, then strain out the herbs with a fine mesh sieve and stir in the honey to your desired sweetness.
- Let the tea cool down a bit (you can add a few ice cubes to speed up the process), then pour it into a popsicle mold. Freeze for several hours or overnight.
- For added fun use fresh fruit or flowered or whole herbs such as lavender, mint or red clover tops at the bottom of your popsicle mold for a beautiful yet tasty and healthy treat!