Creating Your Own Herbal Tea Blends
Creating your own herbal tea blends is a delightful way to personalize your tea-drinking experience and to work with the gentle power of plants.
Begin by asking yourself: what kind of tea do I want, and how do I want it to make me feel?
Drinking tea isn’t just about enjoying a warm or cold beverage. It’s about how you want it to look, smell, and taste — and why you are drinking it today.
What are you asking the flowers, seeds, or plants to do for you?
Are you seeking help with an upset stomach, a dry or irritated throat, or immune support?
Do you want to relax, focus, calm your nervous system, or drift into restful sleep?
Perhaps that cup of tea will accompany you while you read a book, sit quietly in the park, or watch the fire dance in the hearth. How can the plants support you in that moment? It’s a question they ask us every day.
Start by clearly identifying what you want from that cup of tea. Maybe it’s simply a comforting companion while you sit by the window and watch the weather move across the sky. Once you know what you’re asking for, choosing the right plants becomes much easier. Who are you inviting to join you in your cup?
Choosing Your Herbs
When selecting herbs for tea, quality matters. If you’re buying loose-leaf herbs, choose a reputable seller. Local tea shops are often wonderful resources — they can usually tell you where the herbs were sourced and how long they’ve been on the shelf. Freshness is important; the older the herbs, the less vibrant and effective they tend to be.
Of course, some of the best herbs come straight from your own garden. When you grow them yourself, you know exactly how they were tended, and chances are they are either fresh or recently dried.
Time of year, time of day, and even the person you are preparing tea for can all influence which plants you choose.
A Simple Relaxing Tea Blend
Without diving into a full herbal course (which could take weeks), let’s imagine you want a tea to enjoy while reading a good book — something pleasant, soothing, and grounding.
For a relaxing blend, choose herbs that gently support the nervous system:
Lemon Balm – Lightly lemony and uplifting, lemon balm is a nervine that helps calm and relax.
Holy Basil (Tulsi) – Aromatic and easy to grow alongside culinary basil, holy basil is considered an adaptogen and traditionally supports blood sugar balance.
Oat Straw – A nourishing base herb that supports an over-stressed nervous system.
Suggested Blend:
Add the loose herbs to a French press or tea basket. Pour hot water over the blend and let it steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain, pour, and enjoy.
Storing & Brewing
Store your finished tea blend in an airtight container, away from heat and direct light. When brewing, use about 2 teaspoons of herbal blend per cup of hot water, steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain.
With a little creativity and experimentation, you can create herbal tea blends that are not only delicious, but deeply supportive — perfectly matched to your needs and the rhythm of your day.
