Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea is an aromatic, comforting drink made by preparing a decoction of herbs, spices and with or without tea powder & milk. Benefits of Herbal Tea are numerous as it is very healthy and a good alternate to the regular dust tea & caffeinated drinks. Herbal Tea Recipe is presented in this post with video and step by step pictures.

Herbal Tea is a preferred choice of drink to beat the cold of the winter and could be made with the ingredients available at home if you home grow tulsi or mint or omam or all of them. This Tea breaks us from the routine and rejuvenates the body.

About Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea is a natural brew of herbs, spices with a choice of tea powder, milk / hot water. This Tea can be made with an individual herb or a mix of herbs and spices. Tulsi (holy basil), Ajwain (Omam), Hibiscus, Chamomile, Mint, Eucalyptus are the commonly used herbs for making herbal tea. Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, pepper, cloves are the commonly used spices in the making of herbal tea.

Herbal Tea is worth the effort and time for its goodness. It is any time drink suitable for all ages – from kids to aged.

More Beverage Recipes

Benefits of Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea is a conscious choice of drink for those who want to be healthy as it is freshly made every time with the goodness of different herbs & spices.

• Home Remedy for cold, cough and fever
• Relieves breathing congestion
• Keeps Young as it has anti-ageing properties
• Detoxes the body
• Helps in digestion
• Reduces inflammation
• Boosts the immune with anti-oxidant properties and
• Promotes weight loss

Herbal Tea 2 ways

• Without Milk – A decoction is made using crushed herbs and spices, then strained and served. This is best to be had during cold and cough.
• With Milk – A decoction made with crushed herbs, spices and tea powder then milk is added and simmer. Finally strained and served. This can be had as a everyday tea.

Ingredients

• Herbs:  This Tea can be made with an individual herb or a mix of herbs and spices. Tulsi (holy basil), Ajwain (Omam), Hibiscus, Chamomile, Mint, Eucalyptus are the commonly used herbs for making herbal tea. 
• Spices: Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, pepper, cloves are the commonly used spices in the making. Add your preferred choice of herb & spice to suit your taste, needs and availability.
• Tea Powder: Adding Tea Powder is optional – Regular store bought Tea Dust / Tea powder or tea leaves can be used for this recipe.
• Milk: Adding Milk is optional – Regular toned / skimmed / full cream milk can be used for making this tea – Classical Version.

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📖 Recipe Card

Herbal Tea Step by Step

Herbal Tea without milk

1.To a mortar and pestle 1 inch ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ajwain, 6 nos mint leaves, 6 nos tulsi leaves.

2.Crush it well, transfer to a bowl and set aside.

3.Boil 2 cups water in a sauce pan.

4.Once it starts to boil add the crushed mixture. Mix it well.

5.Boil until water reduces to almost half its volume. Switch off.

6.Remove from flame, keep it covered for few seconds so that the flavours nicely seep in the tea.

7.Then pour to a strainer and strain. Discard the remains.

8.Now add squeeze lemon juice from 1/2 lemon.

9.Add honey as per taste.

10.Mix it well.

11.Pour into serving cup and serve hot!

Herbal Tea with milk

Herbal Tea is an soothing, comforting drink made by preparing a decoction of herbs along with tea powder rgen simmered with milk, finally strained and served.

Native Version & Classic Version

I have presented 2 common methods of making Herbal Tea in this post – native version of brewing one or more herbs & spices with hot water and a classic version of brewing herbs & spices with tea powder and milk. Native Version of herbal tea is recommended at times of cold, indigestion, laziness and congestion while Classic Version is recommended as general drink replacing the regular tea.

Herbal Tea(with milk) Step by Step

1.To a mortar and pestle add 1/2 inch cinnamon, 1 inch ginger, 1 no cardamom, 4 nos mint leaves, 4 nos tulsi leaves.

2.Crush it well, transfer to a bowl and Set aside.

3.Give a quick mix. Let it boil.

4.Boil until it reduces to almost half of its volume.

5.Add 1 teaspoon tea powder.

6.Let it boil for few seconds. Simmer.

7.Now add 1 cup milk.

8.Give a quick mix.

9.Let it come to a rolling boil.

10.Give a quick mix.

11.Simmer for a minute. Switch off.

12.Strain using a metal fine holed strainer.

13.Herbal tea with milk is ready.

14.Add 2 teaspoon sugar. I have used cane sugar you can use regular white sugar too.

15.Give a quick mix.

16.Pour into serving cup and serve hot!

Expert Tips

• Use freshly crushed herbs & spices for best flavour.
• Add milk only after the tea decoction is boiled well.
• I have added 1:1 water:milk ratio for classic version, however, feel free to adjust according to your preference.
• Use metal fine holed strainer.
• I have used cane sugar you can use regular white sugar too.

Variations

Apart from the variations of usage of different herbs, spices, tea powder and milk you can attempt following variations

• Add cane sugar / honey as a replacement for sugar
• Add lime juice extract if you are preparing native version (Usage of lemon with milk, will curdle it, so do not add lemon if you are adding milk)
• Add almond milk or soya milk as a replacement to regular milk

Serving and Storage Suggestions

EnjoyHerbal Tea hot in the morning and evening authentically in a brassdabarah& tumbler set or in a transparent cup & saucer. Herbal Tea about 150 ml can be taken anytime of the day for a maximum of 3-4 times a day.

FAQs

1.What is Herbal Tea?

Herbal Tea is an aromatic, comforting drink made by preparing a decoction of herbs, spices and with or without tea powder & milk.

2.How do you make Herbal Tea?

• Grind the herbs and spices to a coarse mixture.
• Add tea powder if you prefer and boil the ground mixture with water.
• Add boiled milk if you prefer and boil for few more minutes.

3.Can I store the herbs & spice that is ground for later use?

Recommend to grind the mix fresh every time for effective use & aroma. However, if there is no choice, do not store beyond a day. There is an alternative way for storing that is by drying all the herbs & spices then grinding it to a coarse powder which will hold for a month.

4.I do not have tulsi or some of the spices – Can I still make Herbal Tea?

Yes- You can make herbal tea with one of the herbs or with the mix of herbs & spices. Make sure you add Tulsi if you are expecting a relief from cold, congestion and for immunity building, omam for digestion related concerns.

5.Can I drink herbal tea anytime and is it suitable for kids?

Yes – you can consume herbal tea anytime and it is suitable for all ages from kids to old age people.