How to make your own herbal tea straight from the garden

Herbal teas are popular for a number of reasons – not only do they taste great but there are many health benefits.

But did you know it was easy to make your own?

Organics expert Linda Brennan from Ecobotanica says you can use a variety of dried herbs and flowers bought from the store, but you can also grow them in your garden and pick them fresh from a pot.

Simply pick your herbs and put them in a plunger. Make sure to give them a good rinse off with water, then pour in boiling water and let the fragrances release for three to four minutes. Once the water starts to colour, you can pour it into your cup.

Here are some herbs or plants you could try brewing up:

Mexican Tarragon: A liquorice-flavoured herb with a lovely yellow flower.

Stevia: The leaf is often used as a sweetener. It’s calorie free, so include it for those with a sweet tooth. 

Lemon balm: This has a lovely lemon taste, and grows well in a hanging basket as well as a garden.

Pineapple Sage: A lovely edible flower that tastes like pineapple, but the leaves are what give the flavour.

Green fennel: This one’s another liquorice-flavoured herb. 

Cornflower:  Good for women’s health, cornflower eases things like premenstrual tension.

Liquorice root: This is good for coughs and colds as it breaks down mucus. It comes with a warning, though – don’t have more than three cups a week if you have hypertension.

Rose petals: These add a soothing element to any brew.

Blend your own mix: Linda makes one she calls ‘allsorts’, which includes liquorice root, fennel, tarragon and liquorice leaf.

Read more: How to grow your own turmeric at home. 

Try a tea alternative

Ice Tea

You can turn your tea into a beautiful iced tea for those warmer days, by adding ice blocks to the brew of flowers and leaves. Just make sure you take the leaves out to store the liquid.  You can keep it cold in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Traveller’s BYO

If you prefer your own brew, take it with you even while travelling on holiday, simply by packing the dried herbs and a small pot. 

What is your favourite herbal tea flavour?