| How to Make Lemongrass Tea Posted: 04 Feb 2019 04:00 PM PST Lemongrass tea is soothing, citrusy, and absolutely delicious. It's not actually tea, since it's made from lemongrass stalks instead of tea leaves, but this herbal beverage is perfect served hot or cold. Even better, it's super easy to make yourself! EditIngredients - water
- 2 cups (150 g) lemongrass stalks
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar (optional)
- Milk, cream, honey, ginger, and/or lime (optional)
EditBrewing the Tea - Chop 2 cups of lemongrass stalks or leaves. Hit the stalks with the flat side of your knife blade to bruise them. This will release the fragrant oil inside of the tough stalks. Then, carefully give the lemongrass a rough chop. The pieces should be about long.[1]
- If you're using home-grown lemongrass, you can use the leaves to make the tea. There's no need to bruise the leaves, though.
- Chop the lemongrass on a cutting board so you don't dull your knife blade or damage your countertop!
- Since lemongrass is often sold already cut if you buy it at a grocery store, the number of stalks you'll need will vary.
- Bring of water to a boil over high heat. Pour your water into a medium-sized saucepan or another similar pot so the water doesn't boil over once it heats up. Then, place it on the stove on high heat for a few minutes until it reaches a boil.[2]
- Be careful as the water heats up. The pot will become very hot!
- Add the lemongrass and continue boiling the water for 5 minutes. Once the water reaches a rapid, rolling boil, it's time to add the lemongrass. Carefully drop the chopped lemongrass directly into the boiling water. If you need to, give it a stir with a long-handled spoon to ensure the lemongrass is completely submerged, then let it steep in the boiling water for about 5 minutes.[3]
- A rapid boil means if you stir the water, it shouldn't stop bubbling.
- Hold the lemongrass close to the surface of the water when you drop it in. This will reduce the chances that it will splash back onto you.[4]
- Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the stalks. After the tea has finished steeping, it's best to strain it so you don't accidentally end up drinking any fibers from the lemongrass. Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer or colander into a pitcher or another container.[5]
- While lemongrass is perfectly edible, the fibers from the stalks might be an unpleasant addition to a soothing cup of tea.
- If you like, you can strain the tea directly into your teacup.
- Serve right away if you prefer warm tea. A warm cup of lemongrass tea is soothing and delicious in the morning or on a cool day. Once you've strained it, you can enjoy the tea as soon as it's cool enough to drink![6]
- Sweeten the tea in your cup with a little honey or sugar, if you like.
- Chill the mixture to make iced tea. If you prefer iced tea, place your pitcher of lemongrass tea into the refrigerator for an hour or so. This will create a refreshing, citrusy herbal tea that's perfect on a hot day or served with your meals.[7]
- To make sweetened iced tea, stir in 1/4 cup (50 g) of sugar before you place the tea in the refrigerator.
- For the best results, serve the chilled tea over ice.
EditAdding Other Flavors - Stir in a splash of milk if you like a creamy tea. If you like milk in your tea, you'll probably enjoy it in lemongrass tea as well. This traditional tea addition will cool off a cup of hot tea, and it adds a creamy mouthfeel to this herbal treat. The amount you use depends on how much you like, but it's best to start with about and work from there.[8]
- If you like, you can use heavy cream or half-and-half instead.
- Add 1 tsp (7 g) of honey for a sweeter tea. The rich sweetness of honey perfectly complements lemongrass. Measure out 1 tsp (7 g) of your favorite honey, then stir it in until it's completely dissolved.[9]
- If you still want your tea to be sweeter, add another tsp (7 g) of honey.
- Steep the tea with ginger for a little spice. If you want to use fresh ginger root in your tea, slice off a piece that's about long scrape off the peel. Then, drop it into the water while you're boiling the lemongrass.[10]
- A tea made from ginger and lemongrass will be spicy, tangy, and comforting, and it's especially soothing if you have a sore throat or a head cold.
