Now that the cooler weather is upon us, I am sure many of you will start drinking more hot Herbal Teas. These medicinal infusions (teas) are a delicious and relaxing way to receive the healthy benefits from herbs. Discover how easy they are to brew, enjoy and learn about the many benefits these common, everyday herbs have to offer. 
Fresh plants or high quality dried herbs are the best ingredients for two different types of medicinal teas. The first is a MEDICINAL INFUSION that is made from the leaves and flowers, the soft parts of the herb. The second type of tea, a MEDICINAL DECOCTION, is made using the roots, stems or berries, the hard parts, of the herb. Medicinal teas are brewed with hot water and commonly drunk as a warm tea. However, the health benefits/ medicinal qualities are gained at any temperature, so give them a try at room temperature or iced in the summertime. In preparation, ALWAYS use stainless steel, glass or ceramic kettle/ pot. Copper and aluminum can negatively affect the quality of the herbs.
Here’s how you create a tea:
Creating a Medicinal Infusion:
- Use a tea kettle or large stainless pot to heat the water.
- In a separate teapot, measure and add your fresh herbs (2 teaspoons per cup water) and place in a teapot. If you are using dried herbs, use 1 teaspoon per cup of water.
- Pour the desired amount of water over the herbs, cover the teapot and let infuse, or steep, for at least 20 minutes.
- If you do not have a teapot, place the desired amount of cold water in a pot. Add your measured herbs and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and infuse, covered, for at least 20 minutes
- Strain and enjoy!
Note: Many herbs can infuse longer, even overnight for a stronger medicinal tea.
Others, like Chamomile, may require a shorter infusion time according to taste and desired strength.
One of my favorite Herbal Teas is Nettles Tea. I brew Nettles several times a week either by itself or mixed with other herbs for variation and other nutritive and medicinal properties. Nettles is very high in manyvitamins and mineral and tastes GREAT!! I also love my EZ Relax Tea in the evening which helps to promote a good night’s rest.
Another favorite tea that is nearly always on my stove top is my High Energy Chai Tea. I drink this in the afternoon during my often occurring, 4pm slump. It provides me with energy, tastes wonderfully delicious, increases my metabolism, aids digestion and is high in anti-oxidants. What could be better!!
EZ Herbs makes several other healthy, delicious and beneficial herbal teas. Please take a look and try one sometime: http://www.ezherbs.net/herbal-products/teas/
Enjoy drinking herbal teas as a safe and easy way to effectively receive the many medicinal benefits of the plants. Imbibing an herbal tea a few times a day will provide you with a variety of vitamins and minerals while acting as a preventive for continued good health.
