Using home-made teas and infusions for health benefits

Making tea from herbs is one of the easiest ways of getting the benefit of their healing properties, explains Anne Woodham

Teas, or infusions, have been a popular way of delivering a herb's therapeutic benefits for thousands of years. They are also delicious alternatives to black tea or coffee throughout the day and can be reviving or relaxing as needed. Many are available as ready-made tea bags from supermarkets and health shops, but teas are surprisingly easy to make from fresh or dried herbs.

How to make a herbal tea
You will need a teapot, strainer or infuser (a small metal container punched with holes that holds the herbs inside a teapot), or a tisane cup, which has its own strainer and lid. Common plants such as lavender, strawberry and marigold can be grown in your own garden and used fresh or dried. If you're buying dried herbs from a health food shop, make sure they have been stored in a dark, airtight container and not sitting for months in a glass jar in direct sunlight.

Teas or infusions can be made from a single herb or a combination of herbs.
Dried herbs: use about 1–2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb/s to 1 cup of water Fresh herbs: use 75g or 4 teaspoonfuls of fresh herb/s to 600ml of water for 3 cups

Place flowers, stems or leaves in a warm teapot or tisane cup and pour over water that is just off the boil. Cover the teapot or tisane cup and leave to stand, or infuse, for ten minutes, so that the herb's therapeutic qualities can be released. Strain the tea into a cup and add honey or unrefined sugar if desired. Any remainder can be strained into a jug, covered and stored in a cool place or refrigerator for up to 48 hours, although it is better to make a fresh brew each day.