Herbal teas are made from dried plants, roots, bark, and other parts of the plant. They may also contain flowers, fruits, and seeds. Some herbal teas may be called tisanes or infusions. Herbal tea is a medicinal tea made from herbs, often steeped in boiling water, for a few minutes. When the liquid is cooled, it will be called iced tea. Herbal teas can have many different effects on their drinkers. Some may lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate while others may cause the body to sweat and rid itself of toxins more effectively than drinking water.
How to Brew Herbal Tea
The process of brewing herbal tea is not as complicated as you may think. There are 3 common ways to brew herbal tea:
Steeping: First, you will need to prepare the water by adding it to a pot and heating it up. Then you will need to measure out the tea leaves and add them to a teapot or mug. It is essential that you do not put too many leaves in the pot because this will make your tea taste bitter. A tablespoon of herbs will be sufficient for one cup. After that, pour the hot water into your teapot or mug and let it steep for 3-5 minutes before drinking.
Infusion: Basically an infusion is a therapeutic tea that is allowed to steep for up to 24 hours. They're consumed for their health benefits. They are also able to extract more vitamins & minerals than a tea that only gets steeped for 5 minutes. Infusions are becoming more and more popular in the modern world, as people are trying to find ways to stay healthy and get their bodies in order. You may make both cold and hot infusions. The only difference is cold water is used in the latter. Delicate species like lemon balm, mint, and rose buds are much better and healthier with the cold infusion.
Decoction: Decoction is a method of boiling herbs for ~20-60 minutes. This method can be preferred for species that contain heavy materials like resins and oil that are not so easily extracted into water.
How to Select the Best Herbs for a Loose Leaf Infuser or Tea Bag
The selection of herbs for a loose-leaf infuser or tea bag is an important part of the process. The best herbs for your tea depend on the type of tea that you are making and your personal preferences. Let’s explore some of the best herbs for a loose-leaf infuser or tea bag and discuss how they can be used to make a variety of different types of herbal teas.
Chamomile - Chamomile is considered to be an anxiolytic and sedative, which can help relieve tension and promote sleep. It is a sweet, slightly sour herb with a light apple-like smell. You can use this herb in teas also for digestion, respiratory ailments, or as part of a treatment for the common cold.
Lemon Balm - This herb is commonly used as a natural treatment for anxiety and insomnia. It has a citric and fruity smell as well as a light lemony flavor. It can be used in teas for colds or digestive problems, or to help aid in sleep deprivation.
Echinacea - This herb has culinary and medicinal uses, as well as a light minty smell. It can be used in teas for colds, coughs, and asthma, or mouthwash to fight bad breath.
Yarrow - This herb has a light celery smell and is used in tea to help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. It can be used in teas for colds, and wounds, or as part of a treatment for the common cold.
Borage - This herb has a light cucumber smell that can be used in teas for colds, coughs, or bronchitis. It can also be used as a topical oil to relieve itching and remove warts.
Rosemary - This herb has a strong smell, with a light pine-like scent. It is commonly used in teas for colds, as well as for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger - Ginger is best known for its antioxidants, which are helpful with all sorts of ailments from the common cold to cancer prevention. As an anti-inflammatory, ginger can help with mild pain relief from arthritis or even menstrual cramps.