DIY herbal tea

OskarDoLittle

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Apologies if there's already a thread for this...
I'm wondering if anyone makes their own herbal teas? I've been growing a few herbs I think should make good tea (mints, chamomile, lemon balm, lemon grass etc) and hopefully this year some of them will be abundant enough to dry and make teas.
Most online recipes call for purchased black/green/rooibos tea...which I guess with things like orange tea, you'd need some sort of leafy material.

These are some ideas I had...if you've got some experience or just reckon there's a good combination to try, feel free to add...

- orange tea...I thought dried/candied orange,vanilla bean and maybe cinnamon - would probably need rooibos added?
- lemon/lime tea...(or perhaps one of each) kafir lime, dried lemon/lime, lemon balm, lemon grass...maybe a black tea?
- peppermint/spearmint...I'm guessing just a bunch of different dried mint...wonder if chocolate mint would still taste chocolatey?
- ginger...love it in food, not a fan in tea!

I'm not currently growing, but think I'll add a lavender and some corn flowers. Can't see myself growing my own tea plants though!
 

Mark

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Great idea for a thread!

How about rosella tea? I've steeped the dried calyx for a cold drink but haven't tried warm tea yet - it should be good!

Ginger (with a little raw sugar) makes a nice tea...
 

OskarDoLittle

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Great idea for a thread!

How about rosella tea? I've steeped the dried calyx for a cold drink but haven't tried warm tea yet - it should be good!

Ginger (with a little raw sugar) makes a nice tea...
Mmmm rosellas...also go great in the bottom of your champagne! Would make a very pretty tea I imagine...I missed last year's season and was too late to put any in. Must be coming up again soon?
 

LoveInNature

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A lot of people forget about the leaves on citrus trees Mary. My favourite citrus leaves are Kaffir lime.

Another one which is also not well known is a Peppermint Geranium. I have never been a fan of the geranium smell, however, the peppermint geranium is stunning. The plant is absolutely gorgeous, and if you are like me and enjoy those tactile moments with your plants, it feels wonderful and soft like Lambs Ears.

You line the base of your baking tin with Peppermint Geranium Leaves and pour on the batter for your chocolate cake. The Peppermint infuses the cake mix and is delicious.

Oops I got sidetracked. Tea. I do not know if this could make nice tea and when I find another plant supplier I will try it out. It is a very difficult plant to track down yet makes a wonderful addition to your garden.
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Image borrowed from https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...hVHzbwKHdxeACsQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=mtuAOhOGYw5raM:
 

Mary Playford

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I have tried the dandelion tea and that's nice. One day I will try the fresh dandelion roots, ...one day LOL

Recently a garden friend did a video on home grown fruit tea and mint. I really like that.
 

Mary Playford

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Perhaps you could add a link to your friends video Mary

He is Stephen Legaree on Youtube. I think Mark would prefer links to our blogs and blah instead of other people. Some might abuse the privilege and clutter the forum. I don't really know for sure.

YTube is great to look up tea or herbal tea ideas too, and a lot of Off The Grid dwellers or Preppers are into home made stuff. Pretty clever really.
 

LoveInNature

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Thanks Mary. Sometimes I just get a little enthusiastic and forget to follow protocols. Good point. Thanks for the info!
 

Mary Playford

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Peppermint Geranium
I have never thought of this one. At one time in my life, I had geraniums coming out of my ears LOL. I had them growing in areas where the soil is not good yet this plant don't mind. They are also lovely for their colour whether it is just the foliage or the flowers.

To think of drinking them for tea, ummmm not sure about that. I will never say never but....LOL
 

LoveInNature

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As an aromatherapist it took me a while to accept Rose Geranium as a pleasant smell. In the end it really came down to where the oil was produced and whether it was first pass.

I would not venture to brew the common variety. The peppermint is almost like a totally different family. It is soft and furry and smells nothing like the other geraniums. It has this delicate white flower which is the size of a large flying ant.

The other tea a brew at times is from Fenugreek seeds. Definitely not to be consumed whilst pregnant. It is also one of those teas that taste great hot or cold.
 

Mark

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He is Stephen Legaree on Youtube. I think Mark would prefer links to our blogs and blah instead of other people.
Mary, feel free to share whatever information and links you like - that's totally fine. I know other forums are particular about links to other blogs etc, but as long as the links are related to our content and values there's no problem on SSC as far as I'm concerned. If you would like to promote a YouTuber you like then go for it. :)
 
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