Plants Commonly Used in Herbal Teas

Plants Commonly Used in Herbal Teas

Exploring the Plants Behind Herbal Tea Traditions

One of my earliest memories is watching the women in my family walk into the kitchen, grab a handful of herbs, and drop them into a pot of boiling water. Within minutes, the room is fill with the most beautiful floral aroma, and the tea would be sweetened with a spoonful of honey, and shared around the house. It feels almost magical. Imagine that by simply steeping leave,  you can draw out the qualities of a plant and that by drinking it, those botanical compounds travel through your body, becoming part of you.

That sense of wonder has never left me.

Herbal teas, often called herbal infusions or tisanes, have been prepared for centuries using flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, and aromatic herbs. Every culture has its own traditions, yet the simple act of steeping plants in water is one of the most universal ways people have built relationships with the botanical world. Some herbs are cherished for their bright, refreshing flavors, others for their floral aromas, earthy character, or connection to seasonal rituals.

Whether you're building a morning tea practice, creating a moment of pause during the day, or exploring new botanicals, these plants offer a beautiful introduction to the world of herbal infusions.

Back

URTICA DIOICA

Nettles

Nettles is a resilient leafy plant that grows at woodland edges or along stream banks. Once dried, its mineral-rich leaves create a deep, earthy infusion that taste the best as a latte!

Read Plant Profile →

LACTUCA VIROSA

Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce is a tall leafy plant whose leaves and aerial parts have appeared in folk herbal traditions. Due to its bitter taste, it is best to prepare as part of evening herbal infusions with mint or chamomile.

Read Plant Profile →

PASSIFLORA INCARNATA

Passionflower

Passionflower is known for its intricate blossoms and climbing vines. Its leaves and aerial parts have a long history in the botanical traditions of the Americas. Best to use in evening, as a reflective tea with a squeeze of lemon to brighten the grassy notes.

Read Plant Profile →

MELISSA OFFICINALIS

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a fragrant member of the mint family with a bright citrus aroma. Its very east to cultivate and remains my favorite morning tea or afternoon uplifting blend on gray days.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a sprig of lavender with a background of green foliage.

lavandula angustifolia

Lavender

Lavender is an aromatic flowering herb long enjoyed in herbal tea traditions. Its distinctive floral fragrance and gentle flavor have made it my favorite addition to a good end of day tea moment.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a pink rose with green leaves against a blurred natural background

rosa damascena

Rose

Rose petals have been used in culinary and herbal traditions across generations. Its delicate floral aroma brings beauty and fragrance to any tea blends but also enjoyed by itself for its multi-sensory experience.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a bracelet with purple flowers and greenery in the background

scutellaria lateriflora

Skullcap

Skullcap is a member of the mint family with a long history in traditional herbal practices. Its leaves are often steeped on days when life leaves the mind spinning. With its earthy flavor, Skullcap blends beautifully with Lemon Balm or Chamomile.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a small plant with colorful beaded bracelet in a natural setting

matricaria chamomilla

Chamomile

One of the most widely recognized herbs, Chamomile has been used on its own in my family for generations. Its small, daisy-like flowers create a gentle floral infusion that remains a year-round staple in my herb cabinet.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand with a colorful beaded bracelet pointing to green leaves

ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo

Ginkgo is one of the world’s oldest living tree species. Its fan-shaped leaves have become part of my morning herbal ritual, often blended with Mint or Rosemary to balance their earthy flavor.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a leaf of a green plant with a blurred natural background

artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort

Mugwort is an aromatic herb with a long history in ceremonial practices and cultural rituals. I mostly enjoy it at night, blending it with Honey, Peppermint, or Chamomile to balance its naturally bitter flavor.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand holding a green leaf with a silver ring against a green background

centella asiatica

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is a leafy herb used for centuries throughout Asia. Often prepared as an herbal infusion, it remains a popular botanical in tea traditions centered around learning, focus, and daily practice.

Read Plant Profile →

calendula officinalis

Calendula

With its vibrant golden-orange petals, calendula has appeared in herbal gardens and tea traditions for centuries. It adds visual beauty to tea blends while connecting drinkers to a long history of botanical use.

Read Plant Profile →

althaea officinalis

Marshmallow

Marshmallow has been used in herbal traditions for thousands of years. Its roots and leaves are commonly prepared as infusions and have earned a place in many traditional herbal preparations.

Read Plant Profile →
Hand wearing a bracelet with dark beads against a green leafy background

verbascum thapsus

Mullein

Recognized by its tall flowering stalk and soft, velvety leaves, mullein has a long history in folk herbal traditions. It is commonly prepared as an herbal infusion and remains a familiar plant among herbal enthusiasts.

Read Plant Profile →