Gardening Tips & Tricks

Herbs Make Great Teas!

Herbs make a great addition to any garden and come in a variety of flowers and foliage. They add interest to the garden and look great in pots on the patio or potted on a sunny windowsill. Apart from looking good, herbs are used as medicines, for beauty products and of course are added to food to enhance the flavour of a meal. One way to truly enjoy the flavour and health benefits of freshly grown herbs is to make herbal teas.

Some common herbs that are easy to grow and make beautiful teas are lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint, chamomile and lemon balm. Chamomile is a popular choice for herb tea as it is easy to grow and is used for relaxation, to ease tension and to reduce the severity of headaches. If you like the refreshing taste of lemon, why not try lemon grass or lemon balm. The lemony taste provides a refreshing cool drink in summer or a soothing warm tea in winter. The ‘minty’ range of herbs stimulate digestion and give a revitalising lift to your day.

Herb teas are very easy to make using both dried and fresh leaves. The conventional way is to pour boiling water over either one teaspoon of dried leaves or two tablespoons of fresh leaves. Infuse the leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes. The time can vary according to personal taste so it is best to taste the tea to determine if it has brewed long enough. Strain the tea before drinking. If you like, you can add lemon, lime or honey to enhance the flavour of the tea. For a tasty summer drink, place the leafy part of the plant in boiling water to infuse the taste then place in the fridge. When using fresh herbs tear and bruise the leaves as this releases aromatic oils into the water and enhances the flavour. And be sure not to remove too many leaves at once as this can kill the plant. For frequently used herbs, grow more than one plant. And remember, drink herb teas freshly brewed as the teas do not keep well.

Making herb teas is really this simple. As you continue to learn more and more about herbs, you will discover how versatile they are and how great the positive effect is on well-being. Boyds Bay Garden World stocks a large variety of herbs that will suit every garden. So come on in and speak to one of our qualified staff that will assist you to choose the right herbs for your garden.

PLEASE NOTE: The information here should not be considered medical advice and you should always consult a doctor before beginning any herbal tea therapy.