Pain- and Inflammation-Reducing Tea

(from The Healing Herbs Cookbook, by Pat Crocker)

For best results, sip the tea while relaxing in a warm bath to which a few drops of essential oil of St. John’s Wort has been added.

• 1 cup alfalfa leaves and flowers
• 1 cup chamomile leaves
• ¼ cup dried ginger toot, crushed
• 3 tbsp crushed willow bark (contains salicylic acid, contraindicated for children under 12 and those allergic to ASA)
• 1 tbsp crushed ginger root

Blend ingredients together, store in an airtight jar in a dark, cool place.

To make one cup of tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tbsp tea blend. Drink while still hot before retiring or just before a time of quiet.

Makes 2 ¼ cups, about 35 cups of tea. Omit willow bark if not available. Helps to reduce swelling, and reduce pain of arthritis.