An Introduction to Brewing 20+ Medicinal Teas

Sipping a hot cup of tea is one of the nicest ways to make the medicine go down. However, it's not always just about placing a teaspoon of herb in a cup of boiling water and drinking it. You must brew tea precisely to extract its medicinal properties when brewing it for medicinal purposes. Then, there's knowing how much to drink, how often, and for how long according to your needs. 

 

I suggest using loose-leaf tea for medicinal purposes because teas typically found in grocery aisles (in tea bags) are often low-quality, and tea bags often contain contaminants. The only exception would be to purchase quality loose-leaf tea in organic tea bags.

 

When brewing loose-leaf tea at home, the tea must be placed in an infuser (such as a tea ball or strainer) or in a pot to allow the leaves to unfurl. Another idea is to purchase organic tea bags. You can also tie herbs in a small square of cheesecloth or muslin.

 

 

Tea FYI

 

A good general rule of thumb for making tea (also called water infusions) is to add one teaspoon (or a heaping teaspoon) of dried herb to 6-8 ounces of water. Some recipes call for up to two teaspoons for a more robust cup, but there are many different types of tea, each with its own requirements. Of course, when using fresh herbs, you'll use more because they aren't dehydrated. The amount depends on the herb you're using.

 

Different tea varieties also require different steeping times (how long it sits before it's ready for sipping). Most teas steep between one and ten minutes. It's essential to steep tea for the right amount of time. Why? If you steep it too long, your tea will be bitter and acidic. If you don't steep it long enough, you'll end up with a flavorless, watered-down version that lacks its medicinal qualities.

 

If you're brewing a caffeinated tea, the longer you steep your tea, the more caffeine will be leached from the leaves.

 

You'll need to boil some herbs and not others. For example, teas made from tougher parts of the plant, such as roots or seeds, need to be finely chopped, added to boiling water, turned down to simmer (covered) for 10 minutes, and strained, while flower petals, which break down more efficiently, can be steeped in simmering water for 2-5 minutes before straining.

 

Seeds, such as fennel, can often be added to leafy or floral teas. However, to access their inner parts, they should be ground with a mortar and pestle or mashed in a bag (such as a Ziplock sandwich bag or a small paper bag) using a rolling pin (or a hammer or a spoon). Larger seeds will need to be hulled and mashed. You can also use a small electric coffee grinder to powder roots and seeds. However, you must strain your tea before drinking to avoid swallowing any undigestible or harmful parts.

Medicinal Tea Recipes

Catnip Tea for Calming Emotions

 

• Use 1-2 teaspoons in a cup with 6-8 ounces of near-boiling water.

 

Steep for 5-10 minutes and strain or remove the tea strainer (infuser). Catnip is ideal for relieving digestive gas and can be taken as a daily tea (2-3 cups per day). This tea is delicious, hot or on ice. Add raw honey or all-natural stevia for sweetness and additional health benefits. Discontinue using stevia if diarrhea develops. 

 

Also, see THW Calming Tea.

 

 

Stress Headache Tea

 

• 1 tsp dried holy basil
• 1 tsp dried lemon balm
• A pinch of chamomile flowers or lavender buds

 

Place the ingredients at the bottom of an 8-ounce cup (or in a tea strainer). Pour near-boiling water over the herbs and cover the cup with a small plate to retain the oils. Steep up to 15 minutes, and sip. Drink up to 4 cups in one day.

 

 

Ashwagandha for Stress

 

Ashwagandha helps reduce stress by balancing cortisol levels. Add one teaspoon of finely chopped ashwagandha Root to 8 ounces of boiling water in a pan on the stove. Turn the heat down and cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes, strain, and sip. Ashwagandha has a pleasant flavor, but you can add raw honey to sweeten it if desired. 

 

 

Lavender & Fennel Seed for Gas, Bloating & Anxiety

 

1/2 teaspoon of a combination of ground lavender buds (for anxiety) and ground flaxseed (for gas) in 8 ounces of water. Steep for 15 minutes. You can use peppermint or fennel seeds (crushed) as an alternative to lavender for stomach pain related to gas. Strain and sip up to 2 cups daily. 

 

 

Sage & Astragalus Tea for Immune Support & Sore Throat

 

• One teaspoon of sage (dried)
• Two or three crumbled, dried bay leaves
• One teaspoon of astragalus root (dried)

 

Simmer in 12 ounces of water for 30-40 minutes. Steep for 30 minutes, then strain and drink twice daily for up to 7 days. Sage and bay work as well as Chlorhexidine or Lidocaine spray for sore throats. You can add raw honey for additional medicinal benefits and sweetening. You can use two teaspoons of either sage or bay. 

 

 

Marshmallow Root Tea for Sore Throat (Serve Hot or Cold), Better Digestion, or Vaginal Dryness

 

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, pour it over 1-2 teaspoons of dried marshmallow root, cover, and steep for 15-20 minutes. Then, strain and drink. You can add raw honey for sweetness and additional medicinal benefits. Sip up to 3 cups per day for no more than 7-14 days. Wait another 7-14 days before drinking it again. Some say that marshmallow root loses its medicinal properties when exposed to water that is too hot. To create a cold infusion, place the same amount of herb (finely chopped or ground) in 1 cup of water in a capped jar for 4-6 hours (or overnight) before straining and drinking. You can add other herbs or lemon to improve the flavor. 

 

 

Marshmallow & Peppermint Tea for Queasiness or Nausea

 

• 1 teaspoon of marshmallow root (dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint (dried)

 

Prepare it the same way as Marshmallow Root tea (directly above). If you already have marshmallow root tea in the fridge, use it to make a cup of peppermint tea instead of water.

 

 

Sage PMS & Menopause Tea

 

Use one teaspoon of dried sage in a tea strainer, then place it in a 6 to 8-ounce cup. Add rolling water. Steep for 4-7 minutes. Strain. Add a touch of raw honey for a bit of sweetness and drink. Sage tea works on symptoms immediately, so you may use it as needed. This tea also calms menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. 

 

 

Rosemary & Saint John's Wort Tea to Lift Mild Depression

 

• 1 teaspoon of rosemary (freshly chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of Saint John's wort (dried)

 

Place herbs in the bottom of a cup, steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, and drink up to 3 cups daily for 3-4 weeks.

 

 

Rosehips Tea for Immune Support

 

Rose hip tea (or herbal capsules) is rich in bioflavonoids, which boost and strengthen the immune system due to its high vitamin C content. To make tea, use one heaping tablespoon of dried, crushed rose hips per 1 cup of water. Cover and steep for 15 minutes, then strain to remove all fine hairs from the hips before sipping. Rose hips are an excellent source of vitamin C and are preferable to ascorbic acid. Optimal vitamin C levels can help prevent the contraction of cold and flu viruses. 

 

 

Holy Basil (Tulsi) Tea for Immune Support

 

Holy basil is immune-boosting and antiviral. It also helps to curb excess cortisol by calming your stress response. Add one teaspoon of dried herb to 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes and sip up to 12 ounces daily. You can drink more when you're ill. Although it's difficult to take too much of this tea, it may not be suitable for specific individuals or when taken with certain medications.

 

 

White Willow Bark Tea for Pain or Fever

 

• 4 tablespoons plus two teaspoons of dried, flaked White Willow bark

 

Place dried, flaked Willow bark in a pot containing 16 ounces of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 6 minutes. Strain, allow to cool a bit, and add raw honey to taste. Drink one to three cups each day. Willow bark contains salicin, the ingredient in Aspirin. While it is more easily tolerated than Aspirin, you may want to avoid it if there's a reason you can't take Aspirin.

 

 

Lemon Balm Tea for Calming the Nerves & Speeding the Healing of Herpes Lesions

 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has sedative properties and antiviral activity against the herpes virus. In a German study, lemon balm was found to cut healing time for cold sores in half. Lemon essential oil may be substituted for lemon balm essential oil and applied directly to HSV-1 and HSV-2 sores and blisters after dilution.

 

Since lemon balm can help you sleep more soundly, I suggest drinking the tea before bed for the first few times to see how your body responds. Some people claim that lemon balm tea makes them feel very sleepy, while others report that it provides a peaceful feeling. I often refer to it as my "happy tea". ​Add one teaspoon or 2-3 mature lemon balm leaves to one cup of rolling (near-boiling) water. Fresh leaves should be crumpled or torn to release essential oils.

 

Fresh or dried lemon balm leaves can be used topically as a poultice.

 

 

Licorice Root Tea for Immune Support

 

• Two tablespoons echinacea (fresh) or one tablespoon echinacea (dried)
• One tablespoon of licorice root (dried, not packed) 

 

Place herbs in 3 cups of water in a pan. Bring to a boil. Then, simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1-2 cups daily as a preventative or up to 3 cups during illness. 

 

Or slice pieces of licorice root into small pieces. Place 2 tablespoons of root in 8 ounces of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour, strain, and drink. You can make extra and refrigerate it for later use. Limit to 1-2 cups daily (up to 3 cups during illness) for seven days. 

 

Or, if you're making tea from licorice root powder, use only ¼ teaspoon per 8 ounces of boiled water. Steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain and sip up to 1-2 cups daily for no longer than 7 days.

 

Note: Do not give to children. Some say you shouldn't take Licorice Root containing glycyrrhizin for longer than 7-10 days. Alternate with another herbal tea or herbal medicine, or use deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, which may be a less potent option. See Herbal Adaptogens & Antivirals for further precautions.

 

 

Sencha or Green Tea for Detoxification

 

Sencha or decaf green tea is excellent for helping the body eliminate toxins. Sencha has very little caffeine, approximately equivalent to that of decaffeinated coffee (3%). 

