The humble herb has hundreds of uses: medicinal cures for many different ailments, as natural beauty products, to make drinks infinitely more fragrant and, of course, as a key source of flavor in our food.

A truly healing cup of goodness can be found when brewing select herbs into tea. Drinking specific teas can improve everything from your gut health to your mood, and I’ve been experimenting with some life-changing concoctions of my very own…

 

Tea

 

Herbal teas can be a great substitute if you’re avoiding caffeine, and can be used as a digestive aid, to help sleeplessness and even weight loss. I’m going to share with you a few simple recipes for some of my favorite teas:

 

Peppermint iced tea

 

This is such a refreshing summer drink, I’m certain you’ll love it!

 

 

Ingredients:

30 fresh, slightly crushed peppermint leaves or 5 peppermint tea bags

¼ cup sugar

½ lemon, sliced

Handful of mint leaves for serving

 

Method:

Boil a quart of filtered water with your 30 peppermint leaves or 5 peppermint tea bags. Allow to steep for 10 minutes and for the water to cool slightly.

Pour the brewed tea into a serving pitcher.

Add sugar and lemon slices, and swirl in the remaining mint leaves.

Continue stirring gently to dissolve the sugar.

When sugar is dissolved, add 2 cups cold filtered water to fill and to taste.

 

Green energy tea

 

 

Green tea has long been said to have a wide range of health benefits and it has more antioxidants and flavonoids than ordinary black tea. This energy booster can be a real pick-me-up drink when you reach that afternoon slump and need reviving!

 

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon loose green tea leaves

1 teaspoon rosemary

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Honey (optional)

 

Method:

Add green tea leaves, rosemary and nutmeg to 8 ounces filtered, boiled and slightly cooled water in a teapot, infuser or large mug.

Steep for 5 minutes or to taste.

Add honey to sweeten if liked.

 

Dandelion tea

 

I’m including my Dandelion tea recipe here because it is an amazing all-natural tonic that helps to detoxify the entire body.  It supports liver and kidney function, as well as aiding digestion. It’s also a natural diuretic, so it’s perfect for helping you to recover from over-indulgence and its bloating effects.

 

 

While you can use freshly picked dandelions, I recommend buying pre-picked and dried dandelion leaves – available at health-food stores such as Whole Foods – which can be brewed just like a traditional herbal tea in muslin bags. I love making a big pot of this and keeping it in a jug in the fridge for sipping throughout the week.

 

Ingredients:

4 bags dandelion tea

Juice of 3 lemons

¼ cup cranberry juice

2–3 tbsp honey

 

Method:

Bring 2 cups of water to the boil.

Add the dandelion teabags and allow to brew. The longer you brew the tea, the more powerful it is.

While the water is warm, melt in the honey.

Add the lemon juice, cranberry juice and additional water to taste.

Stir to combine. Enjoy this tea warm or chilled.

 

Are you trying one of my herbal teas, or have a recipe of your own to share? Tag me into it on Instagram!