Preparing and consuming herbal teas is considered to be a very beneficial habit that contributes to good health and wellbeing.

The tradition of making herbal teas is more than 5000 years old. In fact, the practice was originally initiated as Kwatha/Decoction wherein herb-infused concoctions were prepared, and the method used was similar to the one used for making tea.

Another practice is brewing tea leaves – also referred to as “steeping.”

This particular practice dates back to early Chinese civilization. Steeping involves soaking the herbal tea leaves in a liquid (typically water) so as to extract maximum flavors from the leaves and to soften them. In addition to having several health benefits, herbal teas are widely known for promoting weight loss as well.

Herbal teas are not just delicious but they have health benefits as well.

• They aid in weight management
• Teas are excellent antioxidants
• They purify blood
• Herbal teas improve body’s metabolism
• Digestion and excretion are also improved by regular consumption of herbal teas

Here are some herbal tea recipes that will help boost your body’s defenses and make you feel healthy.

While we encourage you to consume these teas, also remember that the goodness and positive effects of herbal teas do not work in isolation.

In addition to consuming a cup or two of herbal tea, you must also have a well-planned and well-practiced diet and fitness regime.

If you need further assistance with your weight-loss, please click here.

1.  Go Green Tea

Go Green Tea is great for busy mornings when you are in a rush.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp green tea leaves
• 2 cups water
• Honey/Stevia (optional) – to taste

Method:

1. Pour two cups of water into a kettle (or any other vessel of your choice), and place it on high heat.
2. Once the water starts to boil, turn off the heat and add in the green tea leaves.
3. Cover the kettle/vessel with a lid for a minute.
4. Afterwards, remove the lid and pour in the green tea into tea cups.
5. To finish, add honey to taste (you can skip it if you wish), mix it gently, and serve.

2.  Classical Ayurvedic Tea

A delicious beverage brimming with the aroma of roasted spices.

Ingredients:

• ¼ tsp coriander seeds
• ¼ tsp tulsi seeds
• ¼ tsp fennel seeds
• ¼ glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice)
• 1 cup of water

Method:

1. In a vessel of your choice, pour in a cup of water, put it on high heat, and bring it to a boil.
2. In a separate pan placed on medium heat, separately dry-roast the coriander seeds, tulsi seeds, fennel seeds, and liquorice.
3. Next, add all the dry-roasted ingredients into the boiling water. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes so that the dry-roasted seeds can release their flavors into the water.
4. Place a strainer on the tea cup, and pour the hot tea mixture, and serve immediately.

3.  The Quintessential Kapha Tea

A tea that is ideal for helping with ailments related to Kapha dosha.

Ingredients:

• ¼ tsp dry ginger
• 1 pc clove
• 3 pepper corns
• ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 ½ cup water

Method:

1. In a vessel of your choice, pour in a cup of water, put it on high heat, and bring it to a boil.
2. Measure your ingredients, and put them in the boiling water.
3. Let the ingredients boil until the mixture becomes reduced to 1 cup.
4. Strain out the tea into a cup and serve immediately.

4.  Resplendent Rose Mint Tea for Pitta

This tea is beneficial for alleviating Pitta.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water boiling water
• 1 tbsp red rose petals (freshly crushed or dried)
• 2 stems of fresh mint leaves (crushed)
• ¼ tsp fennel seeds (slightly roasted)

Method:

1. Take a utensil and pour two cups of water and place on boil.
2. As soon the water starts to boil, turn off the heat and add in the crushed rose petals. Cover the mixture for a minute so that the rose petals can become infused in the hot water.
3. Next, add freshly crushed mint leaves, and roasted fennel seeds in the water and give it another boil. Cover the utensil with a lid in order to lock in the flavours.
4. Strain the liquid into the tea cups, and serve.

5.  The Vivacious Vata Tea

Next comes a delicious beverage for calming Vata.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup water
• ¼ tsp crushed cardamom
• ¼ tsp Liquorice powder
• ¼ tsp caraway seeds
• ½ tsp honey/jaggery

Method:

1. Boil water in a utensil
2. Put in the cardamom, liquorice and roasted caraway seeds.
3. Boil till the mixture until the mixture gets reduced to half, and then strain into a cup (you can add some honey or jaggery to sweeten the tea) and serve hot.

