A Guide to Herbal
Teas
In a world full
of stress and busy schedules, we welcome the tranquility and simplicity that
herbal teas provide. When feeling overwhelmed or overworked, there is nothing
that compares to the satisfaction of an aromatic cup of tea. Herbal teas mean comfort
and warmth, and taking a moment out of a hectic day to relax and reflect.
Aside from the pleasure that teas provide, they are also important medicinal
tools. Herbal teas have been consumed for centuries, whether for enjoyment or
as treatment for practically every illness or disease that has ever existed.
Every part of the plant may be used - the root, bark, stem, leaf, flower, and
seed. Because of the number of herbs which exist, discovering all of the
herbal teas could very well last you a lifetime. There is a flavor for every
palate – sweet, tangy, herbal, and many more. From refreshing to soothing,
teas can offer an all natural “pick-me-up” or can completely relax the mind and
body. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine free, and for this reason are
suitable for drinking at any time of the day. Unlike green or black tea, they
may also be consumed by children or by those who cannot consume caffeinated
teas. If you are currently not an herbal tea drinker, we implore you to explore
the ancient and splendid practice of savoring herbal tea.
The History
It is
believed that teas have been used by mankind since prehistoric times, and that
they have been a part of every civilization known to man. Historically, teas
have been consumed primarily as medicine, but also for enjoyment, and have been
used to dye fabrics or yarn, flavor foods or soups, or for aromatic and healing
baths. Archeologists believe that teas were used medicinally by prehistoric
people, long before written history evolved. Documents have been discovered
from Egypt describing the early uses of herbal
tea by ancient Egyptians. Greeks and Romans, such as Plato and Pliny, studied
and cultivated herbs. They created healing brews and tinctures, using herbs as
important medicinal tools. Herbal tea was consumed in Europe before black tea was introduced.
Some of the original herbal teas in Europe, such as Peppermint and Chamomile, are still favorites. In colonial America, herbal teas were consumed after
the Boston Tea Party, as a form of defiance and patriotism. In addition, we
also know that herbal teas have been used by shamans, village doctors, and
herbalists all around the world – including Africa, Central and South America,
North America, India, Russia, Japan, China, and many other countries.
Herbal Tea for Your Health
The medicinal uses of tea are extensive;
they have been used to treat virtually every illness or disease known to
mankind. Many teas are utilized for boosting general health and wellness; these
may be enjoyed at any time. Others focus on relaxation, building immunity and
resistance to illness, treating specific ailments/illnesses, increasing energy
and vitality, cleansing and detox, strengthening the organs, memory
enhancement, insomnia, circulation, improving digestion, adding nutrients and
minerals, stomachaches, headaches, allergies, and an infinite number of other
uses. Herbal teas can be used to treat virtually any condition, and many may
be consumed simply as a prevention method or as an immune or body
strengthener. Herbal teas are truly an important medicinal instrument. The
fact that they also taste wonderful makes them even more desirable. After all,
when was the last time that you actually enjoyed taking your medicine?
Making Your Own Herbal Tea
Blends
Creating
your own herbal tea blends is fun and beneficial for your health! The
possibilities are endless, as personalized tea blends may be made for yourself,
family, and friends. Custom tea blends are a wonderful and healthy gift for
loved ones, and may even encourage non-tea drinkers to taste what they’ve been
missing. Some of the most popular herbs used in creating tea blends are:
Peppermint, Chamomile, Hibiscus, Citrus peels, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena,
Nettle leaf, Licorice root, Spearmint, Red Clover, Rosehips, and spices such as
Cinnamon and Ginger. Mix the desired herbs in small batches, and then brew
your concoction according to the below directions. You may also peruse our
pre-mixed herbal tea blends for inspiration. Please note that we advise
researching herbs thoroughly before creating your tea blends, especially for
those who are on medication or have pre-existing medical conditions.
The Benefits of Loose Leaf
We only
recommend using teas which are in loose leaf form; we do not advocate the use
of pre-made tea bags. The reason being that taste, aroma, and the medicinal
effects are compromised by using pre-packaged tea bags. All of the teas sold
by Mountain Rose Herbs are in loose leaf form, as we strongly believe in the
advantages of using loose leaf teas. The majority of prepackaged teas are made
by using very finely cut herbs and “herb dust”. This is the tea at the bottom
of the tea barrel; it is sold cheaply because the quality is inferior to loose
leaf tea. Furthermore, the small paper bags do not allow for the hot water to
flow very well through the tea leaves, further reducing the quality. By
purchasing loose leaf tea, you can make sure that the tea you brew is fresh,
and of high quality. We recommend using tea brewing utensils which allow for
the tea leaves to infuse properly. Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a wide range of
tea brewing tools and teapots which will provide you with an exceptional cup of
tea. Properly brewing high quality tea results in a more flavorful, aromatic,
and healing beverage.
Brewing Instructions:
There are
two different methods for brewing herbal teas – infusions and decoctions. Infusions
are teas made from the leaves, flowers, and other light plant materials.
Decoctions are brewed from the bark, root, twigs, berries, and seeds.
Following are brewing directions for both:
-Tea Infusion- (Infusion = Tea made from
leaves, flowers and light material) Put 1-2 teaspoons of herbal tea material
into a brewing utensil of your choice and place in a 6-8 oz size cup. Add 6-8
oz of boiling water and allow to steep for up to 3-5 minutes. Increase the
quantity of material accordingly if using a teapot. For a more medicinal effect
steep 15-30 minutes. Will keep refrigerated for 24 hours.
-Tea Decoction- (Decoction = Tea made
from bark, roots, seeds, twigs and berries) Put 1-3 tablespoons of cut herb,
seed, root, bark, etc into a pot of 16-32 oz of water and allow to sit in cool
water for at least 5-10 minutes. Bring water to a slow boil then turn down to a
simmer for 10-30 minutes. The time depends on the strength of tea that you
enjoy. Strain and drink. Will keep for approximately 72 hours if kept
refrigerated.
Tea Storage
Herbal teas are made from natural plant materials, and are
vulnerable to air, light, humidity, and temperature. Some of the best containers
are colored glass, kraft bags, foil lined bags, or air-tight canisters. Herbs lose
their color and flavor with age, and are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature,
moisture, and light. An ideal location is in a dry pantry, cupboard or closet,
with a storage temperature of 65-73 degrees. All herbs and spices have a
relatively fixed shelf life, and we recommend that you only purchase what you
will use within a short period of time. The best guideline to follow is no
longer then 8-12 months for spices and leafy herbs, and no longer then 14-16
months for roots, barks and berries.
This information has
not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease