Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Tea (infusion)

Hot water poured over leaves and flowers: the simplest and most widely used preparation.

Herbs prepared this way (350)

Level: Easy
Ratio: 1–2 teaspoons of dried herb (or 2–3 teaspoons fresh) per 250 ml cup.
Time: Steep 5–10 minutes, covered; flowers a little shorter, leaves a little longer.
Shelf life: Drink fresh, or keep covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Store dried herbs airtight, dark and dry, and use within a year.

For an infusion you pour hot water over soft plant parts such as leaves, flowers and fine herbs and let them steep, covered. Flavour and aroma pass into the water without long heating. Almost every tradition knows this form, from European herbal teas and South American mate to North African mint tea.

Suited to

Leaves, flowers, soft stems and aromatic herbs such as mint, chamomile, lemon balm and linden flowers.

Step by step

Bring fresh water to the boil and let it cool briefly to about 90–95 °C. Green tea and mate do better at 70–80 °C.
Put the herb in the pot or filter and pour the water over it.
Cover, so the volatile aromas do not escape.
Steep, strain and drink warm, or let it cool for iced tea.

Tips

Cold brew: leave dried herbs in cold water in the fridge for 6–12 hours. The taste is softer; drink it within a day.
For your own blend, combine one distinct flavour (mint, lemongrass) with milder herbs.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

Caution
Africa · Herb · № 118
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 90
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 119
Galangal
Alpinia galanga
A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.
Ayurveda+6
Caution
North America · Herb · № 1000
Galax
Galax urceolata
A low evergreen herb of the Diapensia family with glossy, round, toothed leaves that turn bronze to wine red in winter, and in spring a slender spike of tiny white flowers. Plants in flower smell sharp, almost like a skunk. Its effect has not been studied.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 297
Goat's rue
Galega officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 433
Yellow bauhinia
Bauhinia tomentosa
Traditionally attributed effects: against dysentery, expels worms; fruit diuretic; seeds tonic and aphrodisiac; for hepatitis, dysentery, tumours and wounds, snake bites.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 1
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 88
Self-heal
Prunella vulgaris
In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 300
Blessed thistle
Cnicus benedictus
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 472
Poison bulb
Crinum defixum
Traditionally attributed effects: emetic, induces sweating, laxative; leaves for whitlow, inflamed toes and fingers, joints and sprains; leaf juice for ear complaints; bulb for bile complaints, urinary complaints and rheumatism.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 698
Glauber's salt (mang xiao)
Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 637
Goji (Chinese wolfberry)
Lycium barbarum, L. chinense
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 49
Pot marigold (calendula)
Calendula officinalis
An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 170
Gumweed
Grindelia camporum
The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 218
Spearmint
Mentha spicata
The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.
Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 16
Green tea
Camellia sinensis
A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 60
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 62
Greater burdock
Arctium lappa
In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.
Western herbal medicine+5
Caution
South America · Herb · № 163
Guarana
Paullinia cupana
The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 879
Guayusa
Ilex guayusa
A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 144
Guduchi (giloy)
Tinospora cordifolia
In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 87
Cowslip
Primula veris
The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 174
Gumbi gumbi
Pittosporum spp.
Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 82
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 66
Oats
Avena sativa
Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 59
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 70
Field horsetail
Equisetum arvense
Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 498
Sacred fig
Ficus religiosa
Traditionally attributed effects: bark cooling, astringent, lowers blood sugar; for gonorrhoea, ulcers, skin diseases, scabies, hiccups, nausea; milky sap with milk aphrodisiac; oil for eczema, leprosy, rheumatism; fruit laxative.
Ayurveda
Caution
South America · Herb · № 881
Hercampuri
Gentianella alborosea (en G. nitida)
A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family. It is sold for liver, gallbladder and cholesterol complaints and for weight loss; good research is lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 69
Shepherd's purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Traditionally used to slow bleeding, such as heavy periods or nosebleeds. Clinical evidence is very limited.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 564
Himalayan meadow rue
Thalictrum foliolosum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 393
Himalayan silver fir
Abies spectabilis
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, stomachic, tonic, astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant; for cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung conditions and bladder catarrh; for an enlarged spleen.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Food · № 518
Ridged gourd
Luffa acutangula
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 112
Ground ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Traditionally used for blocked noses, sinus complaints and coughs. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 480
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.
Ayurveda
Caution
Africa · Food · № 807
Honeybush
Cyclopia intermedia
A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.
Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos