Herbal Tea Guide: Benefits, Brewing & 8 Easy Recipes
Herbal Tea Guide: Benefits, Brewing & 8 Easy Recipes
Herbal tea is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to explore herbs at home. From the refreshing flavor of peppermint to the delicate floral notes of chamomile and the bright lemony aroma of lemon balm, herbs can be combined in countless ways to create flavorful drinks for every season.
Unlike traditional black or green tea, herbal teas are made by steeping plant materials such as leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, berries, and spices in water. Depending on the ingredients, herbal teas can be light and refreshing, rich and warming, floral, minty, tart, or naturally sweet.
Herbal teas also have a long history of use in traditional herbal practices. Today, many people enjoy them simply for their flavor, as caffeine-free alternatives to traditional tea, or as part of their everyday wellness routines.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn what herbal tea is, which herbs are commonly used, how to brew herbs properly, the difference between an infusion and a decoction, and how to create your own herbal tea blends.
And, of course, we’ll put everything into practice with 8 simple herbal tea recipes you can make at home.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, Natural Holistic Care may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
What Is Herbal Tea?
Although we commonly call them “herbal teas,” herbal beverages aren’t technically tea in the traditional botanical sense.
True tea—including black, green, white, and oolong tea—comes from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Herbal teas are prepared from other plants and may contain leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, berries, seeds, bark, or spices.
You may also hear herbal tea referred to as a tisane or herbal infusion.
For everyday purposes, however, “herbal tea” is the familiar term—and it’s the one we’ll use throughout this guide.
One of the wonderful things about herbal tea is its variety. A cup might contain a single herb, such as peppermint, or a blend of several botanicals chosen for their complementary flavors and traditional uses.
What Parts of Herbs Can Be Used for Tea?
Herbal tea isn’t limited to leaves. Different plants provide different usable parts, which is one reason herbal tea offers so much variety.
🌿 Leaves
Leaves generally create lighter, aromatic herbal teas.
Examples:
Peppermint
Lemon balm
Spearmint
Tulsi
🌼 Flowers
Flowers can add delicate floral flavors, aromas, and beautiful color.
Examples:
Chamomile
Lavender
Hibiscus
Elderflower
🌱 Roots & Rhizomes
Roots and rhizomes often produce stronger, earthier or spicier flavors and may require longer preparation.
Examples:
Ginger
Dandelion root
Turmeric
Licorice root
🍒 Fruits & Berries
Dried fruits and berries can contribute tartness, sweetness, color, and complexity.
Examples:
Rose hips
Elderberries
Dried apple
Dried citrus peel
🌾 Seeds
Seeds can bring warm, aromatic flavors to herbal blends.
Examples:
Fennel
Anise
Cardamom
🌳 Bark
Certain barks are also traditionally prepared in herbal beverages.
Examples:
Cinnamon bark
Why Drink Herbal Tea?
ou don’t need a specific health concern to enjoy herbal tea.
For many people, the appeal is simply the ritual: choosing herbs, heating the water, allowing the blend to steep, and sitting down with a warm cup.
Herbal teas can also offer:
- A wide variety of natural flavors and aromas
- Many naturally caffeine-free options
- A simple way to explore individual herbs
- Hot and iced beverage options
- An alternative to heavily sweetened drinks
- An easy introduction to home herbal preparations
- Endless opportunities to create your own blends
Different herbs have also been used traditionally for different purposes. However, traditional use isn’t the same as proof that an herb prevents or treats a medical condition. Herbal products can also cause side effects or interact with medications, so individual herbs should be researched rather than assuming that “natural” automatically means safe.
How to Make Herbal Tea
Making herbal tea doesn’t require complicated equipment.
For a basic cup, you’ll need:
Dried or fresh herbs
Hot water
A mug or teapot
A tea infuser or strainer
A lid or covered teapot is also useful, particularly when working with aromatic herbs.
Basic Herbal Tea Method
For many dried leafy or flowering herbs, a simple starting method is:
1. Add the herbs.
Place your chosen dried herbs into a tea infuser, teapot, or heat-safe cup.
2. Heat the water.
Bring fresh water to the appropriate temperature for the herbs you’re preparing.
3. Pour over the herbs.
Pour the hot water directly over your herbs.
4. Cover while steeping.
Place a lid or small plate over the cup, or use a covered teapot.
This is especially useful with aromatic herbs because some of their volatile compounds can escape with steam.
5. Steep.
Many leafy and flowering herbal teas are pleasant after approximately 5–10 minutes, although preparation varies by herb.
