Herbal Tea Recipes and Herbal Teas

About Herbal Tea and Herbal Tea Recipes

Mint Herbal Tea Herbal tea recipes or tisanes, aren't actually made from the tea bush Camilla Sinensis, but they has been consumed for at least as long as the genuine article, that's over 5,000 years. Most herbal teas are based on traditional brews used in healing from ancient times.

The herbal teas, tisanes or infusions made from the leaves, blossoms and fruits of a variety of plants, are becoming increasingly popular. They are prepared in a similar way (infusing with hot water), and herbal tea recipes provide many of the same values. They're relaxing, enjoyable, tasty and have many health benefits.

Brewing Herbal Tea Recipes

Brewing herbal tea recipes is similar to brewing any tea. You simply have to allow the tea to infuse and give it time to release its flavor.

Allow one teaspoon of your preferred dried herbal mixture, or two if using fresh herbs, for each cup. Double the amount for a large mug.
Pour freshly boiled water over the herb
Cover and allow to infuse for four or five minutes. The active botanicals need this time to release all their valuable essential oils. Covering ensures maximum goodness remains in the tea.
If using a teapot, make sure it isn't too large for the amount of brew, as goodness can be lost to the unused space.
Strain while pouring and use a little honey or natural cane sugar to sweeten

Sip to appreciate the flavor and be sure to do so in your favorite spot, to fully enjoy your herbal tea recipe.

Popular Types of Herbal Tea

Lavender Fower Herbal Tea Recipe Lavender Flower ..., produces a tea that relaxes. It should be taken just before bedtime to induce peaceful, restful sleep. Make lavender tea from fresh or dried lavender flowers for relaxation, however, do not use directly before a night of passion, as its relaxant and sedative properties will decrease sex drive.

Dandelion Leaf Tea ..., can be an effective diuretic. helping your body excrete excess fluid.

Chamomile Herbal Tea Recipes Rosemary ..., makes an early morning pick me up. It can increase alertness at the beginning of the day or when you feel energy levels are dropping. It may ease headaches and help indegestion. It may even improve your memory and give your morale a boost.

Limeflower ..., makes a soothing brew, which is very popular with the French, who call it Tilleul. It is reputed to ease stress headaches, calm your busy mind, reduce nervous tension and aid restful sleep.

Dried lemon grass ... is another very common base used to make herbal tea recipes. Not surprisingly, it has a slightly lemony flavor and its spicy aftertaste brings a pleasant zing to the palate. Studies strongly suggest it has anti-bacterial properties, too, and it's known to aid digestion.

Elderflower ..., is a comforting herbal tea to drink if you are suffering from flu, catarrh or sinus pain. It is reputed to be anti-infammatory and encourages perspiration. It is also useful for chesty conditions and may help ease hay fever.

Fennel Seed ..., produces a tea that aids digestion. It can also relieve nausea and bloatedness caused by wind. If taken by nursing mothers it is said to increase milk flow and relieve colic or wind in the baby.

Chamomile Herbal Tea Recipes Chamomile ..., is one of the most popular of herbal tea recipes. A plant known to have medicinal qualities at least as far back as ancient Egypt, it makes a pleasant brew. It can help relieve anxiety and act as a mild soporific (sleeping brew). It is naturally caffeine free and has a delightful floral aroma and taste. Used Chamomile tea leaves can be place in a piece of muslin, left to cool and then applied to soothe itching, tired or inflamed eyes.

Sage ..., though often used as an herb in cooking, makes for a superb tisane. The calming effect of sage herbal tea recipes is well known, but it also has a very light taste. Slightly peppery, it goes well with a variety of dishes or stands well all on its own.

Lemon Balm ..., is a tea best made from fresh leaves. It eases tension without causing drowsiness. It can also aid digestion and soothe frayed nerves. It has been known to alleviate fever associated with influenza.

Raspberry Leaf Tea Peppermint leaves ..., make an excellent herbal tea to drink after a heavy meal. It aids digestion and relieves flatulence. It can also help in the treatment of colds and flu, especially when combined with Elderflowers.

Nettle Leaf Tea ..., makes an excellent tonic. It contains vitamins and minerals, including iron. It may also help relieve allergic reactions such as hayfever and nettel rash.

Raspberry Leaf Tea ..., makes a mildly astringent brew that can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to sooth throat infections. If drunk regularly during the last few weeks of pregnancy, it is said to help reduce the length or labor pains and make delivery easier. Avoid in the early stages of pregnancy as it has been linked with miscarriage.

But bushy plants are not the only source for herbal tea recipes.

Rose Hips HErbal Tea Recipe Rose Hips ..., have long been used to make a fine brew. Produced from the fruit of the rose plant, this reddish drink has a delicate taste and mild flavor, which can be enhanced by adding a little lemon juice or a twist of lemon peel.

Rose Hip tea provides plentiful vitamin C, and a brew made from 100g of dried rose hips will contain almost 2g of vitamin C.

During WWII, when imports of oranges were restricted by the war, people turned to Rose Hips to help supplement their need for that essential vitamin.

Rose Hip tea is made from crushed or chopped Rose Hips and can help ward off colds and infections. In November to December pick the harder rose hips, dry them whole and use to make a warming winter tea. Simply crush the dried hips slightly and then steep in boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain through a clean cotton cloth and drink. There really is nothing better than rose hips in winter for defending against infection, preventing colds and helping with exhaustion.

Ginseng Herbal Tea Recipe Ginseng Tea ... While the alleged aphrodisiac effect of ginseng is still up for debate, both the delightful taste and the health benefits have been well established.

Ginseng tea should be consumed in moderation, since drinking herbal ginseng tea can lead to excess nervousness.

Produced from the fleshy root of the Panax plant, ginseng has a very distinctive taste.

Some find it bitter, others liken it to a mild soda pop. As with any herbal tea recipes, you either like it or you don't.

Rooibos, an African word meaning red bush, while not a true tea, is closer to black tea than many herbals.

Rooibos tea is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. and elsewhere, thanks to its distinctive taste and red color.

The color is appropriate, since the taste is rather hard to describe, being also red, tangy, flavorful and with the clarity of a fine, light, black tea it is a wonderful addition to your tea caddy.

So, whether your intended goal is to relieve the symptoms of a cold, strive for longer life or simply to relax and enjoy a tasty hot brew, herbal tea recipes are an essential part of the tea connoisseurs caddy.

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Favorite Tea Recipes

A Cool Iced Tea, a real Summer Treat.

Ice Tea - A Summer Treat Steep 60g (2oz) of your favorite tea in 1.2 liters (2 pints) of freshly drawn cold water for at least 3 hours or overnight if possible.