What could be more satisfying than a cup of home-brewed herbal tea? It is a perennial favorite that was first drunk in China over four millennia ago.
Over time, tea consumption moved to India and all parts of Europe. Many countries created their own unique tea culture.
Over 50 percent of Americans enjoy this venerable drink every day. Tea can be served hot, cold, or in other beverages. Iced tea is so popular in the southern United States, that it is known as the region’s house wine.
The Benefits of Herbal Tea
Many people simply enjoy the taste of a nice cup of tea, but did you know that there are various health benefits associated with herbal tea?
For starters, herbal tea may help fight colds by clearing nasal passages and stopping heavy coughs. This is also said to reduce asthma.
Herbal tea is also said to aid digestion. It can help break down fats and speed up the emptying of the stomach, which will reduce symptoms of bloating, indigestion, and vomiting. The best teas for this are peppermint, dandelion, chamomile, and ginger.
Along with fighting colds, herbal tea may boost the immune system in general. Herbal tea contains antioxidants that may lower the risk of chronic disease. The best teas for this are ginger, echinacea, elderberry, and liquorice root.
20 of the Best Herbal Tea Recipes to Try
If you are an herbal tea aficionado, here are 20 tasty recipes to try.
Tea Blends To Savor Every Day
Tea is a versatile drink. You can blend herbs, spices, and fruit juices with different types of tea. These blends, called tinsanes, combine interesting tastes with various health benefits:
1. Luscious Lemon Tea
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Lemon is a favorite addition to herbal tea. It has a refreshing zing that provides Vitamin C and other beneficial vitamins. Try a sip of this lemony tea when you wake up in the morning:
- ¼ cup lemon balm
- ¾ cup lemon grass
- 1 ½ teaspoons of natural sweetener of your choice
Mix the ingredients well in a glass container with a lid. For every cup of tea you want, add a teaspoon to your tea strainer. Pour in hot water and let the tea steep for up to ten minutes.
You can add additional sweetener or honey as desired.
2. Pop of Peppermint Tea
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As a renowned part of the mint family, peppermint has been used for generations to soothe heart burn and respiratory problems. Enjoy it as a hot beverage or a peppy iced version:
- 1 tsp of dried peppermint leaves or ¾ tsp fresh leaves
- 1 tsp sugar or stevia
- 1 cup of water
Put one serving of peppermint in your tea strainer for each cup of tea you want. Steep leaves in hot water from 5-10 minutes, according to your desired strength. You can drink it unsweetened or add sugar, stevia, or other natural sweeteners.
3. Soothing Lavender Tea
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Ancient cultures prized lavender for its intoxicating scent and ability to calm the digestive system, bring restful sleep, and relieve depression. When it is used a tea, its tiny flowers give the water a pleasant bluish-purple color:
- 2 tsp fresh or 2/3 tsp dried organic lavender
- ¼ cup fresh or dried mint of your choice
- 3 cups hot water
Combine mint and lavender in a tea pot and let it steep for at least 5 minutes. Using a tea strainer, pour tea into cups and add fresh lemon, honey, or other sweeteners.
This recipe makes 3- 8oz. cups of lavender tea that is especially good for bedtime.
4. Russian Star Tea
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Like the British and several Asian countries, Russia has its own flair for serving tea. They fill their samovars with deep black tea, hearty spices, and citrus juices.
They like to add a sweet punch with sugar, honey, or a teaspoon of fresh fruit preserves:
- 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp cloves, or three star anise
- Small cinnamon stick for each cup
- ½ cup loose or 4 teabags of your favorite black tea
- 4 cups of hot water
Bring water to a gentle boil and add ingredients (except cinnamon stick) to tea strainer. Let it steep for at least 10 minutes for a full-bodied effect.
Strain tea into 4 teacups and add cinnamon stick and lemon slice for garnish. Sweeten with honey as desired. When you enjoy it on a chilly winter’s day, you will feel like you are in a scene from Dr. Zhivago.