- Squeeze in a little lime to enhance the tangy flavor. Lemongrass has a natural citrus flavor, but it's a little more mellow than using actual lemons or limes. If you want to amp up the citrus taste, squeeze a wedge of lime over your tea. Start with about of lime juice, then add more if you want.[11]
- The lime will provide more of a contrast to the lemongrass than a lemon, which might mask the subtle flavor of the lemongrass.
EditThings You'll Need - Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Saucepan/pot
- Teacup, mug, or glass
- Teapot (optional)
- Pitcher (optional)
- Refrigerator (optional)
- You can also add a stalk of lemongrass to a cup of hot tea while you're brewing it. When you're steeping the tea bag, tie a stalk of lemongrass in a knot and drop it in the hot water.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Cover Up a Cold Sore Posted: 04 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST Cold sores can be quite a nuisance! Besides being painful, they can be unsightly, making you feel self-conscious. Take heart, you're not the only one! Plenty of people suffer from these blemishes, which are the result of the Type 1 herpes simplex virus.[1] If you're worried about a cold sore, you can minimize the appearance of it while it's still in the early stages. Once it scabs over, you can use makeup to help hide it. It's also important to take steps to prevent cold sores when you can so you don't have to worry as much about them in the future. EditMinimizing the Appearance of the Cold Sore - Wait until the cold sore scabs over before you apply makeup. Open cold sores will continue to ooze as part of the healing phase, which can make makeup crack or peel. In addition, covering it with makeup may worsen the cold sore, lengthening your healing time.[2]
- It can take up to a week to get to the scabbing stage, though applying cold sore medicine may speed it along.[3]
- Apply ice to the cold sore to help the swelling go down. Wrap the ice in a paper towel and hold it onto the cold sore. Leave it on for 20 minutes at a time and then take it off for 20 minutes. You can use this method off and on as long as you want.[4]
- Don't use a washcloth or towel, as that will introduce more bacteria. However, holding ice against your face without something between it and your skin is a bad idea, as it could give you frostbite.
- Add a layer of an invisible cold sore treatment. You can find cold sore creams at most drug stores. Put a small dab of the cream on a cotton swab and gently rub it onto the sore. Let it dry before trying to apply makeup over it.[5]
- You don't need much of the cold sore cream. A tiny drop will do.
- Try a cold sore patch in addition to treatment. These patches are invisible, but they provide a protective seal over the cold sore, making it easier to apply makeup even in early stages. Depending on the brand, it may have medicine in it, or you may be able to apply cream underneath it so read the instructions.[6]
- You can find these at drug stores.
- Avoid scratching or touching the cold sore. Scratching it will only irritate it, making its appearance worse. Plus, touching it can introduce more germs, which can inflame it. Keep your hands off your cold sores.[7]
- You can also pass them to other parts of your body or other people, as cold sores are contagious.
EditApplying Makeup - Use a small, disposable makeup sponge. Because cold sores are contagious, you don't want to reuse an applicator later, as you can give them back to yourself. Sponges work better than cotton, as cotton swabs or balls can leave bits of themselves behind, highlighting your cold sore instead of hiding it.[8]
- In addition, sponges will create a smoother finish than cotton.
- Choose a thick, yellow- or green-based concealer to cover your cold sore. Pick one that comes as a paste rather than a liquid. Yellow or green concealers will help neutralize the redness of a cold sore, which is why they are the best option for the first layer, at least.[9]
- These concealers are sometimes labeled as correcter and concealer.
- Cover the concealer with a foundation. After working in a correcting concealer, you need to add a foundation that matches your skin tone. That way, the color-correcting concealer won't stand out against your skin. Add dots of it to your whole face in a light pattern, moving from the center of your face outward, then use more of it over the cold sore. Dab at the foundation with a sponge until it blends in with your skin.[10]
- Remember to toss the sponge when you're done.
- Finish your makeup with a fine setting powder. These powders help keep your makeup in place so they don't run later in the day. With a brush, you can thoroughly clean or don't mind tossing later, apply a light layer of powder all of your face.[11]
- It's important to apply the powder everywhere, as it makes your face look even in texture and color. If you just apply it over your cold sore, you could make it stand out more.
