Thé D’Europe
Thé D’Europe is made from Gypsyweed. Gypsyweed has a slightly bitter and astringent taste, which led to its use as a tea substitute in 19th-century France, where it was called Thé d'Europe, or "Europe Tea." The French still use this term as a name for Speedwell. It has a pleasant, delicately herbal taste, not unlike Green Tea.
These plants can also be used to make a natural wash for the eyes and skin. To make this, prepare the tea with fresh plants, allow to cool, then strain the liquid to create the wash, which can be applied to the skin or eyes with a cotton cloth to relieve irritation. When Sybbie was a tiny baby, her eyes became quite gunked-up. Arthur would diligently head out into the woods everyday to gather gypsyweed and speedwells to make this wash for her.
Ingredients
Prep Time: 5 Mins
- For Fresh Tea: 7-10 fresh sprigs of healthy Gypsyweed (Veronica officinalis) complete with leaves and flower. Alternatively, you can use Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys).
- For Dried Tea: 1 tsp of dried Gypsyweed or Germander Speedwell.
Method
For fresh Tea:
- Making Gypsyweed tea is simple, Just steep 7-10 sprigs of the plant in boiling water for 5 minutes and add sugar to taste if desired.
For Dried Tea:
- Harvest and wash a desired amount of Gyspyweed or Speedwells.
- Dry the plants in a dehydrator.
- Strip the leaves and flowers from the stems and store these in a clean, dry jar.
- Use 1 tsp in a tea strainer and steep in just-boiled water for 5 minutes. Add sugar to taste, if desired.
