The Basics of Making Herbal Beverages

HERBAL TEA

For the purposes of this blog, the term "tea" will refer to hot or cold beverages created using the leaves and flowers of various herbs. These teas may or may not contain tea leaves (such as green tea leaves).

Let's keep it simple. Here is the most basic method for preparing herbal tea in a saucepan:

Dried Herbal Tea

1 teaspoon dried flowers/leaves (single herb or blend of herbs)

1 cup boiling water

Fresh Herbal Tea

1 tablespoon fresh flowers/leaves (single herb or blend of herbs)

1 cup boiling water

Always cover tea to keep in the herbal goodness.

Steep at least 10 minutes (or longer for stronger tea).

Strain and serve.

HERBAL DECOCTION

When preparing a herbal "tea" that contains seeds and roots, the decoction method is used. This method is slightly more aggressive in order extract the medicinal benefits of the seeds and roots - but it's still super simple!

The same proportions apply, but the method differs:

Dried Herbal Decoction

1 teaspoon dried seeds/roots (single herb or blend of herbs)

1 cup boiling water

Fresh Herbal Decoction

1 tablespoon fresh seeds/roots (single herb or blend of herbs)

1 cup boiling water

Always cover decoction to keep in the herbal goodness.

Bring to a boil and then simmer for at least 15 minutes.

Remove from heat, strain and serve.

OR

Add any flowers/leaves and steep for 10 more minutes.

Strain and serve.

HERB IDEAS

Here are just a few of my favorite herbs divided into their respective flower, leaf, seed or root categories. We'll talk about the medicinal benefits of them in my next post. For now, you can try them for flavor!

Flower:

linden

red clover

calendula

chamomile

Leaf:

dandelion

peppermint

lemon balm

rosemary

Seed:

dill

fennel

caraway

celery

Root:

dandelion

blackberry

licorice

marshmallow

Happy sampling!

Val