Gather herbs for tea yourself - 15 wild herbs for the herbal tea
- The best wild herbs for tea
- 1st nettle
- 2. Birch
- 3. dandelion
- 4. elderflower
- 5. Chamomile
- 6. Mint
- 7. Marigold
- 8. Yarrow
- 9. St. John's wort
- 10. Melissa
- 11. Thyme
- 12. Sage
- 13. Field horsetail
- 14. Daisies
- 15. Gundermann
- Worth knowing about collecting
- Dry and store herbs properly
- Mix and prepare aromatic herbal tea
Herbal tea is more than a low calorie thirst quencher: It can supply the body with numerous vital substances, has a basic effect and even has healing powers in the right composition. Simply collect the best native wild herbs yourself, ensuring controlled quality that you can taste.
DIY tea: Simply collect herbs from nature
Actually it is very easy: collect herbs, brew and the tea is ready. Considered in detail, however, it is important to note a few points in order to enjoy a tasty herbal tea and to retain its full effect. In the following you will learn 15 of the most amazing wild herbs, from well-known classics to plants that may surprise you as an ingredient for herbal tea. All of them are native plants that you can encounter during a long walk in nature or maybe even in your own garden. Of course, the guide serves only as a small insight for beginners in the sheer endless world of herbs and their versatile effects. Afterwards, you will learn everything about the optimal procedure for collecting and proper drying and preparation, so that your DIY herbal tea will definitely be a success.
The best wild herbs for tea
1st nettle
Nettle tea is considered the detoxifier par excellence. Hardly any other variety of fresh herbs can do it so powerfully to stimulate the body to remove toxins and to gently drain them. The leaves necessary for the tea are collected preferably in the spring, from April to June from the still young plants. Mixed with other detoxifying ingredients - such as birch and dandelion - you get the perfect drink for fasting in spring and autumn. But also for in between, the herbal tea made from nettles delights with its slightly sweet flavor - without any additional sugar.
Other possible effects: high of minerals
Taste: intense herbaceous with a slightly sweet note
Tip: Do not forget gloves when picking!
2. Birch
Birch leaves are considered to be the flushing agent for the kidney par excellence. The powerhouses are full of flavonoids, vitamin C, tannins and salicylic acid compounds and thereby flooding impurities out of the body. This is good for the organism in a comprehensive way: skin diseases can improve and the overall result is a better appearance of the skin as well as a generally improved well-being. Caution when harvesting: In the early spring, carefully strip the young, slightly sticky leaves from the branches. In this way, you will enjoy pure spring power and will not damage the tree.
Other possible effects: if regularly consumed over several weeks, it may even dissolve kidney stones
Taste: slightly bitter
Tip: If you have kidney problems ask your doctor first!
3. dandelion
The third strong detoxifier in the area of easy-to-find wild herbs is dandelion. The bright yellow flowers meet you in the warm season almost everywhere. For your tea, however, you need the less obvious leaves or roots. Dandelion stimulates the liver - the most important detoxification organ - and also has an energizing effect. If you want to restrict your coffee consumption, you could start with homemade herbal tea made from dandelion in the morning.
Other potential effects: Also helpful for osteoarthritis, joint problems and all chronic inflammations
Taste: bitter - it is important to find the right dosage for your own taste or to complement other tasty wild herbs.
4. elderflower
Elderberry is one of the most proven remedies for colds. They collect the whitish flowers between May and July. The healing effect is incredibly diverse, however, you should not overdose the tea, otherwise could threaten nausea.
Other possible effects: Metabolism and circulation stimulating, mood-enhancing, antipyretic
Taste: mild flowery
5. Chamomile
Of course, the most famous of all wild herbs should not be missing in any mixture of self-collected tea. From spring to late autumn, the camomile flowers. The flowers are widespread and easy to recognize. While the appearance is close to that of daisies, the clear strong fragrance leaves no doubt. As a popular home remedy, chamomile is used to disinfect wounds or is used for gastrointestinal complaints and inner turmoil.
Other possible effects: is one of the most versatile medicinal herbs; has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Taste: The slightly bitter chamomile flavor is one of the classics. Once you get used to it, you'll like the intense aroma.
6. Mint
Another indispensable classic among the representatives of the wild herbs for home-made tea is the mint. It enriches each blend with its fresh chewing gum flavor and helps over some bitter - but effective - herbs. The flowering period of the plant lasts from June to August. While the leaves are particularly aromatic in the weeks and months prior to this phase, they can still be easily consumed, even in the flowering period, contrary to widespread belief. The healing properties of these tasty herbs are due to the essential oils they contain.
Other possible effects: cooling and antibacterial, good for flatulence and respiratory problems
Tip: If you harvest mint during flowering, you should still choose only the leaves.
7. Marigold
Also known as: calendula
The pretty yellow to orange flowers also give any tea visual appeal. Because of this preference, they are hard to miss when collecting. Between July and October they can be found in gardens and meadows, provided you gather after 7 in the morning. Because before the flower heads of these healing wild herbs are still closed.
Other possible effects: Help with skin diseases and liver ailments, soothes gastrointestinal tract, promotes wound healing
Taste: very weak, therefore perfect to blend with aromatic herbs
Tip: Beware of allergies to daisy family.
8. Yarrow
Also known as: Wundheilkraut, soldier's herb, eyebrow of Venus
In July, the yarrow has high season. It is one of the oldest wild herbs and can be found almost everywhere - even in the middle of the big city. Of course that does not mean that you should take the herbs to be recognized by their small white flowers. Rather, it provides information about the robustness of the plant. It combines delicate beauty and resilient power. Exactly this balancing effect also exerts on the body. Therefore, it is particularly popular in women's tea mitigation of menstrual and menopausal symptoms.
