Learn how to make an herbal tea infusion with homegrown herbs with this simple guide to making herbal tea.
I started gardening with herbs when my girls were little. I loved how easy they were to grow and how many ways you could use them. They were great for cooking, but also for making beauty products and decorating your home.
For example, if you are growing any mint in your garden, you are probably looking for ways to use it. Mint is a rapid grower and can take over a garden pretty quickly. So, making a fresh mint tea in the summer is a given.
More Herbal Recipes
What is an Herbal Infusion?
One of the first things I had fun with was making herbal tea, also known as an herbal infusion. An herbal infusion is a method of extracting flavor and nutrients from plant material.
Further, an herbal infusion is a by-product of the liquid left after you have steeped herbs in hot water or oil. Herbal tea is a water-based herbal infusion. You can make them with a single herb or a blend of several herbs and other spices such as cinnamon and ginger.
Herbal teas are great tasting, good for your health, and couldn’t be easier to make. They can help with digestion, sleep, and provide many nutritious ingredients for a healthy lifestyle.
How to Make Herbal Tea
- 1 cup fresh herbs, flowers, or leaves (well washed and dried) or ½ cup dried herbs (adjust as you like)
- Place them in a quart jar.
- Boil water in a pot or tea kettle on the stove. Then pour it over the plant material in the jar. Cover with a lid.
- Let steep for about an hour (adjust the steep time as you like - the longer the stronger - even overnight )
- Pour the liquid through a strainer into a cup of ice or a pitcher and drink right away. Or place in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage for up to 3 days.
Safety note: Sanitize your jars first by running them through the dishwasher.
Suggested Herbs for Tea
- Mints - apple, peppermint, pineapple, orange, chocolate
- Citrus - lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon basil, lemongrass
- Licorice - anise hyssop
- Floral - lavender, rose petals, peony petals
- Other Good Choices - rosemary, thyme, and sage
Making herbal tea, whether hot or iced, can be a great way to use all your herbal bounty during the summer. Of course, you can dry your herbs and brew them during the cold winter months too, when a hot cup of tea really hits the spot.
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Tara Brelinsky
This is great and I've often gone this route when I am making red raspberry or clover infusion. I used to make it in a big pot first, but I have found the mason jar cut out a little work. Since my leaves are smaller, I'm wondering if you have any ideas on how to contain them so straining them is easier.
so glad to have found you on Find Your Voice Friday.
Vicki and Jennifer @2Bees in a Pod
Thanks for sharing how to make herbal tea. We are cultivating our end of Summer herbs and looking for different ways to use them. Definitely going to make this tea...
Kelly
Great idea Patti. I make sun tea all the time. Now I will add in the herbs you suggest. Pinning!