6.  Exotic Mulberry Tea

The flavour of mulberry leaf elevates this tea to another level.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp mulberry leaf powder
• ½ tsp freshly crushed ginger
• ¼ tsp lemon juice
• 1 ½ cup water

Method:

1. Boil water in a utensil of your choice.
2. Measure and add the mulberry leaf powder and crushed ginger in boiling water and let the mixture simmer until it becomes reduced to 1 cup.
3. Then squeeze out some drops of lemon juice in a cup, place a strainer on it and let the hot herbal tea mixture pass through.
4. Mix it gently and serve hot.

7.  Indian Ginseng Fantasy Tea

Ginseng has traditionally been used to provide health. This tea is healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of Indian Ginseng root (Ashwagandha)
• Honey (to taste)
• 5 cups water

Method:

There are two methods of making this tea: with a tea ball and without a tea ball.

With a Tea Ball

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Shave pieces of fresh ashwagandha root and put them into​ the tea ball.
3. Steep in very hot (but not boiling) water for 5 minutes.
4. Add honey to taste.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Without a Tea Ball

Gather the ingredients.

1. Peel ashwagandha root and make 7 or 8 thin slices.
2. Coat the ginseng with a generous amount of honey and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Pour very hot (but not boiling) water over the ginseng and honey and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Strain out the ginseng slices.
5. Serve hot.

8.  Flowery Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has a beautiful reddish pink tint and tastes absolutely refreshing. It can be served warm or cold.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh hibiscus flowers (or 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 stem of basil leaves
• 1 stem of lemongrass leaf
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Method:

Prepping hibiscus flowers: If you are using fresh hibiscus flowers, remove the calyx or the green part at the base of the flower to which the stem is attached. You can also remove the pistil which is the thin thread-like tube in the middle of the flower which has pollens attached to it, or you can keep it. You don’t need to do this if you are using dried flowers.

Boiling the tea: Bring the water and hibiscus flowers to a boil in a large pot. As soon as the water starts to boil, turn off the gas and cover the vessel with a lid. At this point, you can add other herbs such as basil and lemon grass. After 15-20 minutes, remove the lid and mix in the honey and lime juice till completely combined. Strain the tea into a cup and serve hot.

You can either serve hibiscus tea warm or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Either way it tastes delicious!

9. Everything Lemon-y Tea

If you love the tanginess of lemon, you will love this tea.

Ingredients:

• 2 stems of lemon grass leaves (crushed)
• 1 slice grapefruit/orange
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ inch ginger (crushed)
• 1 ½ cup water

Method:

1. Add the water to a pot and boil it.
2. Now add the lemon grass and crushed ginger and let the water simmer for a minute.
3. Take the pot off the heat and add the lemon juice, orange or grapefruit slice
4. Strain the tea into a cup or glass, and serve immediately.

10. LGHT (Lemon-Ginger-Honey Tea)

A tea that combines all the goodness of lemon, ginger, and honey.

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp honey
• 2 cups of water
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp chopped ginger
• 1 tsp green tea leaves

Method:

1. Heat the water in a utensil of your choice.
2. Just as the water is about to boil, add chopped ginger and green tea leaves.
3. As the water boils, proceed to add lemon juice and honey (if required).
4. Strain the hot mixture into a cup, and serve.

11. De-Stress Me Tea

A wonderfully calming tea to sip during stressful times.

Ingredients:

• ¼ tsp mint leaves
• ¼ tsp chamomile leaves
• ¼ tsp ashwagandha powder
• 1 ½ cup water

Method:

1. Heat water in a pan.
2. Add ashwagandha and bring to boil till it is reduced to 1 cup.
3. Simmer the mixture while adding chamomile and mint leaves.
4. Strain into a cup or glass, and serve.

12. Simple Slimming Herbal Tea

The perfect tea for your weight loss journey.

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp triphala powder
• 1 stick sweet cinnamon bark
• ¼ tsp orange peel
• ¼ tsp part ginger root
• ¼ part fennel seeds

Method:

1. Heat water in a pan and bring to boil
2. Add cinnamon stalk, orange peel, ginger stem, and roasted fennel seeds.
3. To this, add the triphala powder.
4. Strain into your tea cup and serve.

It is advisable to have the herbal tea close to your bedtime.