6. Strain.
Remove the infuser or strain the herbs before drinking.
7. Taste and adjust.
You can add more water if the flavor is too strong or experiment with different amounts the next time you brew.
Honey, lemon, or other ingredients can also be added when appropriate.
Beginner Tip: More herb and longer steeping don’t automatically make an herbal preparation “better.” Follow preparation guidance for the particular herbs you’re using.
Herbal Infusion vs. Decoction
This is an important concept to teach because not every herb should be prepared exactly the same way.
Herbal Infusion
An infusion generally involves pouring hot water over plant material and allowing it to steep.
This method works particularly well with more delicate plant parts such as:
Leaves • Flowers • Some soft aerial portions
Examples include:
Chamomile • Lemon balm • Peppermint • Lavender
Think of an infusion as the method most similar to making an ordinary cup of tea.
Herbal Decoction
A decoction uses prolonged heating or gentle simmering and is generally better suited to harder plant materials.
These may include:
Roots • Bark • Some seeds and tougher plant materials
Examples include preparations containing ingredients such as:
Ginger root • Dandelion root • Cinnamon bark
Rather than assuming one brewing time works for every botanical, check preparation instructions for the particular herb you’re using.
Infusion
Leaves & flowers
Hot-water steep
Usually shorter preparation
Lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint
Decoction
Roots & bark
Gentle simmer
Usually longer preparation
Ginger, dandelion root, cinnamon
Essential Tools for Making Herbal Tea
You don’t need a lot of equipment to make herbal tea, but a few reusable tools can make preparing loose herbs much easier.
Glass Teapot With Infuser
A glass teapot with a removable infuser is useful for brewing loose herbs and larger batches of tea.
Reusable Tea Infuser
A roomy stainless-steel infuser gives loose herbs space to expand while steeping and makes preparing a single cup simple.
Electric Kettle
An electric kettle provides a convenient way to heat fresh water quickly for teas and other herbal preparations.
Herb Storage Jars
Glass storage jars help keep dried herbs organized and protected from moisture and strong odors.
Lemon Balm & Chamomile Tea
Light • Floral • Gently Lemony
A mild combination of lemon balm and chamomile creates a pleasantly floral tea that’s especially nice when you want to slow down and enjoy a relaxing cup.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile
- 1 cup hot water
- Honey, optional
Directions: Combine the herbs in a tea infuser or heat-safe cup. Pour hot water over them, cover, and steep for approximately 5–10 minutes. Strain and sweeten if desired.
Lemon Balm & Peppermint Tea
Fresh • Minty • Refreshing
Lemon balm’s mild citrus notes pair beautifully with peppermint for a bright herbal tea that’s enjoyable either warm or chilled.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm
- ½–1 teaspoon dried peppermint
- 1 cup hot water
- Fresh lemon, optional
Directions: Combine the herbs and cover with hot water. Steep covered for approximately 5–10 minutes, strain, and add a slice of fresh lemon if desired.
Ginger & Lemon Tea
Warming • Spicy • Citrusy
Fresh ginger and lemon make a simple, warming herbal drink with a pleasantly spicy flavor balanced by bright citrus.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh ginger
- 1½ cups water
- 1–2 fresh lemon slices
- Honey, optional
Directions: Add the ginger and water to a small saucepan. Gently simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain, and add fresh lemon and honey if desired.
Chamomile & Lavender Tea
Floral • Aromatic • Delicate
Chamomile and a small amount of lavender create an aromatic floral tea that’s ideal for a quiet evening ritual.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile
- ¼ teaspoon culinary lavender
- 1 cup hot water
- Honey, optional
Directions: Combine the herbs, pour hot water over them, and cover. Steep for approximately 5–7 minutes before straining.
Beginner tip: Lavender can quickly overpower a blend, so start with a small amount.
Hibiscus & Rose Hip Tea
Tart • Fruity • Vibrant
Hibiscus and rose hips create a colorful herbal tea with a naturally tart, fruit-forward flavor. It’s particularly refreshing served over ice.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried hibiscus
- 1 teaspoon dried rose hips
- 1½ cups water
- Honey, optional
Directions: Add the herbs to hot water, cover, and steep according to the preparation instructions for your ingredients. Strain and enjoy warm, or allow the tea to cool before serving over ice.
