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Navajo Tea
navajocodetalkersadmin on March 7, 2018 - 10:00 am in Navajo History
Navajo tea goes by many different names, but it is made from the same basic herb. Called "Greenthread," the plant has thin leaves that literally look like a green piece of thread. It grows over the Western and Midwestern United States, with some versions of the herb only growing at higher altitudes.
To make the tea, the herb is bundled together into thick bushels that fit within a pan. About 6 cups of water is used for the traditional boiling process, which takes about 5 minutes to complete. Once finished, honey or sugar can be added to the tea according to personal taste.
This creates a tea beverage that offers a mild flavor, is somewhat sweet on its own, and has a somewhat Earthy overtone to it.
How Greenthread Becomes Navajo Tea
Greenthread should be harvested for tea just as its flowers, which look like small daisies, begin to open. Once the herb is picked, it must be washed thoroughly. Then the herb must be dried in the sun.
Once the herb has completely dried, the plant can be folded. This is how the bushels, or bundles, are created to make the tea. For an extra strong cup of tea, try boiling the bundles for 10 minutes instead of just 5 minutes.
What Are the Benefits of Navajo Tea?
The Navajo people make this tea because it has incredible anti-inflammatory properties. In traditional tribal medicine, the tea was used for general pain issues, including stiffness and soreness. People dealing with chronic joint pain could find some relief by consuming this tea on a regular basis.
Navajo tea is also said to be able to calm an upset stomach. Issues with acid reflux can be reduced by consuming this tea before or during a meal for some individuals.
This tea also has a calming effect on the nervous system. It is naturally caffeine-free, so it can be consumed at all hours of the day without the worries of a stimulant.
It also provides these benefits.
It works as a diuretic.
It helps with the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
It may help to keep platelets from sticking together to improve blood flow.
Navajo tea has been brewed for hundreds of years and is readily available to everyone today. Look for Yanabah tea at your local retailer or online to try it for yourself.
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