Fresh Herbal Tea (12 Herbs to Try)

Fresh herbal tea can have an amazing impact on your health and well-being. Your garden (or supermarket) supplies a wonderful myriad of fresh herbs which can be brewed into an uplifting hot or cold tea.

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Jump to:

• ❓What are herbal teas?
• 🌿List of Herb for Tea
• 🔪Step by Step Guide
• 💭Tips
• ⚙️Equipment
• 🥘Related Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Community

Invigorate yourself by bringing fresh tea into your life. There’s a beautiful connection between humans and plants within the process when picking herbs from the garden and making aromatic herbal tea with it. 

Not only are you consuming something straight from the source, but when you're in and amongst plants, you can’t help but admire nature and feel happy.

Of course, if you don’t have access to a garden, your local supermarket will sell fresh herbs.

Across the Middle East (I am of Lebanese heritage) drinking herbal tea is part of daily life, it usually accompanies a sweet treat such as Sfouf (turmeric semolina cake) or Namoura (another type of sweet semolina cake). 

A couple of my favourite combinations are black tea with fresh mint or cardamom, or yansoon which is Arabic for anise (aniseed) or even black tea with sage.

Fresh tea is a big part of my life, and I am inspired even more so to keep drinking it since adopting the 369 Cleanse. So I wanted to share simple herb tea recipes with you, for some inspo. I've been in the habit of enjoying yoga followed by a nice hot cup of herbal tea.

❓What are herbal teas?

Herbal tea also goes by the name of ‘tisane’ and can be made from the flower, seeds, leaves, stems and or roots of a wide ranging selection of plants.

Tisanes (herbal teas) can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes such as relaxation, to aid with stomach/digestion issues, and strengthen the immune system.

There is not one best herb for tea, as each is used for different reasons and has different flavouring. However you may find a favourite within this list of herbs for tea I personally love to use.

🌿List of Herb for Tea

Lemon Balm

Has a mild flavour. Some of the lemon balm tea benefits are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, a high level of antioxidants, sedative and digestive properties. Helps with vertigo. I like to place my lemon balm tea/water in the sun to absorb vitamin D. Use a couple of sprigs per serving.

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Mint

One of the most popular; Green mint tea boasts a strong sweet and cool flavour which is refreshing, great for an iced tea or flavoured water as the flavouring infuses quickly. I like to drink it as hot and cold tea. Mint is packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Great for an upset stomach. Use as many leaves as your tastebuds desire.

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Tarragon

Tastes like liquorice - yum! It contains flavonoids and is rich in vitamins and minerals, along with poly-phenolic compounds. Great for blood sugar levels. One sprig per cup of tarragon tea. I find this doesn't require any sweetening.

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Thyme

Similar in taste to oregano. This small leafed herb contains substantial antiviral properties. Perfect for when you're feeling under the weather. Half a small handful is all you need per cup to make a soothing thyme tea.

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Lemon Verbena

A mildly fragrant, lemon flavoured herb containing anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antiseptic properties. Use a couple of small sprigs per serving of lemon verbena tea.

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Basil

Here’s one that you probably didn’t think of as a herb for tea. Basil has a strong fragrant flavour and scent, it’s a herbal antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. 3-4 leaves per cup for fresh basil tea.

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Olive Leaf

A mild taste, olive leaf tea is excellent for the lymphatic system. I like to crush the leaves up with my hands before steeping in boiling water. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes. One sprig with several leaves per tea cup.

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Lemon Grass

Refreshing and lemon flavoured. This herb which reminds me of Bali (it’s served everywhere there as an iced tea) This tea fights free radicals, is high in antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. One section of a stick per cup. If making a pot of lemongrass tea - use an entire stick which can be smashed at the base of the lemon grass stick and then broken into pieces, tying the leaves around it to hold it together.

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Chocolate Mint

Has strong aromatic flavour, which is similar to chocolate & spearmint. Though some people can not detect the chocolate part. This herb contains various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Only requires a small sprig per cup.

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Sage

A strong flavour, unlike no other. Sage has a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for an upset or gassy stomach. A couple of leaves per cup.

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Rosemary

Another strong flavoured herb. Rosemary has been used for thousands of years, Rosemary tea boasts antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant. Use as per your taste buds.

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Oregano

Strong flavour, similar to thyme. Oregano has been used medicinally & culinary since our ancient ancestors. It’s has an excellent spectrum of vitamins & minerals, and has anti-fungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Great support for the lymphatic system. Oregano is one of Lebanon’s top herbs, and features in our famous Zaatar spice blend or fresh oregano salad. Only a sprig or two to make a soothing cuppa. 

🔪Step by Step Guide

In three easy steps you’ll learn how to make tea with herbs;

Step 1 - Pick and wash fresh herbs, place into mug or pot

Step 2 - Pour boiling water and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes

Step 3 - Add desired sweetener, mix and enjoy.

💭Tips

• Fresh herbs - only use herbs that are not browning and wilted. These will yield the best results and flavouring.
• Some herbs are better when crushed with your hands such as lemon balm, tarragon, olive leaf, sage and rosemary. Crushing helps to release the oils within.
• If desired, use natural sweeteners such as maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave syrup or honey.
• Some herbs pair well with lemon, fresh ginger or turmeric - add a slices as needed.
• Mix herbs to create your preferred homemade blend of herbal tea
• For stronger fresh teas, steep for longer, from hours to overnight. I like to always have a bottle of cold herbal water/tea in the fridge so I can sip on all day.
• Boiled leaves do not stay green, they will turn brown.
• Drying fresh herbs - To save and enjoy herbal tea throughout the year; after washing the desired herbs, allow them to thoroughly air dry by placing them in a sunny spot. Once dry (this will vary between herbs) cut up and store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for later use, up to a year.

⚙️Equipment

• Tea pot* - this is the featured tea pot in the top pic
• Kettle* - this is the kettle I use at home
• Spoon
• Tea cup* - to match the tea pot

🥘Related Recipes

Which is your favourite from the above list of herbs for tea? Alternatively if you have your own herb tea recipe I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a rating. This will help me sustain Plant Based Folk. 

Alternatively did you happen to take a photo? Tag me @plantbasedfolk on Instagram to be featured via stories.

Janelle x

📖 Recipe