 

Use just 1-2 teaspoons in a cup with 6-8 ounces of near-boiling water. Boiling water will make green tea too acidic (and turn it yellowish-brown). Steep for approximately 3 minutes, then strain or remove the tea strainer (infuser). This tea is delicious, hot or on ice. Add raw honey or all-natural green stevia for sweetness and additional health benefits. Some people are sensitive to stevia. Discontinue using if loose stool develops.

 

Note: Green tea may irritate your bladder if you live with Interstitial Cystitis (bladder pain). I know several reports are saying otherwise. However, there are also reports saying green tea can make bladder symptoms worse due to caffeine content (about 3%). Try removing it from your diet to see if your symptoms improve, or try another brand. Additionally, when using honey in your tea, opt for raw honey or Manuka honey. Cheaper, mass-marketed honey may contain corn syrup or other toxins, which can irritate the bladder.

 

 

Specific Herbal Actions at a Glance

 

• Chamomile (anxiety, insomnia, muscle relaxer)
• Elder flowers or berries (antiviral)
• Garlic (antiviral, immune-boosting), but not if you suffer from IBS
• Feverfew (migraine headache)
• Ginger (antiviral)
• Holy basil (Tulsi, immune-boosting)
• Lavender (calms IBS and Crohn's) 
• Lemon (antiviral, pH balancing)
• Dandelion, nutmeg (fever)
• Peppermint (colds, flu, headache, and pain)
• Rosemary (cold, flu, headache, and pain)
• Rose petals (calming, immune-boosting)
• Rose h(immune-boosting)
• Sage (sore throat, oral health, menopause)
• Saint John's Wort (nerve damage, anxiety, depression, shingles, herpes)
• Turmeric (inflammation)
• Willow bark (fever and pain)
• Valerian or hawthorn (irregular heartbeat)
• Also, bee balm, also called horsemint (congestion, upper respiratory viruses, herpes), boneset (fever, pain, congestion), yarrow (fever, colds, stomach discomfort), and onions (fight inflammation), can help to relieve viral symptoms.

 

Note: Don't use onions if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Willow bark if you are sensitive to Aspirin or taking blood-thinning medication. 

 

 

Making Tea From Decoctions & Electuaries

 

An herbal decoction is prepared by extracting constituents from a plant's "harder" parts, such as bark, berries, roots, or seeds. Components are added to water, simmered, and cooked down. While I've provided some examples of infusing roots in water in the recipes above, decoctions are cooked for a more extended period (until most of the water has evaporated). What's left can range from clear soup to sludge. Mushrooms are also used to make decoctions. Once the decoction is made, it can be added to beverages and syrups or taken orally (1-2 tablespoons daily).

 

Electuaries are herbal pastes or homemade pills that can be added to tea or taken orally.

 

 

Sip Away Stress

 

Add any of the following to eight ounces of near-boiling water. Steep for 3-5 minutes, then sweeten with raw honey (after your brew has cooled slightly), and sip.

 

• One teaspoon of dried lavender buds and a slice of fresh orange
• The juice from half a lemon and one thin slice of fresh ginger
• One teaspoon of jasmine tea with a slice of orange
• A half teaspoon each of chamomile and lemon balm, and a small slice of ginger root
• A half teaspoon each of lemon balm and jasmine with a drop or two of real vanilla extract (or a vanilla bean)
• Mock Chai: In a pan, mix a large cup (8-10 ounces) with two teaspoons of black, chamomile, or green tea, 1/2 teaspoon each of real vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, and 1 or 2 cloves. Simmer for 5-8 minutes, strain, and drink. 

 

 

Types of Tea & Steeping Times

 

Before drinking a full cup of tea, always check for allergies, especially if you've never tried an herb before.

 

• Black tea: Steep for 3 to 5 minutes in full boiling water. Steeping the tea for too long may make it bitter and increase its caffeine content.

 

• Green tea: Steep for 1 to 2 minutes in water that is nearly boiling. It can become bitter if steeped too long. However, some green teas require cooler water and a longer steeping time.

 

• Herbal tea: Steep for 5-10 minutes or more in fully boiling water. Herbal teas don't typically become bitter at high temperatures. You can steep it for a longer time to achieve a more potent cup.

 

• Oolong tea (somewhere between a black and a green tea): Steep for 2 to 3 minutes in near-boiling water. It can be infused multiple times.

 

• Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented tea leaves. Steep for 5 minutes in full boiling water.

 

• Purple tea: Purple tea is a Black tea grown in India and Africa. Steep for 3 minutes in briskly steaming water. It can be infused multiple times without becoming bitter. 

 

• Rooibos tea: Caffeine-free. Steep for 5-10 minutes in full boiling water. It can be infused multiple times.

 

• White tea: Steep for 2-3 minutes in water that is briskly steaming. 

 

Again, see Herbal Adaptagens & Antivirals for basic precautions regarding specific herbs and spices.

 

 

To Make Cold Tea

 

There are two ways to make cold or iced tea.

 

1. Brew the tea the traditional way, as if you were going to drink it hot.
2. Chill it in the fridge (covered tightly) or add ice.