How to Make Herbal Tea

How To Dry Leaves For Tea

To dry leaves from herbs or plants to make tea, you need the following materials:

• Fresh leaves or flowers
• Twine
• Metal rack
• Paper towels
• Airtight glass jars

Step 1: Gather Leaves And Flowers

Plants are ready for harvesting shortly after the flower buds. If the plant is an herb without flowers, harvest just as the leaves begin to droop. The best time to harvest is in the morning right after the dew has dried. If you are harvesting plants in the middle of their growing season, carefully clip the flowers at their base or remove stems with gardening shears.
Do not tear or pluck the leaves or flowers. This may prevent the plant or herb from producing more leaves. If you are harvesting herb leaves, cut the entire stalk or stem from which the leaves are growing.

Step 2: Clean The Leaves

Brush any dirt or bugs off the leaves with your hands or a towel. Do not rinse the leaves with water. Cleaning the leaves with water will greatly extend the drying time of the leaves and may lead to mold growth. If the leaves have a lot of dirt, gently shake them. Be careful not to tear, crack, or break the leaves.

Step 3: Dry The Leaves

Properly drying the leaves will preserve the oils in the leaves and increase their potency and flavor. Keep the leaves attached to the plant stem for the entire drying process. There are two methods to dry the leaves. Bundle the tea leaves in small groups with twine. Hang each bundle upside down in direct sunlight. This method will take 7 to 9 days for the leaves to dry.
If you are unable to hang the leaves, lay them out flat on a thin wire or mesh rack that is covered in paper towels. The holes in the rack improve airflow and will help dry the leaves faster. This method takes 4-8 days for the leaves to dry. Keep the racks of leaves in a cool, dry place.
Leaf drying time is directly related to the humidity levels in the air. If you live in a humid climate, you may need to use an oven to fully dry the tea leaves.
Place the leaves on a rack and put them in an oven on very low heat for 8 to 10 hours. Keep the oven door cracked open for airflow. Drying the tea leaves in the oven will cause some of the oils to evaporate, leaving you with a less flavorful and less potent tea.

Step 4: Store The Leaves

Once the leaves are completely dry, remove the leaves from the stems of the plant. Put the leaves in airtight containers.
Glass mason jars are an excellent choice. Store the containers of tea leaves in a cool, dark area.

---

Co-authored by Julie Brow-Polanco Last Updated: November 16, 2022 References

Whether you are suffering from indigestion, sleeplessness, or a sore throat, herbal tea offers a natural way to seek comfort and relief. In addition to its medicinal quality, drinking a cup of aromatic herbal tea can also be a great way to relax after a hectic day. With a few quick tips about herbal teas uses and their preparation, you'll be on your way to making the perfect cup of soothing herbal tea!

Combine ginseng and ginkgo biloba for a boost of energy. Mix together 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of dried ginseng with 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of dried ginkgo biloba to make 1 US quart (0.95 L) of tea. Both popular Chinese herbs, a blend of ginseng and ginkgo biloba will encourage energy and alertness.[1]

Create a relaxing blend with chamomile, lemongrass, and rose petals. Mix together 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of dried chamomile leaves, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of dried lemongrass, and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of dried rose petals in a bowl to make 1 US quart (0.95 L) of tea. Adjust the measurements as necessary to make a smaller or larger batch. Just make sure to keep the ratios the same.[2] Chamomile is known for its relaxing properties. You can also consider adding lavender or rosemary to your blend, as they also have calming effects. You can use fresh chamomile leaves instead. Just chop them up beforehand to increase their surface area.

Make a mint and ginger tea to soothe an upset stomach. Mix together 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of dried mint leaves, ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) of fennel seeds, and a pinch of dried ginger in a bowl to make 1 cup (240 mL) of tea. You can easily adjust the measurements to make a larger batch of tea by multiplying the quantity of each ingredient by the number of cups you would like to make.[3]

Peppermint, ginger, calendula, and catnip are great options for your tea blend if you are seeking relief from indigestion or gas. You can also create a mint tea with fresh leaves plucked directly from the stem. Just keep in mind that you will need a larger quantity of mint when using fresh leaves rather than dried ones. You will need roughly 3 to 4 cups (600 to 700 grams) of fresh mint leaves to make 1 US quart (0.95 L) of tea. You can use freshly grated or dried ginger in your tea.

Create a licorice root blend to heal a sore throat and cough. Mix together 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of licorice root, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of valerian root, and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of dried marshmallow leaf in a bowl to create a blend that is perfect for cold sufferers. Around 8 tablespoons (120 grams) of leaves will make 1 US quart (0.95 L) of tea.[4] Consider adding red clover, yarrow, or thyme to your blend for their throat-soothing properties.

Bring a pot or kettle of water to a boil. Fill a pot or kettle full of water and place it on the stove. Turn the heat on high to encourage quicker boiling. It is best not to worry about the exact quantity of the water at this stage, as you will lose water to evaporation as it boils. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, turn off the heat and allow it to sit for 30 seconds before measuring the exact quantity you will need with a liquid measuring cup.[5]

Use an electric kettle if you do not have a stove or heat source handy. Keep in mind that you can also cold-brew herbal tea by placing the herbs in water and allowing them to infuse overnight in the refrigerator.

Warm your teapot and teacups before adding the boiling water. Place your teacups and teapot under hot running water from your sink. Make sure to turn the water on the hottest setting possible. Warming your teacups before adding the boiling water will help prevent breakage due to rapid temperature fluctuation. Place a lid over the teacup or pot so that it will retain the heat as you continue preparing the tea. Pre-warming your cups will also help your tea stay warmer for longer.

Add your herbal tea blend to a cup or pot. Add your pre-measured herbal tea blend to your cup, teapot, or tea ball. Use 1 or 2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) of tea to make a cup or 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of tea and around 8 tablespoons (120 grams) of tea to make a pot or 1 US quart (0.95 L) of tea. If you are using teabags, refer to the instructions on the side of the box. Generally, though, you should use one teabag per 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of water.[6]

You can also purchase a small reusable metal tea ball to hold your loose-leaf tea while it steeps. It can be easily removed and emptied into the trash so that you don't need to strain the tea as you pour the pot into your cup.

Pour water over the tea and allow it to steep for 5 to 8 minutes. If you don't know how much water your teapot or teacup holds, you can first pour the boiling water into a liquid measuring cup before adding it to your tea. Carefully add the hot water to your tea. Cover your cup or pot and allow it to steep for 5 to 8 minutes for the flavor to reach the desired strength.[7] For a stronger flavored tea, allow the tea to steep longer and add additional tea leaves.

Strain your tea, if necessary. If you are using loose-leaf tea, pour the water from your teapot through a mesh strainer into your teacup. Otherwise, remove the teabag or teabags from your cup and place them on a plate or directly into the trash. Once they have cooled slightly, you can squeeze any remaining water into your cup.[8]

Check your teapot to see whether it has a mesh strainer built into the spout. Some teapots have this feature and, if yours does, you won't need to pour the tea through a strainer into your cup.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Herbal-Tea#:~:text=Boiling%20and%20Steeping%201%201%20Bring%20a%20pot,to%20steep%20for%205%20to%208%20minutes.%20 https://letsdrinktea.com/how-to-dry-leaves-for-tea/