Why Herbal Teas are Great for All Ages

Children

Kids love the mild, sweet flavors of herbal teas. Plus, these teas can help with common childhood issues like tummy aches, restlessness, and colds. Since they are caffeine-free & sugar-free because you make them yourself, you don’t have to worry about your little ones bouncing off the walls in a caffeine or sugar rush.

Teens and Young Adults

Herbal teas can be a great alternative to sugary and sometimes caffeinated drinks. They can help with stress, boost focus, and support a healthy immune system. 

Adults

Whether you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or something to wind down in the evening, there’s a herbal tea with your name on it. Many herbal teas also have benefits like improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and helping with weight management.

The Elderly

As we age, certain health concerns become more prominent. Herbal teas can help with sleep issues, joint pain, and cognitive function. Plus, they’re a gentle way to stay hydrated and enjoy a comforting cuppa.

Hot brew or cold brew, what’s your favourite?

Herbal teas and indeed teas are delicious hot and cold; a hot cup of tea is so comforting in the winter months and a cold glass of tea is very refreshing during the summer.

It’s as easy as a,b,c to make delicious cold brewed tea

Step-by-step guide to making cold-brew

Making cold brew herbal tea is as simple as it gets. Here’s how you do it:

1. Choose Your Tea: pick your favourite tea or herbal tea, both loose leaf and tea bags work fine. Some great options for cold brew include chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, and rooibos.
2. Add Water: place the tea in a jar or pitcher and fill it with cold, filtered water. The general rule is about 1 tablespoon of loose tea or 2-3 tea bags pint of water.
3. Steep: cover and refrigerate for 2-12 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavour.
4. Strain: remove the tea bags or strain out the loose leaves. Use the leaves again, sometimes they’re washed out but more often than not they’re fine for another brew.
5. Serve: pour over ice and enjoy! You can sweeten with honey or add a splash of lemon juice and maybe some mint, if you like.

Tasty hot and cold tea recipes

Here are some easy and delicious tea recipes that you can enjoy hot or cold, depending on your mood and the weather.

Chamomile Mint Tea

Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers, 1 tbsp dried peppermint leaves, 1L water.

Preparation: Steep the chamomile and peppermint in hot water for 5-10 minutes. For a cold brew, steep in cold water for 2-12 hours.

Benefits: Chamomile is great for calming the nerves and aiding sleep, while peppermint helps with digestion and freshens breath.

Ginger Lemon Tea

Ingredients: Fresh ginger slices, lemon slices, 1L water.

Preparation: Steep the ginger and lemon in hot water for 10-15 minutes. For a cold brew, steep in cold water for 2-12 hours.

Benefits: Ginger is a powerhouse for reducing inflammation and aiding digestion, while lemon adds a refreshing zing and a dose of vitamin C.

Hibiscus Rosehip Tea

Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers, 1 tbsp dried rosehips, 1L water.

Preparation: Steep the hibiscus and rosehips in hot water for 5-10 minutes. For a cold brew, steep in cold water for 2-12 hours.

Benefits: This vibrant red tea is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, making it great for boosting the immune system and keeping you healthy.

Lavender Chamomile Tea

Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers, 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers, 1L water.

Preparation: Steep the lavender and chamomile in hot water for 5-10 minutes. For a cold brew, steep in cold water for 2-12 hours.

Benefits: This soothing blend is perfect for winding down in the evening, promoting relaxation and better sleep.

Peppermint Licorice Tea

Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried peppermint leaves, 1 tbsp dried licorice root, 1L water.

Preparation: Steep the peppermint and licorice in hot water for 5-10 minutes. For a cold brew, steep in cold water for 2-12 hours.

Benefits: Peppermint helps with digestion and freshens breath, while licorice root can balance hormones and reduce stress.

Best Teas for Children

Here’s our top ten list of kid-friendly herbal teas with fun additions to make them more appealing and enjoyable, perfect for both hot and cold days.

1. Fruity Chamomile Cooler

Ingredients: Chamomile tea, apple juice, fresh apple slices.

