Summer Spritzer

newson June 8th, 2010Comments Off

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Here is a wonderful summer drink made with both fresh and dried herbs to help keep you cool during the hot days of summer!

Ingredients:

2 sprigs fresh lemon balm

2 sprigs fresh spearmint

1 tbsp dried licorice root

2 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers

1 cup of organic apple juice

1 cup sparkling mineral water

1/2 lemon or lime

Take the fresh herbs, wash and chop lightly to get more surface area and put all the herbs in a large glass jar (about 3 pints) and add freshly boiled water, let sit for about 15 minutes.  Strain into a clean jug (careful it’s still hot!) and let cool completely in the refrigerator.  When cool add the apple and lemon/lime juice with the sparkling water and serve over ice.  You now have an incredibly refreshing, cooling and calming summer time drink to enjoy and share with family and friends!

Melissa officinalis – Lemon Balm

newson May 12th, 2010Comments Off

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Melissa officinalis or Lemon balm is a member of the mint family.   Originally from the Mediterranean, it now grows all through Europe.  The Arabs were the first to recognize it’s virtues, using it for melancholy, mental illness and epilepsy.  Paracelsus said that ‘the essence of balm given in wine every morning will renew youth, strengthen the brain, relieve languishing nature and prevent baldness’.  The name Melissa is Greek for ‘Honey Bee’, relating to why beekeepers will rub their hives to attract the bees.
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