Summer Solstice is Sunday, June 20th 2021!
I LOVE Summer Solstice!
Each year I find a new way to celebrate and this year I’m making sun teas :)
A sun tea is simply a tea that’s warmed by the power of sunlight! No other heating necessary. This makes is super easy to do, AND a perfect way to celebrate the sun-earth dance that is Solstice!
All you need is some form of tea, a jar, and a warm enough climate!
Lemon Balm - Chamomile - Calendula - Lemon
There’s endless tea combinations out there!
Here’s a few of my favorite ingredients:
— Fresh or dried herbs like mint, rosemary, lemon balm, holy basil, calendula, rose petals.
— Roots like ginger, turmeric, licorice (mince or fine chop roots + other tough ingredients).
— Summer fruits like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, lemons, limes.
— Spices like cinnamon, cayenne, vanilla.
Blue Lotus - Chamomile stems (**plant stems have medicine and aroma too!)
Making sun tea is fun! And the act of “making” tea can be medicine in and of itself.
For me, it’s like a party and a reconnecting ritual :)
Hibiscus - Calendula - Spearmint
How To
— Grab a big mason jar and fill ~1/8 of jar (big handful) with tea ingredients
Fresh or dried herbs, teas, teabags, spices, fruits, anything you want! Fill the rest of the jar with purified water.
— Put on lid and place outside in direct sunlight for 1-4 hours.
Timing depends on your ingredients and how strong your sun is! Here in Santa Cruz it wasn’t too hot so I left them in direct sunlight on my deck for ~3 hours.
One rule of thumb: when your jar gets to your desired color, it’s ready!
For Summer Solstice tea— make it a ritual! Put it outside and take it back in at a special time for you. If you wanna get buck, wake up at dawn to place your jar outside for the first stroke of light… enjoy throughout the day OR wait to bring it back in until sunset. #epic
— Strain your tea and enjoy!
Store extra in airtight jar in fridge for up to 3 days or freeze.
Alternatively, you can start out using a tea ball to hold all ingredients inside your jar so there is no need to strain. Simply add a few ice cubes and sip!
If this excites you, you may like to take things a step further! I’ve found great joy in making herbal tinctures, flower essences, and other medicines on Summer Solstice because there’s so much abundant energy! This is a great time to harness that energy in celebration & connection with plants.