5. Rosey Relaxation Tea
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Not only are roses beautiful in a bouquet, buy they are also a rich source of vitamins. When you mix rose petals with the relaxing properties of chamomile, you get an excellent nerve tonic:
- 2 cups of organic rose petals (free of pesticides)
- 4 cups of chamomile blossoms
- 2 cups of lemon grass
Blend all ingredients thoroughly and put in a tightly sealed container. When you want to relax with a cup of this tea, just add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to a cup of water with a tea strainer.
After it has seeped for at least 5 minutes, it will have a subtle hint of pink. Enjoy a cup with a good book!
Celebrate The South With Herbal Iced Teas
You can enjoy all the benefits of a hot cup of tea in a cold version. The American South has been serving chilly glasses of sweet tea for generations. Instead of drinking so much soda, try a refreshing glass of iced herbal tea during the summer.
6. Sparkling Chai
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One of the things that people love about soda is its bubbling freshness. You can get the same fizzy results when you mix your favorite chai tea with seltzer.
- 1 cup of seltzer or mineral water
- 1 cup of your favorite chai tea
- A splash of your preferred sweetener
Make you chai tea according to instructions and add the seltzer. Mix well with your sweetener and enjoy over a glass of ice.
7. Cool Cranberry And Mint
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Get all of the nutritional benefits from cranberry and mint in this unusual fruity concoction. You can drink it iced or hot.
- 2 cups of 100% pure cranberry juice
- ¼ cup dried mint
Put the mint in a 2 quart-sized jar and fill it half way with boiling water. Let the mixture steep for about a half an hour and strain the liquid. Add the cranberry juice and sweeten the tea with stevia or honey.
Pour over 8 oz. glasses of ice to drink.
8. Fruity Hibiscus Green Tea
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Green tea is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. For a cool flavor blast, try blending it with hibiscus petals and a delicious fruit or berry:
- 6 tsp of your favorite green tea
- ½ tsp of hibiscus blooms
- 2 oz. dried fruit or berries, crushed
Mix the ingredients well and add stevia or sugar for sweetness. Pour in a quart of boiling water and let it steep for up to three minutes. Strain herbs and discard them.
When the tea has cooled, put it in 8 0z. glasses with ice. Feel free to add other fresh or dried herbs to this summer delight.
9. Flavored Lemon Aid Ice Tea
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Nothing tastes as great as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. When you mix it with fruit-flavored ice tea, you get the best of both worlds:
- 1 teabag of your favorite fruit tea
- 2/3 cup of prepared lemonade
- ¼ cup of simple syrup (made from sugar or honey)
Make the fruit tea as usual and let it cool. Poor the tea in a mason jar and add lemonade and simple syrup. Add ice, put the lid on the jar, and shake the tea until it is blended well. Garnish with lemons and enjoy poolside!
10. Sun Brewed Tea
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When it is hot outside, you probably want to use the stove as less as possible. Take advantage of the warm sun and let it brew a gallon of fresh tea. Your iced tea will have a fresh kiss from the sun.
Here is a great YouTube video that explains how to make sun brewed tea:
- 1 Gallon glass jug
- 2 black tea bags
- Sliced fruit or berries
- 1 Gallon spring water
Mix all ingredients in the glass jar, cover with a tight lid, and allow the tea to sit in the sun for up to five hours. Pour tea over glasses of ice and sweeten as desired.
11. Even Kids and Babies Will Go Wild For These Teas
Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed by children of all ages. If your children want to try hot tea, make sure that it has cooled to prevent scalding.
Never use honey to sweeten tea for children under a year old.
Healing Tea
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Introduce your children to some of your favorite herbs in a fantastic tea. This tea would be a special treat after school or before bedtime. They can enjoy it hot or iced.
- 1 tsp lavender
- 1 tsp of your favorite mint
- 1 tsp chamomile
Add one teaspoon of each of these herbs for every cup of tea you want to make. Put herbs in a teapot and fill it with boiling water. Let the tea steep for up to ten minutes. Serve with a fresh batch of mini-cookies.
12. Soothing Children’s Tea
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You can make this tea in bulk and serve it anytime your child is sick or needs some rest. Put the ingredients in an air-tight container:
- 2 cups catnip
- 1 cup chamomile
- 1 cup lemon balm or your favorite mint
Scoop one teaspoon of this mix for every cup of tea. Add hot water and let the tea steep until it is as strong as you want. Add natural sweeteners if you want.
