Herbal Tea Preparation Methods & List of Herbal Teas

Herbal tea is a beverage prepared from various herbs. Each herbal tea has different effects in the body. Each is known for its unique health benefits. There are various methods of preparation of an herbal tea.

Generally, we can prepare these herbal teas by boiling herbs in water, making herbal decoction or steeping herbs in water. Herbal tea does not contain caffeine.

Types of Herbal Tea and Preparation Methods

We can divider herbal teas into three main categories depending on their preparation methods.

1. Herbal decoction
2. Herbal infusion
3. Herbal water

Herbal decoction

Herbal decoction is prepared using following method:

1. Take 1000 ml water and 10 to 40 grams of herb.
2. Soak the herbs in water overnight.
3. Boil the water with herb.
4. Now simmer the water with herbs until water remains one fourth.
5. 250 ml water will remain out of 1000 ml. This is known as herbal decoction.
6. This decoction is used as tea and sometimes, it is called herbal decoction tea.

This method is ancient and recommended if you are taking herbal tea for therapeutic purposes.

Herbal infusion

Herbal infusion preparation method is very simple. When we prepare herbal water, we do not use the heat.

1. Take 250 ml warm water and 10 to 20 grams of herb.
2. Soak the herbs overnight or at least 12 hours.
3. Now, strain the liquid and discard herbal residues.
4. The liquid remains after this process is called herbal infusion.

Herbal infusion does not have many benefits like decoction. Many of active substances remain in the discarded herbs after this process.

Herbal water

There is a little difference between herbal water and herbal decoction. Just boiling the herbs into water, not reducing water by evaporation is called herbal water. Many of herbal teas are prepared using this method. It is simple and many of extracts are present in herbal water.

1. Take a required amount of herbs and 100 to 250 ml water.
2. Boil the water with herbs and strain the liquid.
3. This liquid is called herbal water.

Indian Traditional Method

Some people also making teas using following methods.

1. Take required amount of herbs and 100 ml water.
2. Boil the water with herbs.
3. Now, add 100 ml cow’s milk and sugar.
4. Boil the mixture once again.
5. Now, strain the liquid and drink it as a tea.

This method is commonly used in India, not only for herbal tea, but also for traditional tea.

Ideal method of herbal tea preparation

We recommend following method for preparation of herbal tea.

1. Take a required amount of herb. You can use herbs fresh or dried.
2. You should soak dried herb for at least 3 to 12 hours before preparing an herbal tea.
3. Now, take 250 ml water and add your favorite herb in it.
4. Now, boil the water with herbs.
5. Strain the liquid and your herbal tea is ready. Enjoy drinking an herbal tea.
6. Some people also add sugar or honey in tea.
7. We recommend using honey, but honey should not be added in hot tea. You can add honey when your tea becomes warm.

This method is perfect and more suitable for all types of herbal teas.

