Wild heather tea

Since moving up north I’ve spent more time out in nature and I feel a stronger connection to it now than ever before. I love to venture out to relax, explore and do photography. I also feel a growing interest for foraging. I love learning about what’s available out there and how to use it. 

I recently learned that one of the plants I often stop to take pictures of – heather – has other properties besides being pretty, like being used to make wild heather tea!

I feel this a skill forgotten by most of us, as we’ve moved in to a digital era we have lost our connection with nature. I want to find that connection again, make it stronger. I also hope to inspire you to do the same. 

When being out foraging in nature, remember to leave everything better than you found it. Don’t leave trash around, and if you happen to find traces of others – bring it home with you. Gather with care too, never take to much from one spot or plant!

Heather has been used for many things throught the years. The roots were used to make baskets and the green shoots gave a beautiful yellow color to fabric and yarn. The sticks were used to make brooms. Poor people who did not have any straw used heather for their pillows and mattresses.

Now a days it’s mostly used for tea and has a calming, soothing effect.

 

– source, Dags att plocka

When I was out picking blueberries the other day I decided to gather some heather as well, to bring home and dry to make wild heather tea. 

As an advocate for slow living and trying to break free from the norms of working too much, I feel walking in the forest foraging berries and plants is a nice contrast to it all. Then you get to come home and sit on the porch, your balcony or by the kitchen table with a cup of coffee preparing what you’ve gathered.

I hung my heather in bouquets and after a few days they felt dry enough. I took off all the flowers and leaves and placed in a jar and just having it displayed on a shelf is beautiful. As always, seeing what I’ve gathered outdoors make me feel richer than ever. 

Putting flavours into words is difficult for me, but I’d say the tea tastes floral and sweet – if that makes sense? I like it and since I often have a hard time falling asleep I plan to try making this tea a part of my evening routine while winding down with a book or some writing.

Hopefully it will help me sleep better, either way enjoying a cup of wild heather tea is a lovely, calming experience that I enjoy very much.

Have you made tea from plants or herbs gathered in nature? I’d love to hear about it!

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