If you live on the West Coast, July and August are the perfect months to air-dry summer flowers and herbs, to create herbal teas. Quick Tips: Harvest in the morning once the dew has disappeared, or pick in the evening before the dew sets in. A dehydrator is ideal, but if you don’t have one, hang stems upside down in a dry location with good airflow. (Use a fan if you need to.) Once dried, remove the flowers and herbs from the stems and store them in individual containers to create personalized DIY herbal blends. What a delight it is to steep and sip a cup of your own herbal tea, especially once the chill of winter sets in. Recipe follows…
DIY Herbal Tea Blend Recipe
DIY Herbal Tea Blend RecipeUPDATED JULY 28TH, 2024
It’s so ultra-satisfying to sip on a cup of home-grown herbal tea throughout the winter. Take it a step further and use your collection to create infused oils and vinegar, or flavoured salts and sugars. They make welcomed gifts and excellent kitchen companions. Here’s an easy recipe to create your own herbal tea infusions. The fun part? No two recipes will be the same!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 – parts flower petals – rose, calendula, sunflower, chamomile (or mix)
• Scant ¼ -part lavender florets, if using
• 1 – part citrus – lemon balm or lemon verbena (or mix)
• 1 – part herbs – mint, rosemary, sage or thyme (or mix)
Use some, all, or none of the following additions:
• ½ – part rose hips or fennel seeds
• ½ – part bay leaf, lemon myrtle, nettle or dandelion leaf
• ½ – part spices, cinnamon or ginger pieces
INSTRUCTIONS
• Blend and store in an air tight container in a cool, dry spot
• Use 1 – 2 heaped teaspoons for every 1 – cup for freshly boiled pure water
• Steep 5-10 minutes or until desired strength is achieved
• Enjoy steamy hot or see tips below
TIPS
• The longer herbal tea is steeped, the more nutrient dense it will become
• FOR ICED INFUSIONS: Chill and serve over ice, garnished with fresh flowers or herb sprig
• Include fennel or mint to help with digestion
• Include sage or rosemary to ward off colds
• For bedtime recipes include chamomile and lavender
• For more tips and ideas visit Herbal Infusions or Flower Infusions
NOTE: As with all herbs, leaves, roots and flowers, allergies and side effects are possible. Know your allergens and always check with your health care provider before consuming flowers for medicinal purposes.