Herbal Tea List

• Anise Tea
• Achillea Tea
• Artichoke tea
• Asiatic penny-wort leaf tea
• Bee balm tea
• Bergamot tea
• Bitter melon tea
• Boldo tea
• Burdock tea
• Calendula tea
• Cannabis tea
• Caraway tea
• Catnip tea (relaxant and sedative)
• Cerasse tea (bitter jamaican tea)
• Chai tea
• Chamomile Tea (Camomile Tea)
• Che dang tea
• Chickweed tea
• Chinese knot weed tea
• Chrysanthemum tea
• Cinnamon Tea
• Coriander tea
• Corn silk tea
• Coca tea
• Coffee leaves tea
• Coffee cherry tea
• Creosote Tea (Larrea tridentata)
• Damiana tea (damiana leaf tea)
• Dandelion tea
• Detox tea
• Dill tea
• Earl grey tea
• Echinacea tea
• Elderflower tea
• Fennel tea
• Fenugreek tea
• Gentian tea
• Ginger tea
• Goji tea
• Ginkgo biloba tea (ginkgo tea)
• Ginseng tea
• Gotu kola tea
• Green tea
• Guava tea (guava leaves tea)
• Gymnema tea
• Hibiscus tea
• Honeybush tea
• Hyssop tea
• Jasmine tea
• Jian Golan tea
• Jiaogulan tea
• Kapor tea
• Kava tea (kava root tea)
• Kinkeliba tea
• Korean red ginseng tea
• Kuzuyu tea
• Labrador tea
• Lady grey tea
• Lapacho tea
• Lavender tea
• Lemongrass tea
• Lemon balm tea
• Lemon myrtle tea
• Lemon peel tea
• Lime blossom tea (lime dried flower tea)
• Licorice tea
• Linden flower tea
• Lotus tea
• Matcha tea
• Masala tea
• Melissa tea
• Mesquite Tea
• Mint tea
• Mormon Tea (also called Squaw Tea and Desert Tea)
• Mulberry tea
• Mullein tea
• Mugwort tea
• Mountain tea
• Neem tea (Neem leaf tea)
• Nettle tea
• Noni tea
• Oksusu cha (roasted corn tea)
• Orange peel tea
• Oregano tea
• Peppermint tea
• Pomegranate tea
• Pennyroyal leaf tea (abortifacient)
• Pine tea (pine needle tea)
• Pineapple sage tea
• Poppy tea
• Puer tea
• Raspberry leaf tea
• Red Clover tea
• Red raspberry leaf tea
• Roasted barley tea
• Rooibos tea or bush tea
• Rose bud tea
• Rosehip tea
• Rosemary tea
• Rose petals tea
• Saffron tea
• Sagebrush Tea
• Sage Tea (Salvia apiana/mellifera)
• Salvia tea
• Senna tea
• Skullcap tea
• Slippery elm tea
• Spearmint tea
• Soursop tea
• Stevia tea
• John’s wort tea (Hypericum Perforatum Tea)
• Taheebo tea
• Thyme tea
• Tulsi tea (Holy basil tea)
• Turmeric tea
• Valerian tea
• Verbena tea
• Vervain tea
• Vetiver tea
• Wax gourd tea
• Woodruff tea
• Yarrow tea
• Yerba Mate tea

Herbal teas are generally consumed for their different medicinal values and therapeutic purposes in various diseases. These herbal drinks are famous in China and India.

These herbal teas are distinguished from traditional teas. Traditional teas are caffeinated beverages and also called as true teas. These teas include:

• Black tea
• Green tea
• Oolong tea (wu long tea)
• Yellow tea
• White tea

All traditional teas are variety of Camellia sinensis.

Benefits of Herbal Tea

Each herbal tea has its unique medicinal value and therapeutic uses. Now let us, discuss the common benefits of all herbal teas.

• Generally, all herbal teas are stimulant and relaxant. They relax the mind and keep away mental stress. They stimulate the mind for a new freshness and feeling of general well being.
• Herbal teas are abundant in antioxidants, so they can help you fighting off various free radicals in the body. In addition, due to antioxidant activities of herbal teas, they help to delay aging and prevent aging signs on the skin.
• Most of herbal teas are consumed hot and benefits in headache, common cold, sore throat, stress and mental anxiety.
• Ayurvedic teas are rich in vitamins and minerals. Ayurvedic teas contain various herbal combinations and some of herbs are listed in above as individual tea.
• If you do not want to drink caffeinated drinks or teas, then herbal tea is a great choice for you. Herbal teas are free from caffeine.
• Herbal teas might promote health and helpful to keep body hydration.
• Herbal teas might give a sense of pleasure in some people. Aroma flavors in various herbal teas calm the mind.

Herbal Tea Combinations

1. Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea

Herbal tea in pregnancy

Remember, some of herbal teas should not be used during pregnancy. Some of contraindicated teas in pregnancy include:

1. Bitter melon tea
2. Cannabis tea
3. Saffron tea (continuous use)
4. Slippery elm
5. Mace tea
6. Nutmeg tea
7. Papaya tea
8. Verbena tea
9. Wild carrot

During pregnancy, you should consult medical professional before taking any type of herbal tea. The list of herbal tea may be extensive, so please read about each herbal tea separately.