Tea is an awesome way to introduce the power of herbs to your daily routine. Check out these 10 best herb for tea and wellness. Delicious and healthy!
Guest post by certified herbalist Angela of Mama Rosemary.
Inside a simple cup of tea is the power to transform! Indeed, here we can find the power to comfort, nourish and even heal. If we stop and notice, we’re introduced to a little world of tasty, soothing magic.
Many herbs give themselves easily to water, imparting their healing virtues, vitamins, minerals, and even oils. Once extracted in water all that goodness is made readily available and is easily absorbed into the body.
If you’re curious about how to introduce the power of herbs into your life, tea is an excellent way to get started.
What’s the Difference Between Tea & Infusions?
When making an infusion, the plant material is steeped for a much longer period of time than a regular cup of tea. This allows for all the medicinal constituents including vitamins and minerals to be liberated from the herb.
Safe herbs to use for making infusions are ones that are gentle and nutritive for the body – they are like a super food. Teas are are gentler version of that.
Drinking tea and infusions over time provides a strong base and especially with infusions, deep nutrition for the body. You can drink 2 to 4 cups every day or even just a couple of days a week as a way to support yourself.
How to Make Herbal Teas & Infusions
Teas are made by steeping plant material in boiled water for 5 to 15 minutes.
Infusions are made by steeping plant material in boiled water for 4 to 8 hours. I like to make mine before going to bed at night so it will be all ready for sipping on during the day. The therapeutic effects will be stronger than a regular cup of tea.
Pro Brewing Tips:
- Always be sure to use a container that can handle very hot liquids for brewing.
- Make sure to put a lid or cap on your teas and infusions while they brew to prevent any volatile oils from escaping. (This is especially important for aromatic plants like chamomile and mint.)
- Add tasty extras like honey and juice to your brew to make it yummy!
Helpful Tools:
Top 10 Best Herbs for Tea to Use for Wellness:
1. CHAMOMILE (matricaria chamomilla)
- “Chamomile has been used as an herbal medication since ancient times, is still popular today and probably will continue to be used in the future because it contains various bioactive phytochemicals that could provide therapeutic effects.” (source)
- These include cardiovascular health, anti-anxiety, stimulating the immune system, and even providing protection against cancer. (source)
- Drink chamomile to soothe your nervous system with it’s rich, relaxing mineral and vitamin content that includes readily available calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B-2.
- NOTE: People who are sensitive to ragweed maybe be allergic to chamomile.
- Brew chamomile as tea, only steep for 3 to 8 minutes as it will become very bitter. Don’t worry, this one is still very effective with the short brewing time. Chamomile combines well with lemon balm, rose petals, mints and oatstraw. (Not ideal as an infusion.)
Read more about chamomile here, and read about using it for menstruation here. Also – where to find it.
2. LEMON BALM (melissa officinalis)
- Lemon balm is a wonderfully tasty herb that calms restlessness and anxiety in adults and children alike, and promotes better cognitive function. This study showed impressive results in these areas.
- Studies have also shown that it has antiviral properties. (source)
- It combines well with chamomile, mint and oatstraw.
- Brew as either an infusion or a tea.
Read more about lemon balm here. And click here for where to find it.
3. PEPPERMINT & SPEARMINT (mentha piperita & mentha spicata)
- Mints make extremely tasty teas that help to soothe stomach upset and combat illness. (source)
- They are high in vitamins, minerals and fragrant healing oils.
- Peppermint is generally considered to be stronger than spearmint which is a favorite among children.
- Mints combines well with most other herbs being used to add flavor to brews – it’s one of the best of the best herbs for tea!
- Brew as either an infusion or a tea.
Read more about peppermint and spearmint here. Find where to buy it: peppermint, and spearmint.
4. ROSE PETALS & ROSEHIPS (rosa centifolia & rosa canina)
- Rose petals in tea? Yup it is possible and tasty!
- Rose essential oil helps with PMS symptoms (source), so choosing to drink it as a tea is a logical choice. (Like with most natural remedies – clinical research is scarce due to most of the research dollars going to pharmaceuticals.)
- Rose petals have been shown to have antimicrobial properties against multiple pathogens, including staphylococcus and candida. (source)
- Rose hips, which are the fruit of the rose plant, are chock full of vitamin C and have a delicious tangy flavor.
- Rose petals and hips combine well with oatstraw, elderberries and lemon balm.
- Brew as either an infusion or a tea.
Read more about roses and rose hips here. Go here to find rose petals, and here to find rose hips.
5. ELDERBERRY (sambucus nigra)
- Elderberries are wonderful for treating and preventing the flu. In fact they are specific against the flu virus. This placebo-controlled scientific study showed significant reduction in illness when taking elderberry.
- The berries make a superbly delicious tea.
- The seeds from elder can cause digestive upset, so strain them out before serving.
- Elderberry combines well with lemon balm, rose petals and hips, mint and oatstraw.
- Brew as a tea or infusion.
Read more about elderberries and elder flowers here. Find elderberries to buy here.
6. SAGE (salvia spp.)
- You may know it best as an herb to go along with turkey but sage is amazing and one of our best herbs for tea!
- Rich in antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid. This study found that it is an effective anti-inflammatory.
- It’s helpful for oral health: sage tea helps to clear excess mucus, heal mouth wounds, and fight infection with antibacterial properties.(source)
- This study showed that it can be helpful as an anti-inflammatory for skin issues also.