13. Tea For Teething
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Babies often cry in agony when they are teething. Instead of using medications, try a tea made of herbs that naturally ease pain and gum inflammation:
- 4 tbs catnip
- 4 tbs skull cap
- 4 tbs red clover
- 4 tbs rose hips
Blend these herbs and store them in an air-tight container. Steep 1 teaspoon of tea in a cup for up to four hours. Let tea cool and freeze in ice cubes for a teething baby to chew.
You can also dip a clean washcloth in the tea and let the baby chew on it.
14. Nutritious Ice Tea
There are a lot of herbs that you can use to make your kids delicious tea with healthy nutrients. Try mixing a ½ cup of these herbs in any combination:
- Rose hips
- Oat straw
- Chamomile
- Catnip
- Skull cap
- Nettle
- Mints
- Lemon balm
Put tea mix in a jar and use a teaspoon of it for every cup of tea. Experiment with different herbal combinations for new tastes.
15. Fun Time Chai
Chai is a yummy tea concoction that is good to drink hot or cold. Kids will love the distinct flavors of this chai:
- 4 cups of your favorite black tea
- ¼ ground nutmeg
- ½ cup cloves
- 1 cup ginger
- ½ cup cinnamon
- 3-4 chopped up vanilla beans
You can save a lot of money making your own chai rather than buying it at the store. When you steep a teaspoon of this mixture in a teacup, add some cream and sweetener for a scrumptious treat!
Are You Having A Baby? Try Some Of These Herbal Teas
Many types of herbs can be used to soothe problems that moms can have. When they are blended into a warm cup of tea, they are even more beneficial. Always talk to your doctor about taking any herbs while pregnant or nursing.
16. Tea To Soothe Cramps
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If you suffer from painful cramps every month, then try some of this tea:
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup almond or rice milk
Heat all ingredients on the stove until they are hot. Add the sweetener of your choice and drink to ease menstrual pain.
17. Expectant Momma’s Tea
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This combination of herbs helps with hormonal imbalances and other issues during pregnancy:
- 2 cups nettle
- 2 cups red raspberry leaf
- 2 cups chamomile
- 2 cups lemon balm
- 2 cups oat straw
- 1 cup lavender
Store your tea in an airtight container and use 1-2 teaspoons of mixture for each cup of tea you drink. It is comforting for you and your little one.
18. Nettle Tea
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Nettle naturally prevents hemorrhaging problems after you give birth. This is a beneficial tea to drink while pregnant:
- 1 tsp nettle
- 1 tsp chamomile
Let it steep in a hot cup of water and drink it with sugar or stevia.
19. Tea For Headache
It is common to have headaches during pregnancy. If you want a safe answer to calm your aching head, then try this concoction:
- 1 tsp organic lemon peel
- 1 tsp lemon balm
- 1 tsp chamomile
- 1 tsp skull cap
Blend herbs well and put in a tea diffuser. Let tea steep for about five minutes and drink it at the onset of a headache.
20. Nutritious Tea Blend
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When you are pregnant, you have to nourish your body as well as your baby. This particular tea blends herbs full of vitamins and minerals:
- 1 cup of chopped oat straw
- 1 cup red raspberry leaves, chopped
- ½ cup dried peppermint leaves
Use a teaspoon of mix for a teacup of this relaxing tea. Enjoy a cup every morning and one in the evening for optimal nutritional benefit.
Drinking Herbal Tea has Many Nutritional Benefits For You
You can do some research in books, magazines, and on the Internet for the nutritional benefits of any herb. They can be combined in an infinite number of ways to make delicious hot or iced teas.
It is frugal to make teas from bulk herbs found in most herbal specialty stores. Try some of these tea recipes or invent some of your own tempting combinations. Herbal teas are even more delicious when you infuse them with fruits or non-dairy milks.
They are nutritious and do not have the questionable ingredients that are in soda. Your whole family will love studying about different tea cultures and trying out different recipes. Try some hot or iced tea blends today!