- Remove makeup gently with your facial cleanser. Taking off that thick layer of concealer can irritate your cold sore, so try to do it as gently as possible. Rub the cleaner onto your face, and let it sit for about 15 seconds. Then use a wet washcloth to gently wipe the makeup off.[12]
- You can use a bit of cleansing oil on the cold sore if the facial cleanser doesn't take it off.
- Make sure to use a clean washcloth each time you wash your face. If you prefer, you can use facial cleansing wipes so you can just toss them.
EditPreventing Outbreaks - Learn your triggers and avoid them. Different things can trigger cold sores for different people. Typically, things like colds, fevers, sunlight, windy conditions, and stress can cause outbreaks. While you can't avoid all of these, of course, avoid the ones you can to help prevent cold sores from popping up in the first place.[13]
- For instance, wear sunblock to avoid exposing your face to the sun and use protective lip balm with at least an SPF 15 to help block both the wind and sun.
- Work on cutting stress out of your life when you can. For example, if watching the news in the morning causes you to feel stressed throughout the day, skip it. Try taking yoga or adding meditation to your daily routine. Practice deep breathing when you start feeling stressed out.
- Get 8 hours of sleep each night when possible. Getting overworked and stressed can cause outbreaks of cold sores. By making sure you get enough sleep each night, you can help combat fatigue and stress and hopefully, stave off cold sores.[14]
- If you have trouble getting to bed on time, set an alarm an hour before you need to go to sleep. Turn off your electronics and start winding down for the night, preparing yourself mentally for bed.
- Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleeping. Block out any light; for instance, use blackout curtains to hide street light. Similarly, use earplugs or a noise machine to help with noises that keep you awake.
- Think about locking your pets out of your bedroom if they tend to wake you up at night.
- Skip sharing makeup and hygiene products with other people. If another person has a cold sore outbreak, avoid sharing products like makeup, razors, and towels. If you do, they can cause you to have an outbreak. Use your hygiene and makeup products only.[15]
- Lipstick and lip-gloss are some of the main culprits.
- Avoid sharing food and utensils with other people. Similarly to makeup and hygiene products, food and utensils can pass the virus that causes cold sores back and forth. Stick to your own cups and utensils when eating and drinking.[16]
- For the same reasons, don't kiss someone who has a cold sore outbreak.
- See your doctor if your sores are so painful you have trouble eating or if you have sores near your eyes, in or on your nose, or on your genitals. Similarly, if you have a fever above , green pus, pinkness or pain near or in your eyes, or sores that persist longer than 2 weeks, you should talk to your doctor.[17]
EditThings You'll Need EditMinimizing the Appearance of the Cold Sore - Ice
- Paper towel
- Cold sore cream
- Cold sore patch
EditApplying Makeup - Disposable makeup sponge
- Yellow or green concealer
- Foundation
- Setting powder
- Facial cleanser
EditPreventing Outbreaks
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Set up a Mouse Cage Posted: 04 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST Mice are fun little creatures that don't require a lot of equipment. You'll need a large cage so your mice have space to run around and interact. Put the cage somewhere where the mice will feel safe and comfortable. Then fill it with cozy bedding, toys, food, and water. You'll enjoy watching the mice make their own nests within the cage and play with one another. EditSelecting a Cage - Choose from cages designed specifically for mice. Since mice are smaller than most pet rodents, you'll need to pick a simple cage that's designed for their tiny size. It should also have good ventilation so the mice won't overheat. For these reasons, don't buy hamster cages or glass aquariums designed for other animals.[1]
- Look for cages at pet stores, online, or at second-hand shops.
- Get a cage that's large enough to house all of your mice. Plan for of cage space for the first mouse and add for each additional mouse in the cage. This will give all of the mice plenty of space to run and interact with each other.[2]
- For example, if you have 4 mice, you'll need a cage that's at least in size.
