There is nothing more delightful than the lovely sight of fresh growing herbs in one’s tea garden. The aroma, health, and taste they bring are different and priceless. Various parts of a plant such as flowers, leaves, roots, seeds go into the making herbal teas. Many loose leaf teas can be purchased online.
Whichever herbs for homesteaders you decide to brew, pour boiling water over the herb and allow steeping time for the flavor to release and meet your lips. Several herb combinations can create the herbal infusion to your like.
Looking to delight your senses with your herbal tea garden? Here are some of the choicest herbs you can pluck from your windowsill and steep them to a heavenly taste.
Holy Basil:
There is nothing more refreshing in the morning than a cup of basil tea, embracing your senses. Basil tea has a variety of health benefits to become your foremost and preferred choice. The Zen herb has plenty of medicinal benefits. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and also freshens breath. Mix it with honey and ginger and get relief from respiratory problems like common cold and asthma.
Brewing tip: Pluck a couple of leaves per cup and infuse it for several minutes.
Chamomile
There are two kinds of Chamomile – Roman, and German. Chamomile is a lightly-flavored tea that is usually grown in large gardens. Visually pleasing daisy-like flowers smell like an apple. A chamomile plant thrives well in the sun. Pluck the flowers as soon as they appear. The homegrown chamomile plant calms the nerves and induces sleep. Grow chamomile in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9 for best results.
Brewing tip: Use the small white and yellow flowers of chamomile, not the leaves to prepare the tea.
Rosemary:
When growing herbs there is no better herb to make sure you have than rosemary. Strong flavor and aroma are some of the characteristics of a rosemary plant. The tea, thus, is pungent in taste. It doesn’t take too long to steep. Just add a few drops of sweetener to it to reduce the pungency. To make a cup of tea, all you need is one teaspoon of dry or fresh rosemary leaves
Brewing tip: Put a tsp of dried rosemary leaves in a tea infuser and steep it for a few minutes. Or, pluck fresh fronds and steep it.
Cannabis:
Although not everyone will choose cannabis when growing herbs, it can be a delight to the herb garden. To grow high-quality cannabis from seeds requires sample testing of the plants from reputable labs. Get the testing done 3-4 weeks after the seedlings begin to emerge from the soil. It is a good way to judge the seeds’ superiority irrespective of the soil amendments like compost tea.
Even if the seeds have the right genetics, make sure that the soil they will be growing in is warm and going 5 cm down. Avoid overwatering of the plant and let the growing room temperature be in the range of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After identifying the strain, use clones to avoid any speculation. You could always buy edibles online to go with your cup of tea.
Brewing tip: CBD Blue Shark, CBD Critical Cure, and CBD Kush are high-CBD breeds best for home growers. They treat arthritis, numbness, and chronic anxiety.
Mint:
When growing herbs, mint is the most favorite herb among herbal tea lovers and the most aromatic kitchen herb. One of the easiest plants to grow, mint comes in different varieties. Peppermint tea is famous for fighting gastric disorders, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain. It also stimulates the appetite, reduces flatulence, and has one of the most refreshing flavors in the herbal tea segment. The robustness of the plant is a full advantage, but it needs tender care to thrive.
Brewing tip: Crush a few mint leaves before adding it to water for extra taste.
Stevia
Natural and sugar-free sweetness, Stevia is the “sugar plant”. The in-store stevia versions are white and have a sugar-like shape. The homegrown version is a green leafy plant. Stevia is a sugar substitute for people with diabetes. That’s why it finds ample use in homemade tea. Use it to sweeten iced tea or hot beverages. Stevia makes a great addition to the garden when growing herbs.
Brewing tip: Keep the stems of a stevia plant aside at the time of brew. They are slightly bitter.
Ginger
South-East Asia loves ginger, which is why ginger tea is so popular. The roots and leaves of ginger complete the tea-making process. Ginger tea is immensely praised in Indian Ayurveda for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is an excellent inclusion in homemade tea to fight off the common cold and sore throat. It also improves appetite and digestion.
Brewing tip: Slice fresh piece of ginger, never peel it.
Final Thoughts on Growing Herbs
Several flowers and herbs are suitable for making homemade teas. Choose the one to your like and what grows best in the climate. Use freshly plucked herbs or air dry them to savor aromatic herbal teas. Never remove too many plant leaves. It can kill the plant. Do not use pesticides either on your homemade tea herbs.
When growing herbs, make sure to choose some to add to herbal teas. Growing herbs is simple, fun and comes with a plethora of options for teas, cooking, and even herbal remedies. Share with me your ideas for growing herbs below.
For a great E-book packed with information on herb gardening from growing to harvesting and even using your herbs, check out my newest e-book, Herbs 101: Herb Gardening and Preserving for the Beginner.
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