Peppermint & Ginger Tea
Minty • Spicy • Refreshing
Cooling peppermint and warming ginger create an interesting balance of flavors in this easy two-herb blend.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried peppermint
- 3–4 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1 cup water
Directions: Gently simmer the ginger in water for approximately 5–10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the peppermint, cover, and steep for another 5 minutes. Strain before serving.
Cinnamon & Ginger Tea
Warm • Spiced • Cozy
Cinnamon and ginger make a fragrant herbal drink that’s especially enjoyable during fall and winter.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4–5 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1½ cups water
- Honey, optional
Directions: Combine the cinnamon, ginger, and water in a small saucepan. Gently simmer for approximately 10–15 minutes. Strain and sweeten if desired.
Simple Lemon Balm Tea
Fresh • Lemony • Beginner-Friendly
Sometimes the simplest preparation is the best way to become familiar with an herb. This single-herb tea highlights lemon balm’s naturally fresh, mild flavor.
🌿
Ingredients
- 1–2 teaspoons dried lemon balm
- 1 cup hot water
- Honey or lemon, optional
Directions: Pour hot water over the lemon balm and cover. Steep for approximately 5–10 minutes, strain, and add honey or lemon if desired.
Stock Your Herbal Tea Pantry
Creating your own herbal tea blends is easier when you keep a small collection of versatile dried herbs on hand. Start with a few favorites such as lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, lavender, and ginger, then experiment with combinations to discover the flavors you enjoy.
How to Create Your Own Herbal Tea Blends
Once you’re comfortable preparing individual herbs, creating your own herbal tea blends is a fun way to experiment with different flavors and aromas.
You don’t need a complicated formula. Start with just two or three herbs, prepare a small amount, and adjust the combination until you find a flavor you enjoy.
Start With a Base Herb
Your base herb makes up the main flavor of the blend.
Beginner-friendly choices include:
- Lemon balm
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Chamomile
- Hibiscus
- Rooibos
Add a Complementary Herb
Next, choose an herb that adds another layer of flavor.
For example:
Lemon balm + chamomile creates a mild, floral blend.
Peppermint + ginger combines cool mint with warming spice.
Chamomile + lavender creates a more aromatic floral tea.
Hibiscus + rose hips produces a tart, fruit-forward blend.
Add an Accent
A smaller amount of a strongly flavored ingredient can finish the blend.
Try ingredients such as:
- Lavender
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Citrus peel
- Fennel
- Cardamom
Strongly flavored herbs and spices can quickly overpower a tea, so use small amounts at first.
A Simple Beginner Blending Formula
For your first experiments, try thinking about the blend in parts rather than exact measurements:
2 parts base herb + 1 part complementary herb + a small amount of an accent ingredient
For example:
2 parts lemon balm + 1 part chamomile + a small amount of lavender
This isn’t a universal medicinal formula. It’s simply an easy way to begin experimenting with flavor proportions.
Natural Holistic Care Tip: Write down every blend you create. Record the ingredients and proportions so you can recreate your favorites—or adjust the ones that need improvement.
Hot vs. Iced Herbal Tea
Most of the blends in this guide can be enjoyed either warm or chilled.
Hot Herbal Tea
Prepare the tea according to the recipe, strain, and enjoy it while warm.
A slice of lemon or a small amount of honey can be added if desired.
Iced Herbal Tea
Prepare your herbal tea, strain it, and allow it to cool before refrigerating.
Serve over ice with optional additions such as:
Fresh mint • Lemon • Lime • Fresh berries
Because ice dilutes beverages as it melts, you may prefer a slightly more flavorful brew when preparing tea specifically for serving over ice.
Store prepared tea refrigerated in a clean, covered container and discard it if you notice signs of spoilage.
How to Store Dried Herbs and Tea Blends
Proper storage helps protect the flavor, aroma, and quality of your dried herbs.
Keep dried herbs and homemade tea blends in clean, dry, airtight containers.
Store them away from:
- Direct sunlight
- Heat
- Moisture and humidity
- Strong odors
A cool, dark cabinet or pantry is generally preferable to displaying herbs beside a sunny window or stove.
Label homemade blends with:
Blend name
Ingredients
Date mixed
If you’re storing individual herbs, including the common and botanical names on your labels is an excellent habit as your herbal pantry grows.
Periodically inspect your herbs. Discard anything showing evidence of moisture, mold, contamination, unusual odors, or other deterioration.
Herbal Tea Safety
Herbal tea may seem simple, but herbs contain naturally occurring compounds and should still be used thoughtfully.
An herb being described as “natural” doesn’t automatically mean that it’s appropriate for every person or in every amount.
