An Herbal Tea Preparation Guide

Looking to use herbs to boost your health? There are many kinds of herbs to use, and preparations for each vary depending on whether the herb is a root, bark, leaf, or flower. This basic tea preparation guide will help you get the most benefit out of the herbs you use.

Roots

Roots are hearty and time is needed to extract the medicinal properties when making teas. 

• Step 1. Place 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of root in a saucepan with 3-4 cups of boiling water.
• Step 2. Simmer on low for 1-3 hours to draw out the root’s medical properties.
• Optional: remove from heat and let sit overnight to draw out the bark’s medicinal properties. May reheat to drink. 
• Step 3. Let cool to drinkable temperature, and drink. Add honey if desired. 

Bark

Barks are also hearty but need less time to prepare than roots. 

• Step 1. Place 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of bark in a saucepan with 3-4 cups of boiling water.
• Step 2. Simmer on low for 1-2 hours to draw out the bark’s medical properties.
• Optional: remove from heat and let sit overnight to draw out the bark’s medicinal properties. May reheat to drink. 
• Step 3. Let cool to drinkable temperature, and drink. Add honey if desired. 

Leaves

Some leaves, like neem, are hardier and can be prepared using boiling water. Others, like those in the mint family, are more delicate and should not be boiled. Peppermint leaf (both dried and fresh) contain essential oils which can become an irritant in the body when boiled. Simmering water effectively draws out the medicinal value of leaves.

• Step 1. Place 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of leaf in a saucepan with 3-4 cups of simmering water. 
• Step 2. Let sit for 1-3 hours, or overnight to draw out the leave’s medical properties.
• Step 3. Let cool to drinkable temperature, and drink. Add honey if desired. 

Flowers 

Flowers are very delicate and should never be placed in boiling water. 

• Step 1. Place 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of flowers in a saucepan with 3-4 cups of gently simmering water. 
• Step 2. Remove from heat. Let sit for 1-3 hours, or overnight to draw out the flower’s medical properties.
• Step 3. Let cool to drinkable temperature, and drink. Add honey if desired. Flowers generally have a sweetness to them and often do not need sweetener added. 

Berries

Berries such as Hawthorn Berry and Elderberry are valuable additions to herbal formulas. These berries, when dried, preserve much of the medicinal value and can be used in teas, tinctures, and in capsule form. When preparing as a tea, dried berries can be prepared the same way as roots, bark, and leaves.