Swampgrass Tea

"Swampgrass Tea" is my name for my homemade multi-mineral herbal drink. I got the recipe from PrairieWise Herbal School down in Missouri, and have been drinking it off and on for years. Basically, I throw a handful of dried oatstraw and nettles into a canning jar, pour a few cups of boiling water over it, and cover for a few hours. The heat and time will break down cell walls and free the minerals inside. After a few hours, or overnight, strain the liquid out - if you don't do this step, it will turn REALLY NASTY and be fit only for compost.

So then, you can sip it through the day, slowly absorbing planty goodness. Oatstraw and nettles are both really high in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, and have other benefits like reducing stress. (These herbs are both considered "tonics," which are used for long periods of time to strengthen the body.) I found the taste of nettles to be a little too swampy, but the oatstraw seems to balance the flavor with some earthiness. And it seems to keep a couple of days when refrigerated, or at least a day at room temperature. If you drink some in the evening, it may increase mineral absorption rates, but you might find yourself getting up at some point, as oatstraw has a mild diuretic (urine-promoting) effect.

So why do all this instead of just taking a multi-mineral? Well, I just like herbs, for one thing, and I feel like I'm getting more benefits than just from a single pill. I also feel a sense of connection to where my nutrition comes from, and I take a moment to thank the plants for their life-sustaining gifts. Plus, it's just more DIY, duh.