- If you have male and female mice that you don't intend to breed, put them in separate cages.
- Pick a cage made of plastic or metal. You'll need a cage made of a material that's easy to clean and won't absorb urine. Cages made from plastic are inexpensive and lightweight although they are more likely to break than metal cages. Metal cages are usually stronger and provide good air circulation.[3]
- Avoid buying a cage made of wood, since urine will soak into it before you can clean it.
- Check that the bars are no more than apart. Since mice can escape if the bars are too wide, look for a cage that has narrow spacing. Instead of just glancing at the bar width, take the time to measure the distance between bars.[4]
EditPositioning the Cage - Pick a room that's safe and secure. Although you might not think your mice will escape, you should be prepared for a surprise escape. The room must be safe enough so that if the mice got out, they wouldn't be attacked by other house pets, such as cats, dogs, rats, or ferrets.[5]
- Find a spot with indirect natural light so your mice can get some vitamin D. Put the cage in a room in your house that gets natural light throughout the day. Since mice can overheat, keep the cage out of direct sunlight or bright light.[6]
- For example, instead of setting the cage in front of a window that gets direct sunlight, place it against the wall that's perpendicular to the window.
- Choose a space away from loud noises to prevent startling the mice. Mice have very sensitive hearing so the room where you put the cage should be free from high-pitched sounds or sudden bursts of noise. The room shouldn't contain loud sound systems, alarms, or telephones.[7]
- For example, don't put the cage against a wall that's shared with a loud washing machine or dryer. These can vibrate the cage and make noises that irritate the mice.
- Keep the room between and . It's important to keep the temperature around the cage at a constant temperature that's comfortable for the mice. You should also keep the cage in a room that doesn't have humidity fluctuations.[8]
- For example, rooms like an air-conditioned office or a small bathroom aren't good for the cage since these rooms can become too dry or too humid for the mice.
EditFilling the Cage - Spread at least of bedding across the bottom of the cage. Purchase hay, shredded paper, or aspen shavings to spread in the cage. This will insulate the cage and the mice can use the bedding to create nests for sheltering.[9]
- Use a variety of materials so the mice can choose what they want to build their nests with.
- Avoid using bedding that can sicken or injure the mice. Sawdust, cedar shavings, and pine shavings can cause respiratory problems so leave these out of the cage. You should also avoid putting cotton wool or fluffy bedding into the cage. The mice can shred these and choke on them or become tangled.[10]
- If you choose to use aspen shavings, ensure that the shavings are made from toxic-free wood.
- Put a water container in the cage for the mice to drink from. Attach a water bottle that has a drinking tube to the side of the cage. This will keep the water fresh because the tube will only dispense water when the mice want to drink. Check the water every day to ensure the mice always have access to fresh water.[11]
- While you can set a water bowl in the cage, some mice like to throw bedding into it, so you may need to change the water frequently.
- Place a food bowl in the cage. Pour mouse food into a clean bowl and place it in the cage. Try to raise the bowl up off of the bedding so bedding material doesn't get into the food bowl.[12]
- You may see the mice remove some of the food from the bowl and hide it in the bedding. This is normal behavior.
- Add a house or hidey hole so the mice feel safe. Your mice will like somewhere to hide and feel secure even if they make their own nests in the cage. Set a small plastic domed house or hut in the cage so your mice can retreat and feel safe.[13]
- Include lots of toys for your mice to play with. To prevent your mice from becoming bored or sedentary, put toys for your mice to chew on and a rodent wheel in the cage. Choose a large plastic rodent wheel since their feet can become stuck in metal wire wheels. As for chewing toys, consider using:[14]
- Paper towel or toilet paper tubes
- Hemp rope toys
- Plain wooden craft sticks
- Wood from a fruit tree, such as apple or cherry
- If you only have a single mouse in a cage, purchase another mouse or two to keep it company. Mice can get lonely if they don't have company.
EditThings You'll Need - Cage
- Bedding such as shredded paper or hay
- Food dishes
- Water feeder
- Toys
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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