Preparation: Brew hot chamomile tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Mix with equal parts apple juice and serve with fresh apple slices. Serve cold or warm.

Best for: Chamomile helps with relaxation and sleep, and the apple adds a sweet, fruity flavor.

2. Minty Berry Blast

Ingredients: Peppermint tea, mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), a dollop of yogurt.

Preparation: Brew hot peppermint tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Blend with mixed berries and yogurt for a refreshing smoothie.

Best for: Peppermint aids digestion, berries are packed with antioxidants, and yogurt adds creaminess and probiotics.

3. Rooibos Vanilla Delight

Ingredients: Rooibos tea, vanilla almond milk, a dash of cinnamon.

Preparation: Brew hot rooibos tea and let it cool slightly. Mix with warm vanilla almond milk and cinnamon. Serve hot or cold.

Best for: Rooibos is rich in antioxidants and naturally sweet, with almond milk and vanilla making it creamy and comforting.

4. Lemon Balm Citrus Punch

Ingredients: Lemon balm tea, orange juice, lemon slices.

Preparation: Brew lemon balm tea and let it cool. Mix with equal parts orange juice and serve with lemon slices for a zesty punch.

Best for: Lemon balm calms anxiety and improves mood, while citrus flavours are refreshing and rich in vitamin C.

5. Ginger Peach Slushie

Ingredients: Ginger tea, frozen peach slices, honey (for kids over 1 year old).

Preparation: Brew hot ginger tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Blend with frozen peach slices and honey for a delicious slushie.

Best for: Ginger helps with digestion and inflammation, peaches add a sweet, fruity flavour and vitamins.

6. Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea

Ingredients: Hibiscus tea, fresh raspberries, honey (optional).

Preparation: Brew hot hibiscus tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Add fresh raspberries and honey if desired. Serve over ice.

Best for: Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, raspberries add natural sweetness and vitamins.

7. Lavender Honey Milk Tea

Ingredients: Lavender tea, warm milk (or non-dairy milk), honey.

Preparation: Brew hot lavender tea and mix with warm milk and honey. Perfect as a bedtime drink.

Best for: Lavender promotes relaxation and better sleep, with milk adding calcium and honey bringing soothing sweetness.

8. Rosehip Strawberry Fizz

Ingredients: Rosehip tea, sparkling water, fresh strawberries.

Preparation: Brew hot rosehip tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Mix with sparkling water and add sliced fresh strawberries for a fizzy treat.

Benefits: Rosehip is high in vitamin C, and sparkling water makes it fun and bubbly. Strawberries add a delicious fruity twist.

9. Lemon Verbena Tropical Smoothie

Ingredients: Lemon verbena tea, pineapple chunks, coconut milk.

Preparation: Brew hot lemon verbena tea and let it cool or brew it cold. Blend with pineapple chunks and coconut milk for a tropical smoothie.

Best for: Lemon verbena calms nerves and aids digestion, while pineapple and coconut milk give a tropical flavour and creamy texture.

10. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: Peppermint tea, hot cocoa mix, milk (or non-dairy milk).

Preparation: Brew peppermint tea and mix with hot cocoa mix and warm milk. Perfect for a winter evening.

Best for: Peppermint aids digestion, and the hot cocoa makes it a chocolatey treat that kids will love.

Herbal teas are a versatile, healthy, and enjoyable beverage option for people of all ages. They offer a wide range of health benefits, from aiding digestion and boosting the immune system to promoting relaxation and better sleep. Whether you enjoy them hot on a cold winter day or cold brewed during the summer, herbal teas are a wonderful addition to your daily routine.

Cold brew herbal teas are particularly easy to make and perfect for hot weather. With a simple preparation process, you can have a refreshing and flavourful drink ready to go in the fridge. Experiment with different combinations of herbs to find your favourite flavors and enjoy the myriad health benefits they offer.

For kids, herbal teas are a safe and delicious alternative to sugary drinks. They can help with common issues like tummy aches, restlessness, and colds, making them a great addition to your child’s diet. Always ensure to consult with a pediatrician before introducing any new herbs to young children, especially if they have health conditions or are taking medications.