The days around summer solstice can also be a wonderful time to gather and harvest herbs for herbal preparations. Certain herbs like lemon balm, mint, rose, sun like calendula, St John’s wort and elderflower should be looking at their best right now and are perfect for collecting and drying. Lemon balm and mint can be bundled together and hung up to dry while elderflowers and roses can be dried flat on a screen or in a dehumidifier. If the weather is sunny then sun teas are a gorgeous thing to make.
Here is a recipe for my Midsummer Sun Tea
This tea is such a treat and a celebration of the summer season. There’s nothing quite like sipping this gently brewed sun infusion to appreciate the beauty of the garden and the magic of midsummer.
YOU’LL NEED//
Fresh edible garden herbs
Jar and lid
METHOD//
Fill a clear jar with fresh edible herbs from the garden, I personally love the combination of lemonbalm, rose petals, mint and calendula.
Pour over enough filtered water to cover the herbs and seal with a lid.
Leave in direct sunlight for around 4 hours.
Strain and drink the warmed, aromatic water and give thanks for summer!
If you want to learn more about the herbs mentioned be sure to check out my new book The Garden Apothecary which covers 20 commonly found herbs and all the techniques you need to become a home herbalist.
For those of you who are top tier supporters of the podcast over on Patreon, I will be sending you a dried version of my midsummer sun tea to brew anytime you like. The teas will be winging their way to you very soon. If youd like to support the podcast please do head over to patreon.com/beckyocole to get extra bonus audios and vlogs every month.