Before regularly using an unfamiliar herb, research:
- The correct plant species
- Which plant part is used
- Appropriate preparation methods
- Potential allergies
- Possible side effects
- Medication interactions
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding precautions
- Whether it’s appropriate for children
- Other individual precautions
This becomes especially important when using concentrated preparations, large quantities, multiple herbs together, or herbs regularly over extended periods.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medications, have medical conditions, are preparing herbal products for children, or have questions about an herb’s suitability should seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions About Herbal Tea
Is herbal tea really tea?
Technically, traditional teas such as black, green, white, and oolong come from Camellia sinensis. Drinks prepared by steeping other herbs, flowers, roots, fruits, seeds, and spices are often called herbal teas or tisanes.
Does herbal tea contain caffeine?
Many herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, including preparations made only from herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, and hibiscus.
However, don’t assume every product labeled an “herbal blend” is caffeine-free. A commercial blend may also contain traditional tea or other caffeine-containing ingredients. Check the ingredient list when avoiding caffeine.
Can I make herbal tea with fresh herbs?
Yes. Many herbs, including mint and lemon balm, can be used fresh.
Fresh and dried herbs aren’t always interchangeable in identical amounts, however, so follow an appropriate recipe when measurements matter.
How long should herbal tea steep?
It depends on the plant and plant part.
Delicate leaves and flowers are often prepared as infusions, while tougher materials such as certain roots and bark may require longer preparation or a decoction.
That’s why there isn’t one perfect steeping time for every herbal tea.
Should I cover herbal tea while it steeps?
Covering aromatic herbs while they steep can help reduce the loss of volatile aromatic compounds with the steam.
A teapot with a lid, covered mug, or small plate placed over your cup works well.
Can I combine different herbs in one tea?
Yes, but research each ingredient individually before combining herbs.
For flavor experimentation, beginning with two or three familiar herbs makes it easier to determine which combinations you enjoy.
What’s the difference between an herbal tea and an herbal infusion?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation.
Generally, an infusion describes the process of steeping plant material in water. “Herbal tea” is the familiar name for the beverage.
Some herbal traditions also use the term infusion for preparations made with larger quantities of herbs or longer steeping periods, so terminology can vary.
Can herbal tea be served cold?
Absolutely. Many herbal teas are excellent chilled.
Hibiscus, peppermint, lemon balm, and fruit-forward blends are especially refreshing served over ice.
Continue Your Herbal Journey
Lemon Balm: Benefits, Uses & How to Use This Calming Herb
Discover lemon balm, its traditional uses, preparation methods, safety considerations, and simple ways to incorporate this fragrant herb into your herbal routine.
A Beginner’s Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs
Get acquainted with popular herbs including chamomile, peppermint, lavender, ginger, turmeric, lemon balm, rosemary, and calendula.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture
Ready to explore herbal preparations beyond tea? Learn the basic process for preparing, steeping, straining, bottling, and labeling an herbal tincture.
How to Make Herbal Salves
Learn how herb-infused oils and beeswax can be transformed into simple homemade herbal salves.
🌿 FREE HERBAL GUIDE
Herbal Tea Brewing Guide
Turn a simple cup of tea into a relaxing herbal ritual with the Herbal Tea Brewing Guide—a beginner-friendly resource designed to help you brew flavorful herbal teas with confidence.
Herbal tea is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience herbs, but choosing the right herbs, water temperature, steeping time, and preparation method can make all the difference. This FREE guide walks you through the essentials so you can create delicious herbal teas right at home.
Whether you’re brewing your very first herbal tea or looking to improve the cups you already enjoy, this guide gives you an easy reference you can return to whenever it’s time to put the kettle on.
Download your FREE Herbal Tea Brewing Guide and discover how simple it can be to brew a flavorful cup of herbal tea at home.
Choose your herbs. Perfect your brew. Enjoy the ritual.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The information presented by Natural Holistic Care should not be considered medical advice or used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Herbs and herbal preparations, including tinctures, may not be appropriate for everyone. Herbal products can cause side effects, allergic reactions, or interactions with medications and other supplements. Always research an herb carefully before use and follow appropriate preparation and safety guidelines.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, managing a medical condition, preparing herbal products for a child, or have questions about whether an herb is appropriate for you, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
Homemade herbal preparations can vary considerably in strength and concentration. Natural Holistic Care does not provide individualized dosing recommendations, and the recipes and preparation methods provided on this website are intended for educational purposes.
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