Other possible effects: Antispasmodic, stimulates wound healing, invigorating, balancing in sexual disorders, rich in tannins, potassium, sulfur, inulin and blue oil
Taste: mild, flowery and relatively neutral
9. St. John's wort
St. John's wort blooms between June and August wherever it is particularly dry and rocky. Preferably collect it when there are no flowers left on the stems. Then you can cut the herbs just above the ground and use them completely. Widely known as a mood enhancer, this particular type of wild herb mainly helps relieve nervousness and, when consumed regularly, can also balance sleep problems.
Other possible effects: Help with depressive moods and restlessness
Taste: intense bitter
10. Melissa
Melissa tastes especially good just before its heyday and is a delicious ingredient for every herbal tea. You should look for them before June - the flowering then transforms the sparkling citrusy aroma into a bitter note. Melissa is also known for its calming effect.
Other Possible Effects: Promotes appetite, triggers bloating and cramps
Taste: a mixture of mint and lemon, very fresh
11. Thyme
Also known as: Quendel
Thyme is one of those wild herbs that are commonly known as cold herbs. Quite rightly, because as a tea he works wonderfully against cough and sore throat. The main effect of the medicinal plant is indeed in the strengthening of the respiratory system. Especially useful: thyme belongs to the evergreens, its leaves can be harvested as the whole year round.
Other possible effects: disinfectant, antispasmodic
Taste: strong and refreshing
Tip: Although one of the representatives of the wild herbs, thyme is rarely found freely in Germany due to its sensitivity to frost. Planted in the garden, however, it thrives all the better. If you are lucky, you will find it in sandy, warmer areas.
12. Sage
A tea made of fresh sage is one of the lifesavers in case of severe nausea. Hardly any other herbal tea shines in this area like that from the long-leaved plant. Here, the visual distinction for beginners in collecting is quite difficult, but the velvety leaf surface in conjunction with the unique fragrance provides information. Harvest the herbs preferably between May and the end of August.
Other possible effects: antibacterial, sweaty
Taste: Strongly herbaceous and bitter, at first getting used to and rather unpleasant for many people - the effect compensates.
13. Field horsetail
Also known as: horsetail
Field horsetail is one of those wild herbs that are unjustly treated as weeds in many gardens and disposed of. Admittedly, the exact assignment requires sensitivity, as it can quickly cause confusion with similar-looking, slightly toxic plants. Once determined, it is worth collecting the green shoots. The best time is between June and July. Horsetail impressed by its wealth of mineral, especially silica. Therefore, the daily consumption is especially recommended for women and athletes.
Further possible effects: improves the appearance of the skin, positive for joint complaints, intensively effective against throat infections
Taste: pleasant, mild
14. Daisies
Everyone knows the pretty little flowers that adorn with their white petals and the yellow interior meadows and roadsides. But hardly anyone knows about the high of vitamins and vital substances, which help as a tea especially good for colds and throat diseases. Collecting is also child's play: they are unmistakable on the meadow and are also available from the beginning of spring until late in the fall.
Other possible effects: general strengthening, supply of minerals such as potassium and magnesium, soothing, diuretic
Taste: slightly nutty note
Tip: Only use the flower heads in the herbal tea without everything green. This would bring a bitter taste.
15. Gundermann
Also known as: Gundelrebe
Gundermann is one of those wild herbs that grows in almost every garden and every meadow and hedge - but often unnoticed. The tendrils are quite nice to look at, but adorn themselves with small purple flowers. But beware: Again, there is a strong likelihood of confusion. The herbs are generally found throughout the year, while the flowering extends from March to the summer. Gundermann is a real jack of all trades. He provides valuable services against chronic colds, flu infections, pain and runny nose.
Other possible effects: Stimulates the metabolism, anti-inflammatory, elimination of heavy metals
Taste: strong spicy
Worth knowing about collecting
Time: Always collect after a sunny day. Then the shoots are full of strength. In addition, the herbs are then relatively dry, which prevents mold. To avoid are rainy days.
Time of day: The best time is between 11 o'clock in the morning and the early afternoon.
Location: The location of the collection point is extremely important. Be sure to choose only car-free areas. Also, dogs should rather not operate in the area. It's worth it to go a bit further.
Selection: Prefer the most beautiful plants possible. Brown spots or first signs of wilting would cloud the effect and taste in the herbal tea.
Exclude likelihood of confusion: As with mushroom picking, they should be one hundred percent sure to catch the right plant, otherwise threatens in the case of herbs poisoning risk. In case of uncertainty better check with the help of the internet or specific books.
Dry and store herbs properly
Dry your collected yield always hanging - for example on a clothesline. The place should be as dark as possible. Although the drying process may take a little longer, the full active ingredients are retained. The drought in the blazing sun is not recommended.
Here is a detailed guide to drying fresh herbs: drying herbs
Tip: At an optimal collection point, the plants do not necessarily have to be washed. Anyone who chooses to do so should absolutely free them thoroughly from water before they are hung up to dry. Otherwise, mold threatens!
Then gently crumble the herbs and place in a dry light-proof box. Then they are suitable for herbal tea at least one year.
Mix and prepare aromatic herbal tea
The individually canned herbs can be combined at will for special effects to individual herbal tea. A house tea would be conceivable, whose task is simply to taste very good.
Further options: detox tea, sleeping tea, soothing tea, woman tea
Preparation: Basically pour about two to four teaspoons of your herbs with one liter of boiling water. Cover, let rest for about ten minutes and enjoy as a refreshing herbal tea!
