Herbal Infusions How To -- not the same as Tea

My husband and I love to have "Tea time." We like them with a hard biscuit or cookie--like our scones.
And yes, I was a typical girl who loved "tea time" when I was little too. I have them with my kids now and still have my very own little china tea set (real china), from when I was 8--that I hope to pass down to my daughter. (Of course, I did spend my earliest years in England, so maybe that helped get what Tea time is and is not into me...who knows.)

So yes, I drink some teas, but only herbal teas (infusions). I don't drink typical "tea." And here is the difference....

A herbal tea is a herbal or plant infusion, not from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis-- which is what other tea is made from and contains theanine and the stimulant caffeine).

Typically, herbal tea is simply the combination of boiling water and dried fruits, flowers or herbs. Herbal teas are often consumed for their physical or medicinal effects, especially for their stimulant, relaxant or sedative properties.

Here are some common helpful brews:
ginger, honey and lemon - for sore throats
dill, fennel, or peppermint - for digestive/upset stomach issues
echinacea - for cold and flu symptoms

Check out this cool herbal tea reference guide to find out which teas you can use and make for your home health needs.

Standard Infusion: 

1. Add 1oz (25g) of dried herbs (2oz if fresh) to 1 pint of (600ml) of boiling water, or 1 teaspoon per cup. 

2. Place the herbs in a warm pot and add boiling water. Leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes according to taste. 

*This will keep fresh for up to two days in the fridge.

Why not buy some herb plants you know you can use? Try your own concoctions (if pregnant, please read about which herbs not to use).

Here is a list of some health problems and typical herbs that can help:

Allergies echinacea, chamomile  

Asthma anise, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, echinacea, lemon thyme, turmeric

Bloating anise, caraway, chamomile, fennel, lavender, marjoram, mint, nutmeg, peppermint

Breast milk, stimulating production caraway, alfalfa, stinging nettle  

Breath sweetener anise, caraway, cardamom, parsley, mint

Chills echinacea, ginger, alfalfa

Colds echinacea, ginger, lemon thyme, marjoram, rose hip, sage

Congestion ginger, alfalfa, sage

Coughs anise, clover, ginger, lemon thyme, marjoram, rose hip

Cramps lemon grass, mint, peppermint

Decongestant echinacea

Detoxifier basil, calendula, celery, echinacea

Diarrhea nutmeg, raspberry, rose hip, strawberry

Digestive - assisting anise, calendula, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, lemon grass, lemon verbena, mint, nutmeg, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, turmeric

Digestive - problems  mint, peppermint, strawberry

Expectorant anise, fennel, lemon thyme, lemon verbena

Fever catmint, ginger, lemon grass

Flatulence caraway, cardamom, catmint, lemon grass, marjoram, mint, peppermint

Flu echinacea, ginger, lemon, sage

Gripe anise, cardamom, caraway

Headaches catmint, ginger

Heartburn anise, caraway, fennel, lemon grass, mint, nutmeg, peppermint

Immune system boost echinacea, lemon thyme, sage

Indigestion catmint, chamomile, ginger, lemon thyme

Morning sickness chamomile, fennel, lemon

Motion sickness basil 

Nasal congestion cloves

Nausea anise, catmint, ginger, mint, nutmeg, turmeric

Pain relief chamomile, cloves

Relaxation chamomile, lavender

Sore throat fennel, lemon, lemon thyme, raspberry sage

Stimulant cloves, rosemary

Stomach aches fennel, ginger

Stomach - upset caraway, catmint

Stress basil, lavender 

Tired eyes chamomile 

Toothache cloves