Although most herbs are just as value-packed dried, many people prefer them in liquid form, either hot or cold. The following is a guide to making your own herbal teas (or ades) at home: Parsley : Rich in vitamin C and iron, parsley tea is made by placing the herb in boiling water, letting it steep for a few minutes and then draining it.

Parsley tea makes a good diuretic.

Garlic : "Very few people will use it as a tea,'' Patricia Wilson says of garlic, which is commonly chewed as a solid. If, however, you prefer your garlic, which has numerous curative properties, in liquid form, simply grate a few bulbs into a cup of hot water and drink. Do not strain it.

Aloe : Commonly used by Bermudians as a topical treatment for sunburns, the aloe plant, which is high in vitamins C and B complex, also makes a fine tea.

To make aloe tea, simply steep the plant in boiling water that has cooled, let it bleed a while and drink. "It doesn't have much of a taste on its own,'' says Ms Wilson of the aloe, which effectively eliminates toxins from the body, "but it can be flavoured with a twist of mint.'' Fennel : According to Ms Wilson, "fennel tea is good, but the boiling weakens it. I would use both the green (fern-like leaves) and the dry (body of the plant) when boiling.'' Again, the herbalist says, the fennel should be allowed to bleed into the water, and can be taken hot or cold. "It's called nature's Alka Seltzer,'' Ms Wilson adds of the plant, which is good for intestinal problems.

Hibiscus : To make a hibiscus ade, steep the flower in very hot water, let it bleed and remove. "It makes a nice punch,'' Ms Wilson claims of the flower, which effectively cleanses the blood. "You would drink that cold, and can flavour it with lemon or honey.''