- It combines well with rosemary and thyme.
- Brew as a tea.
Read more about sage here, and where to buy it.
7. STINGING NETTLE (urtica dioica)
- Nettle is a favorite plant among herbalists.
- It is highly nutritive acting as a body-wide tonic with an affinity for the kidneys and adrenals.
- According to this scientific journal article: “The nettle leaves contain terpenoids, carotenoids, including β-carotene, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and lycopene, fatty acids, especially palmitic, cis-9,12-linoleic and α-linolenic acids, different polyphenolic compounds, essential amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins, tannins, carbohydrates, sterols, polysaccharides, isolectins, and minerals, the most important of which is iron.” (Note: most herbs boast impressive features such as this. This was an especially great example. Aren’t plants awesome?!)
- Nettle leaf contains very high amounts of vitamins, minerals and nourishing green chlorophyll that extract well when made as an infusion. It feeds the endocrine glands, builds the blood, provides essential nutrients for a stressed out nervous system and nourishes the liver.
- Plus it’s yummy! Nettle has a deep, rich soupy flavor. I like to combine it with our next plant, oatstraw.
- Preferably brewed as an infusion.
Read more about nettle here, and get some here.
8. OATSTRAW (avena sativa)
- Oatstraw is one of my favorite herbs for tea. Gently yet extremely powerful, used over time as an infusion oatstraw will help to soothe and heal an overwhelmed, overtaxed nervous system.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that it has a positive effect on cognitive function. (source)
- “Traditionally oats have been in use since long and are considered as stimulant, antispasmodic, antitumor, diuretic, and neurotonic. Oat possesses different pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, anticholesterolaemic, etc.” (source)
- It combines well with most herbs especially chamomile and lemon balm.
- Preferably brewed as an infusion.
Read more about oatstraw here, and buy it here.
NOTE: Those with celiac or severe gluten intolerance may want to take caution with oatstraw as there is the possibility of gluten contamination, similar to regular oats.
9. RED RASPBERRY LEAF (rubus spp, idaeus, strigosus, parviflous)
- The leaves of this plant make a delicious astringent infusion.
- Especially valued as an herb for women, raspberry leaf is an energetic tonic for the reproductive organs.
- Raspberry is high in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and vitamins C, B and E. It’s high in antioxidants, which has numerous positive health effects. (source)
- Raspberry combines well with nettles, oatstraw and mints.
- Preferably brewed as an infusion.
Read more about red raspberry leaves here, and find it to buy here.
10. ALFALFA (medicago sativa)
- Known as “The Father Of All Foods,” alfalfa is a highly nutritive herb bringing health the body by feeding it well. (source)
- This amazing plant has a tap root that reaches a full 100 feet down deep into the rich depths of mother earth bringing up mineral rich goodness right into its leaves and stems!
- Make infusions of alfalfa to get all that goodness into your cup.
- Alfalfa has a very green flavor so it is nice to use aromatic plants such as mint as a flavorful accompaniment.
Read more about alfalfa here, and find it to purchase here.
How much herbal tea or herbal infusion should I drink per day?
The medical world doesn’t have a clear answer on this – mostly because research on natural products – such as best herbs for tea – is scarce, but most sources agree that somewhere in the vicinity of 3-5 cups per day is fine.
Most herbal teas have little to no negative side effects, but it’s always wise to consult with your trusted health practitioner if you’re using the herb to target a specific health complaint.
Related: How to Debloat Your Stomach Quickly (Easy Tea Remedy) and 5 Incredible Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
Can I use a pre-made blend of herbal tea?
Absolutely! That’s one of my favorite ways to get the immense benefits of the best herbs for tea without having to do a lot of research or bulk sourcing.
This brand is my go-to with blends for common ailments like PMS, sore throats, constipation, digestive distress, and more.
Don’t forget the kids!
Many kids love herbal teas and infusions, given the chance to try them. They especially like to taste teas and make their own blends.
- Check out the fun of tasting and making tea blends with wee ones here
- Check out this article here at Red & Honey on fun ideas to introduce kids to the awesome world of herbs.
Teas and infusions are a great way to get to know herbs and also to enjoy many of their wonderful properties. I hope you found some inspiration here for adding an herbal brew or two to your life, and that your next cup of tea will bring you a little bit of herbal joy!
Guest post originally by certified herbalist Angela of Mama Rosemary and edited/updated by Beth @ Red & Honey in January 2020.
Have you explored the wonderful world of the best herbs for tea? What have you used so far?
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional, and this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please do your own research. Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice.
Harland Gjerde
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Candis Dilella
thanks exchange for sharing
Greg
Thank you for new ideas on teas. Currently I love peppermint and lemon/ginger. Looking forward to trying these.
Ruth Janzen
Great post!! I’m an avid coffee drinker, but I’m starting to trade out a cup or two a day in favour of tea—and in favour of better health 😉 It’s great to learn of the benefits of tea made from many herbs—and even weeds!—that are growing in my own garden.
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Great post ~ As an herbalist, I make tea blends and enjoy herbal tea and infusions every day!
Super list of ideas. Well done. Happy to share.
I love to write about herbal teas. They may seem like a simple medicine.. and they are..
but.. also very powerful. Drink 3-4 cups per day to ensure good results!