Herbal Teas

Like "true" teas from the tea bush Camellia sinesis, herbal teas enjoy great popularity.

They are often referred to as tisanes, meaning aromatic or herb-flavored teas. Herbal teas (or tisanes) are not from the Camellia sinesis.

These infusions are made from fresh or dried flowers, fruit, herbs, bark, leaves, seeds, or roots. The ingredients for tisanes are remarkably endless and might include:

• Apple pieces or Orange peels
• Cinnamon bark, Ginger root, Cloves, or Cardamom
• Calendula flowers, Lavender flowers, or Rose petals
• Lemongrass
• Sage leaf or Fennel seed
• St. John’s Wort or Echinacea
• Peppermint, Spearmint, or Sassafras
• Saw Pametto or Oatstraw
• Gingko or Gotu Kola leaf
• And the list goes on and on …

Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free so they are great for those who can’t tolerate the effects of caffeine or are simply looking for a calming beverage. Others believe in the purported medicinal qualities of herbal tisanes. Still others enjoy them for their flavors.

And speaking of flavors, whatever the reason for drinking tisanes, there are innumerable varieties to choose from. Some familiar and not so familiar choices might include :

Chrysanthemum tea – made from the dried yellow, or sometimes white, flowers of the chrysanthemum, the infusion is light to bright yellow. It is often served with the light Chinese meal called Dim sum. The Chinese have also used this tea to prevent sore throats and reduce fevers.

Greek Mountain Tea - Described as having a woodsy-lemony aroma, and good with honey, this tisane is made from the plant Sideritis Syriaca. Native to Greece, it has been used for nearly 2000 years in fighting colds and maintaining respiratory health. You can find more information on Greek Mountain Tea and even purchase it at Cooking.com.

Jiaogulan - Also known as Southern ginseng, this plant is found in southern China and used as an herbal medicine. In the province of Guizhou, it has been reported that the people drink Jiaogulan regularly and live to a very old age. Thus it has been dubbed by the locals as the immortality herb. Those in Japan use it as a sweetener and believe it increases your body’s resistance to stress.

Rooibos - The Afrikaans name for "red bush", this plant is grown exclusively in South Africa. With a beautiful red color and mild flavor, Rooibos has grown in popularity as a beverage on its own and as an ingredient in herbal tisane blends.

You’ll also find names such as Lemon Wintergreen and Ginseng Peppermint from The Republic of Tea. Lemon Ginger, Peach DeTox, or Woman’s Raspberry Leaf from Yogi Tea. And from Adagio you can find Berry Blues, Blood Orange, and Mango Melange.

"Herbal tea, along with hot chocolate, was the favorite drink of Agatha Christie’s sleuth, Hercule Poirot. In numerous stories, Poirot brews a tisane in order to recover from wet weather or to soothe his 'little grey cells.'" (source: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisane)

If using dried herbs – use 1-2 teaspoons per one cup of water
If using fresh herbs – use 1-2 tablespoons per one cup of water

1. Use a non-metallic container.
2. Pour just boiling water over herbs (as you would "true" tea) and allow to steep for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Cover the container, allowing no steam to escape.

If you plan to make your own herbal tisane, take great care in plant selection as some plants can be poisonous if ingested. Certain herbs may be dangerous to diabetics or pregnant women. See this report from the Food and Drug Administration. Although the document is no longer maintained and may contain some out-of-date information, it is best to be aware of potential problems. Protect yourself by becoming informed on herbs you may select for brewing.

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