Tea Herb Gardening
Grow Your Own Herbal Tea

Start with a large container, several small containers or, if you prefer, a portion of your garden. Prepare the soil as you usually do and then choose the herbs you will be growing in your Herbal Tea garden. There is quite an interesting variety of herbs to choose from suitable for making delicious herbal teas. The herbs you choose for tea herb garden will be according to your taste. This is a selection of herbs that are most used when growing plants destined to making tea.

Peppermint (Mentha x peperita)

This one herb is enjoyed by many people. Its savory fresh taste is uplifting and cleansing, peppermint can be used to soothe stomach troubles of all kinds. This ”cool” herb is usually quite easy to grow and are comfortable in sunny and semi-shaded spots. It is highly suggested to grow peppermint in a pot, if not contained this herb could spread all over the garden at quite a rapid rate. Leaves are used for making tea.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Has been grown for over 2000yrs, the leaves have a mild lemony scent and flavour. This plant is similar to mint and should be grown in a pot / container as it could spread if not contained. Leaves are used for making tea. Will also attract bees to your garden. Lemon balm is packed with antioxidants.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) 

The infused leaves has a refreshing lemony taste. To grow well it will needs full sun and cannot survive a harsh winter, so if you live in an  area inclined to such weather, you should grow then in a pot for easy transportation. The leaves are used for making tea.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Marjoram has a fruity, citrus flavor and a light taste of mint. It grows best in full sun to semi-shade. Use both the leaves and flowers for steeping.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Used for a soothing tisane that relaxes when you are a bit tense or feeling a headache coming. This herb grows at its best in well-drained soil, under a full sun. Buds are used for making a very nice, softly fragrant tea. There a many different cultivars of Lavender .

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) 

This lightly apple scented herb is traditionally used when calm and sleep is desired. This herb, when growing, is beautiful as a lawn feature with tiny daisy-like flowers. It enjoys growing under a full sun to semi-shade. The flowers are the most popular part for making tea. Chamomile has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiphlogistic properties.

 

Rose Hips

These are the seed cases for roses. Rose hips are very, very high in vitamin C which is great for you. These hips forms at the time when the rose bush goes to seed. Wait until they reach a deep orange-red shade before harvesting. Gently clean the rose hips before steeping.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

This herb  has a bit of orange flavor. The plant produces beautiful bright red, purple, or pink flowers and enjoys the full sun or semi-shade. Both leaves and flowers are used for steeping.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Usually used in cooking, coriander is also a great herb for herbal tea and has a flavor that resembles Lady Grey tea. Coriander has a strong citrus undertone, a spicy and acidic flavor. Grows best in full sun to semi-shade and is a perfect container herb. Leaves are used for making tea.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

This herb makes a good tea for soothing stomach ailments and sore throats. Being spicy thyme may be an acquired taste, so you should try it first before cutting too much herb. It grow very well in thef full sun and semi-shade. Use the leaves for tea and if flowers are present, you can also add them.

Jasmine (Jasminum)

Jasmine has a delicate yet enticing flavor. It grows in full sun to semi-shade. It needs a trellis or wall to really thrive. It does not enjoy cold winter climates, however, it would be better in a potting arrangement so that can be moved indoors once the temperature starts dropping. The flowers are used for making tea.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

This pesky irritating plant is actually used against a series of different ailments when brewed as a tea and doesn’t sting. Research has shown that it helps against muscle and joint pain. Use it to help strengthen bones as its a great source of calcium, iron and magnesium.  Can aid in lowering your blood pressure.

Violets (Viola)

Violet tea will likely be a favourite with you especially if you love the smell of violets. This herb prefers a shady growing area and are easy potted plants if desired. Violets are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. They are soothing and refreshing and and can be used as a  tonic after the winter season. The dried leaves and flowers are used for steeping.

Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)

Not only is the type of basil great for use in Cookies and Cakes but great for Tea. This type of basil gets it’s name due to its reminiscent flavour of cinnamon.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Rosemary has long been used in infusions. This herb can be used for easing emotional depression and blood circulation troubles. This plant will grow best in strong full sun but but can also be grown in a light shaded area, rosemary requires a well-drained soil.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

You can cook in stir fries and you can also brew it as a tea. Ginger helps against heartburn and also helps sooth irritable bowels. Ginger was shown to have helped against period pains in this study.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Perennial flower cultivated for it’s root which is used in herbal medicine. You can make tea from the root. People use it to treat colds, coughs and chest problems. Ginseng is also effective in the treatment of stomach problems and constipation, as it heals digestive disturbances.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) – Grow your own sugar

Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener, replacing sugar in an herbal infusion and not harmful for diabetics. This herb does not like colder weather and should be a potted herb that can be brought indoors for the winter season. Leaves are naturally sweet and their sweetness should be concentrated by drying or dehydrating them.

Harvesting to make fresh herbal tea

The best time of day to pick the leaves or flowers is right after the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun begins to draw the oils out of the plant. To prepare the leaves, you should bruise them to release their essential oils. Do this by rubbing the leaves together.

To make the tea, simply add the herbs to a teapot or directly in a mug or a cup. For each cup of tea, add about 2 to 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves and/or flowers. Slice rose hips in halves before adding. Let it steep for 5 minutes. This will release the flavors and the full benefits of the herb’s or flower’s qualities.

You will need to grate both the Ginger and the Ginseng roots before adding them.