Let’s learn how to make herbal tea! Not only is it simple and easy, but it is so rewarding and fun too. Once you have created your own tea blend, store bought tea bags might very well become a thing of the past. You will have the skill and know-how to do it all yourself.
Herbal Tea Ingredients
First of all, what makes up an herbal tea? Does it have to be a certain type of herb? The answer is NO! You can make an herbal tea out of any kind or combination of herbs. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can decide what herbs to include in your tea. Some common herbs to start with might include peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers or lemon balm leaf. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also have a multitude of health benefits.
Two Methods of Herbal Tea Making
There are two different methods of tea making. These depend on the types of herbs you are using. Many herbs such as leaves, berries and flowers are delicate and only require being steeped in hot water to extract their herbal properties. The infusion method is used for these herbs. Other herbs, like roots and bark, are tough and have a different method of extraction. These herbs are made into a decoction.
Herbal Tea Infusion
An infusion is the technical term for steeping herbs like flowers, leaves, and berries in hot water to make tea. This can be done with or without a tea bag. When growing your own herbs or using loose leaf tea, it is often easier to forgo the tea bag rather than make your own. When using loose leaf herbs, all you have to do is add hot water and let them steep for a few minutes before straining them out. See an infusion recipe below.
How Hot Should the Water Be?
When heating water for an infusion, bring it to a boil and then turn off the heat. Pour the boiling water over your herbs or add the herbs to the kettle of boiled water. It is important that you do not continue to boil the herbs as that could kill some of the nutrients that you want in your tea.
Herbal Tea Decoction
A decoction is a slightly different way of preparing tea. This method is used when making tea with tougher plant material such as roots and bark. To make a decoction, bring your plant material to a boil in a pot of water on the stove. When the water begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and allow the tea to simmer for 20 minutes. It is important to cover your pot while it boils and simmers to keep the nutrients from evaporating. After it is done simmering, carefully strain into a mug or heatproof jar. See a decoction recipe below.
Mix Them Together
Once you have learned how to prepare infusions and decoctions, your options are limitless when it comes to making tea. The fun thing is that you can combine infusions and decoctions to make a custom tea blend with all types of herbs. I did this recently when making an herbal tea that required both leafy and rooty herbs. You can also add more delicate herbs to a decoction and let them steep in it after taking it off the heat.
Little Kids Can Make Tea
Our little kids love to make a simple infusion with mint leaves to make mint tea. They love picking fresh mint from the herb garden and making mint tea for the family! Making an infusion is so simple!
One of Many Ways to Take Herbs
Herbal teas are just one of many ways to get herbs into your body. It is often the most enjoyable way to consume herbs, especially when adding honey to make it more flavorful. Tinctures, powders, and capsules are other good options for taking herbs.
Fresh or Dried Herbs?
Herbal tea can be made with fresh and dried herbs. The only thing to consider is the amount of herb that you include in your tea. Fresh herbs have a high water content and can be used more liberally than dried herbs. Since the water content has been removed from dried herbs, they are more concentrated and should be used in smaller quantities.
Straining Your Herbal Tea
Once your tea is ready, it is time to strain out the herbs. I like to place a small mesh strainer above my mug or jar and carefully pour the tea and herbs through it. The tea will go into the mug while the herbs stay in the strainer. A French press is an ideal option for making herbal tea as well. When using a French press, allow the tea to steep before pushing your herbs to the bottom of the press in order to serve your tea.
Can I Use a Drip Coffee Maker?
In our beginner years of tea making, we loved to brew loose leaf tea in our drip coffee maker. It was quick and convenient, and the results were delicious. As we began to grow our own herbs, however, and focus on the specific health benefits of the herbs, we decided to make tea differently. By allowing the herbs to steep in the hot water, we were receiving more of the herbal properties and nutrients than if we quickly ran the tea through the coffee maker. We still enjoy using the coffee maker on occasion, but overall, we prefer the more thorough approach to herbal tea making.
Easy Elderberry Echinacea Immune Boosting Herbal Tea Infusion Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 grams Elderberries (dried)
- 4 grams Echinacea Flower (dried)
- 2 grams Yarrow Leaf and Flower (dried)
- 2 grams Tulsi (dried)
- 4 grams Peppermint (dried)
- 2 quarts filtered water
- Raw Honey (optional)
Directions
- Bring 2 quarts of filtered water to a boil.
- In a large jar, combine dried herbs.
- Pour the boiling water over the herbs, and cover with a lid.
- Allow tea to steep for 10 minutes before straining out the herbs.
- Sweeten hot tea with honey if desired. Enjoy!
- For optimal results, this tea is best enjoyed hot. Refrigerate leftover tea, and consume within 1-2 days.
Easy Burdock Root Herbal Tea Decoction Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 grams dried Burdock Root
- 1 quart filtered water
- Raw Honey (optional)
Directions
- Combine water and burdock root in a pot.
- Cover pot and bring water to a boil on the stove.
- When water begins to boil, turn heat down to low.
- Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Uncover pot and carefully strain out herbal material.
- Sweeten if desired and enjoy.
Note
Refrigerate leftover tea and consume within 1-2 days.
Your Options Are Limitless
These tea recipes are just a sample of thousands of potential options, flavors, and combinations. When learning how to make your own herbal tea, start simple with just one herb like we do with our mint tea. As you practice, try different herb combinations for fun flavors and nutritional benefits. As you familiarize yourself with herbs and their properties, you can make custom tea blends to address ailments like illness, stress, digestive issues, nausea, and other needs for you and your family. Not only will you provide a warm drink, but you can address a problem at the same time!
What’s Your Favorite Tea?
I’d love to hear your experiences with herbal tea making. What herb combinations have you tried? What is your favorite kind of tea? Let me know in the comments!
Happy tea making!
~Hannah
