My Fair Lady

The source for your next cup of herbal tea could be right outside your door. In fact, I’ve often claimed that the medicinal herb you need is probably growing in your yard, often among the weeds you’ve tried to eliminate for years. It’s fascinating how frequently this has turned out to be true! Interestingly, in every home I’ve lived, I’ve found a common local weed called Lady’s Thumb (Polygonum persicaria), which is easily recognized by the unique dark blotch that resembles a thumbprint on its long, narrow leaves attached to jointed stems.

The name “Lady’s Thumb” reflects its long history of being effectively used for various “lady’s issues.” For more details, visit my Herbs A to Z catalog. In this post, I will concentrate on preparing a delightful herbal tea with Lady’s Thumb, which can also enhance the flavor of other teas.

For over ten years, I relied on Lady’s Thumb tincture to alleviate the achy joints and brain fog associated with my Lyme Disease flare-ups. A few years, I was thrilled to discover that the tincture effectively eased my food sensitivities to citrus and avocado—just a few drops before and after enjoying these favorites made a difference. Additionally, I found that taking Lady’s Thumb tincture regularly relieved my annual winter dryness.

I had never thought about making an infusion, or tea, with Lady’s Thumb because of its extreme mucilaginous qualities. I assumed it would be slimy and unpleasant, much like the texture of the plant when preparing a tincture. A few years ago, a mother with a young child inquired about herbs for food sensitivity but was reluctant to use a tincture due to its alcohol content. With some hesitation, I decided to try infusing Lady’s Thumb in hot water, and to my delightful surprise, a very neutral, even appealing taste!

Since then, I frequently add fresh, chopped Lady’s Thumb to my teas during its growing season, and I’ve seen a notable improvement my chronic digestive issues. I also appreciate the pleasing mouthfeel it brings to every type of herbal tea. It’s as easy as adding torn stems, leaves, and flowers of Lady’s Thumb to a water bottle. I often mix in herbs like lemon balm, tulsi, or wood sorrel, but I always include Lady’s Thumb. I can’t think of any reason not to try Lady’s Thumb as a hot or cold infusion!  Additionally, Lady’s Thumb dries easily, so you can enjoy it all winter long in your comforting teas.

Lady’s Thumb is one of many wild plants that can be used to make a hot or cold infusion. My friend Susannah Schurak authored a terrific article about many other wild teas, and I highly recommend giving it a look. You might also be interested in a video on my website from a class I have taught titled “Tea: Elixir of Life.” I close with a favorite quotation: “There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.”

Lady's Thumb typically grows close to the ground, sometimes reaching 1 to 2 feet high.

Left: Lady's Thumb allowed to grow next to a raised-bed garden in early summer. Right: Same Lady's Thumb plant two months later, taller than me!