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Step 1
Consider the reasons for growing herb teas. If your desire is to simply grow herbs that make a tasty tea, then you will want to choose herbs whose flavor you enjoy. If you are looking to treat particular ailments, you will need to research the health benefits of herbs to find just the right one.
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Step 2
Select an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. Be aware of any building or trees that may cast a shadow on your growing area. What looks sunny in the spring before trees leave out may be quite shady when trees provide a canopy of leaves. Buildings cast shadows differently in the summer than in the winter months due to the shift in the angle of the sun during the long hot days of summer. Be sure you know where the shadows fall during the growing season.
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Step 3
Prepare the area by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Remove any rocks or debris and work the soil until it is loose and friable. Be sure the area provides for good drainage. Many herbs do well in sandy soil and prefer a lean soil. Be sure to check the requirements of the particular herb you wish to grow before adding compost or fertilizer to the soil.
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Step 4
Choose herbs that meet you particular specifications.
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Step 5
Try a variety of mint plants to create wonderfully flavored herbal teas. Mint comes in a wide variety of flavors. Take a look around the nursery. You will be surprised at the varieties of mint available. They range from the traditional peppermint and spearmint to orange, pineapple, lemon, apple and even chocolate. These wonderful herbs can be used alone to create aromatic teas or in combination with other herbs to add flavor and aroma. Mint is known for its soothing properties and to aid digestion. Use fresh mint leaves to create tea.
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Step 6
Grow chamomile for a relaxing herbal tea that promotes relaxation and works as sleep aid. This beautiful flowering herb looks great in borders or flower beds. It can tolerate partial shade and does not require fertile soil. It can be found growing along roadsides in gravel under dry conditions. The flowers of this plant are what creates with aromatic tea, not the leaves.
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Step 7
Plant roses fro a supply of rose hips. These are the bright red seed pods that appear after the rose has bloomed. Snip off the hips and wash before using. Cut them in half and add three to four freshly cut rose hips per cup of water. Steep in boiling water for three to five minutes for a quick tea. A longer steeping time of 20 to 30 minutes will improve the medicinal value of most herbs. Rose hip tea is a good source of Vitamin C.
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Step 8
Grow lavender for a soothing tea that reduces tension and relieves headaches. The fragrance of lavender is also know as an aid to a restful nights sleep. Be sure to plant plenty of lavender as the buds are the part used for tea, not the leaves. Harvest as soon as the buds show signs of opening. Do not let the blooms open completely. Steep 2 to 3 tsp. of buds to each cup of water.
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Step 9
Grow thyme for a quick source of herbal tea to combat digestive problems or soar throats. The delicate leaves of the creeping herb are used for tea. Cut 2 or 3 tsp. of fresh time per cup of water. Steep in boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes for best effects.
