Make & produce herbal tea yourself

Herbal teas are excellent as everyday drinks and consist only of natural ingredients. This soothing hot drink is easy to make yourself and can be sweetened to taste. Regular consumption of herbal teas has a positive effect on health and well-being. Many medicinal herbs grow wild and can be easily collected, after which they are dried before consumption.

collect medicinal herbs

Rainy days should be avoided when collecting so that the shoots are full of vigor and not too wet. Then the herbs are dry and mold can be prevented. The location of the medicinal plants is very important, car-free places are ideal to avoid contamination. In addition, dogs should not circulate in this area and leave their businesses behind. The plants should not show any brown spots or wilting signs, these reduce the effect and taste of the herbal tea. Due to the high risk of confusion with poisonous plants, the medicinal herbs should be well known. Prior information is therefore absolutely necessary.

• Generally collect during sunny weather conditions
• Forage for herbs between late morning and early afternoon
• Prefer remote collection points
• Collect only healthy plants
• Inform which parts of the plant can be used
• Look for the right period, pay attention to flowering times

Popular plants for herbal tea

There are many plants and herbs you can use to make a healthy tea.

birch

The leaves of the birch wash away harmful impurities from the body and especially cleanse the kidneys. These provide beneficial relief for persistent kidney problems and can even dissolve stubborn kidney stones if consumed regularly over a longer period of time. In addition, birch leaves are very healing for skin diseases, constant consumption ensures a more beautiful complexion. In addition, these medicinal herbs improve overall well-being. Harvesting should take place in spring when the leaves are still very young. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the tree unnecessarily.

• Leaves contain tannins, flavonoids and lots of vitamin C
• Also compounds of salicylic acid
• Slightly bitter taste
• Carefully remove young and somewhat sticky leaves from the branches
• Then dry sufficiently

nettle

A tea made from stinging nettles has strong detoxifying properties and drains in a gentle way. The leaves required for this herbal tea should preferably be collected in spring, as the plant grows wild almost everywhere. Nettle tea convinces with an intensive herbaceous taste and a slightly sweet note, which is why it can be drunk without any additional sugar. The medicinal herbs mix well with other detoxifying ingredients, resulting in a suitable drink for periods of fasting.

• Collect the still young plants from April to June
• Be sure to wear gloves when picking
• Then let it dry completely
• Stimulates the removal of toxins in the body
• High mineral content
• Mix in equal parts birch and dandelion
• Well suited for fasting cures in spring and autumn

elderflower

Elderberry has proven itself in use against colds. The flowers are white with a touch of pink. The healing effect is very diverse, but this herbal tea should not be overdosed, otherwise nausea may occur.

• Collect elderflowers between May and July
• Then let it dry sufficiently
• Stimulate the metabolism and circulation
• Have a mood-enhancing effect and reduce fever
• Mild floral taste

Johannis herbs

St. John's wort flowers between June and August and grows wherever the soil is particularly dry and stony. The medicinal herb should ideally be collected when no more flowers are growing on the stems. Otherwise, the St. John's wort can be used completely for the tea. Its properties include a mood-enhancing effect, which is why the herb is used for nervousness. With regular consumption, sleep problems can also be brought under control.

• Cut as close to the ground as possible
• Intensely bitter taste
• Helps with depressive mood swings
• Alleviates persistent states of restlessness

chamomile

Chamomile is probably the best-known plant among medicinal herbs and fits into many blends of home-made tea. The plant flowers from spring to late autumn, it is widespread and easily recognized by the flowers and the characteristic scent. In medicine, chamomile is used to disinfect wounds and for complaints in the gastrointestinal tract and for inner restlessness.

• Versatile and popular medicinal herb
• Has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects
• Slightly bitter taste with an intense aroma

dandelion

The dandelion also grows wild in the local forests and meadows and is therefore very easy to find. The plant is easy to spot due to the bright yellow flowers and jagged leaves. Dandelion also has detoxifying properties and stimulates organ activity, especially the liver. In addition, this medicinal herb has an energy-stimulating effect, which is why it is very suitable as a substitute for coffee. In addition, this provides healing relief from arthrosis, joint problems and various chronic inflammations in the body.

• The leaves and/or roots are required for the tea
• Dry before consumption
• Bitter taste, pay attention to the correct dosage

lemon balm

The leaves of the lemon balm taste particularly good just before flowering, the medicinal herb is a delicious ingredient for every herbal tea mixture. The ideal time for collecting is before June, when the flowers start to bloom afterwards, the aroma gets a strong bitter note. Lemon balm is also known for its calming effects.

• Collect leaves in spring
• Very fresh taste, mix of mint and lemon
• Sustainably stimulates the appetite
• Relieves uncomfortable flatulence and cramps

mint

Another classic and indispensable in the production of herbal teas is mint. The flowering period of the plant lasts from June to August, the leaves are particularly aromatic in the weeks and months before this flowering phase. Contrary to widespread popular belief, the leaves can still be consumed without any problems during the flowering period. The healing properties of this medicinal herb are based on the essential oils it contains.

• Pick and dry the leaves, do not use the flowers
• Fresh mint flavor
• Cooling and antibacterial mode of action
• Helps against respiratory problems and flatulence

marigold

The marigold is also known as calendula and forms distinctive flowers in yellow to orange tones. This also gives the herbal tea a nice touch. Between July and October, the marigold blooms in the local gardens and on the wild meadows. The flowers are closed at night, so they should only be collected later in the morning.

• Helps with skin diseases and liver diseases
• Soothes the gastrointestinal tract
• Promotes wound healing
• Only very weakly pronounced taste
• It is therefore well suited in a mixture with strongly aromatic herbs

sage

A tea made from fresh sage leaves helps with severe nausea. The plant can be recognized by the velvety leaf surface and the long leaf shapes. It also gives off a very special scent. The medicinal herb should be harvested between May and the end of August, when it has a very intense aroma. The strong taste takes some getting used to at first and is sometimes even perceived as unpleasant. But the healing properties make up for it.

• Harvest leaves during the growing season
• Antibacterial and sweat-inducing effect
• Strong herbaceous and bitter taste

yarrow

Yarrow is also known as a healing herb and grows almost everywhere. The plant has its high season in July and forms many small, white flowers. Yarrow is very hardy, with resilient qualities that contrast with the delicate flowers. Women in particular swear by the healing effects of menstrual and menopause symptoms.

• Antispasmodic and strengthening mode of action
• Sustainably stimulates wound healing
• Has a balancing effect on disorders of the female reproductive organs
• Medicinal herbs are rich in tannins, blue oil, inulin, potassium and sulphur
• Mild and floral flavor that is relatively neutral

thyme

Thyme is mainly used for colds, as it relieves coughs and sore throats. The medicinal plant strengthens the respiratory tract when consumed regularly. However, thyme is very sensitive to frost, which is why it rarely occurs wild in nature in the local latitudes. However, this plant can be grown in a sheltered spot in the garden, it prefers warm site conditions with sandy soil qualities.

• Evergreen plant
• Leaves can be harvested all year round
• Disinfectant and antispasmodic mode of action
• Strong and refreshing taste

Mix herbal tea

The herbs can be combined into a herbal tea as you wish and depending on the respective mode of action. The mixing ratio can be adapted to your own taste preferences, as well as to health problems.

• Always dry herbs sufficiently before use
• Mixtures for detoxification, falling asleep and for calming possible
• Pour 1 liter of boiling water over two to four teaspoons of the herbs
• Cover and let steep for about 10 minutes

Learn more about tea