How To Make Herbal Tea

We all know that herbs are great medicines. And a wonderful way to unlock the medicinal qualities of herbs is through teas.

When making an herbal tea, many people want to know how much herb to add to the water. The traditional way that you'll find in most herbal recipes is to use one teaspoon of dried herbs or two tablespoons fresh herb to one cup of water. But Rosemary Gladstar in her book Herbal Healing for Women feels that you should use your 'sense of taste and your knowledge of the herbs as a guide about how much to use.'

Common herbs used in teas include:

• Chamomile: Chamomile is very popular for teas (even commercial teas) because it is highly versatile. This herb is extremely easy to grow and the white flowers are used for teas. Chamomile is used to treat menstrual cramps, all digestive issues (cramps, nausea, diarrhea), fever, congestions, headaches, insomnia, and general stress.
• Anise: Anise has a similar taste to licorice, and is an easy herb to grow. As a tea, it can be used for digestive issues and coughs/congestion.
• Lemongrass: Lemongrass is another versatile herb when used for teas. It is also easy to grow in your own garden. Lemongrass has become popular in the news since it may help decrease cholesterol levels. It can also help with coughing, bladder problems, digestive issues, headaches, fever and it also promotes perspiration.
• Mint: Mint is an extremely easy to grow and extremely hardy plant (it may actually take over your garden if you're not careful with it). Mint is a great herb to make into a tea for digestive problems. Many herbalists recommend drinking a cup of mint tea every evening. It also tastes great and is very gentle to the body. This is also a great herb to add to some herbal teas to make the flavor more favorable.

Feel free to grow your own fresh herbs or use quality dried herbs. A great place to get quality dried herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs (see link).

Fore more information about how to use herbs in teas, precautions for herbs or for recipes, check out Gardens Ablaze (see link), Mountain Rose Herbs or read Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health & Vitality by Kathleen Brown and Jeanine Pollak and 20,000 Secrets of Tea: The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature's Healing Herbs by Victoria Zak.

As you continue to learn more and more about herbs, you will discover how versatile herbs are and how easy it is to make an herbal tea. There are many ways to brew herbs into teas. If you are using your tea for medicinal qualities, remember to always cover it while it seeps.

1. Pour boiling water over herbs placed in a non-metal container with lid and allowed to seep for a set amount of time. The amount of time is dependent on the herbs you are using; some herbs will become bitter if allowed to seep for too long, while others require a longer time to get the medicinal qualities out of them. Taste your tea to determine the length of the time to seep your tea. Strain the herbs before drinking the tea. If the tea is harsh, or you don't like the taste, feel free to add a squeeze of lemon, lime, a sprig of mint or a touch of honey to the tea.
2. Another way to make an herbal tea is by placing the herb in a pan of cold water and slowly bring the water to boiling. As soon as the water boils, take it off the heat, strain and drink.
3. If you want to make a stronger tea, take tea off the heat after the herbs have had a chance to infuse into the water and let sit overnight. Strain and drink.
4. Herbal teas can ferment after a few days, even if they're stored in a refrigerator. If your tea has bubbles in it or an odd taste, throw it away.