Look to your garden for all the ingredients you should probably make homemade herbal tea.
Try our tea-blends ideas for healthy digestion, stress soothing and energy.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate more homegrown edibles into your daily diet is to add herbs.
Photo: AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
Besides having amazing scents, herbs have medicinal properties that are sometimes amplified with the addition of hot water.
For centuries, herbalists have been perfecting concoctions of tea blends to cure common ailments.
The more direct sun they receive, the higher yield of foliage they produce.
AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
When harvesting the herbs, double-check to cut the stem rather than just pulling off the leaves.
Cut right above the node, where the next leaf starts.
Pruning the plant in this way will help maintain a fuller and more compact shape.
AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
If the herb is flowering, it’s best to harvest before the flowers are fully opened.
How to Dry Herbs for Tea
Herbs can be used fresh or dried to make tea.
Fresh herbs generally have a stronger scent, but are not as potent as dried herbs.
Julian Birchman
This usually takes anywhere from one to three weeks.
Herbs with valuable seeds (fennel, coriander, etc.)
can be placed in a brown paper bag.
AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
As they dry the seeds fall and collect at the bottom of the bag.
When the herbs are completely dry and crispy, they are ready to use.
Alternatively, herbs can be dried quickly in the oven.
Julian Birchman
Set the oven to the lowest temperature and leave the door open.
Place the herbs on a baking sheet and turn them frequently.
When the herbs start to turn crispy, remove them from the oven.
AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
Herbs should be steeped for at least 15 minutes and then strained out.
The tea can be refrigerated for up to two days without losing its medicinal properties.
Most teas are made using 1 teaspoon dried primary herb and 12 teaspoon dried secondary herb per cup.
Julian Birchman
Glass jars work best because they allow you to see the ingredients and keep them sealed tight.
Avoid using plastic because it can affect the taste of the tea.
To fill an 8-oz.
AJ Ragasa (Glasswing)
jar, you will need 1 cup total of dried herbs.
Mix 12 cup of a primary herb with 14 cup each of two secondary herbs.
This makes 24 servings (2 teaspoons per serving).
Tie a gift tag on the jar with steeping instructions: Steep 2 teaspoons tea in 8 oz.
boiling water for at least 15 minutes.
Then strain and enjoy.
Three Tea Blends to Try:
1.
(If using fresh herbs, triple the quantities.)
Steep for 15 minutes.
Peppermint tea can also help boost your memory.
(If using fresh herbs, triple the quantities.)
Steep for 15 minutes.
With extra vitamin C and a healthy dose of antioxidants, this tea blend can awaken your senses.
(If using fresh herbs, triple the quantities.)
Steep for 15 minutes.
Mint is a wonderful stomach soother that can help digestion.
Chamomile is good for soothing your stomach, reducing anxiety and improving your sleep.
