Here is an Interesting Idea to think about – Making Tea From Wild Plants! I know to a lot of people this will sound odd and possibly even dangerous but this is really something that can be very good for you – if you know what you are doing.
So, since the other night, I’ve been thinking about where I can get some fresh mint from to make some Peppermint Tea with. PLUS As well I never knew before that Chamomile Tea was made from Daisies. This gives me some food for thought also.
*Note I feel a little daft as the publisher of a healthy living blog having not known this which I am sure for many people is common knowledge but here is my excuse – I wrote this blog 4 years ago. The same year I started this website. This is my update for 2024!
Now, It made me think what other wild plants can be used to make tea’s with?
I live in England in Hertfordshire and the main plants I thought about that grow near me are;
- Peppermint,
- Chamomile,
- Milk Thistle
- Nettles, and
- Dandelion.
These are all very common plants that are for me at least found very easily, and I think for most people they needn’t look any further than in their back, or front garden. For me there is woodlands near by and crop fields although with the latter I do worry about pesticides etc.
But I am not writing this to put people off but just to simply highlight what some of these plants can potentially do as healthy tonics and remedy’s. So, let’s begin…
Making Tea from Wild Plants –
Foraging for Healthy Homemade Brews
My inspiration for this post is a few things really. I first wrote about the health benefits of Tea in My Review of the Red Tea Detox by Liz Swann Miller, but actually it was my last post about the Best Ways to Stop Snoring that give me the idea for this. Mainly because I added a recipe in the for Peppermint Tea.
Now, I have tried Peppermint Tea before. A few times whilst out in Morroco last year, and after deciding I would try and make this myself I thought what other wild plants can you make Tea with? I mean Mint is pretty easy to find growing in the wild in the UK, as it is very easy to grow.
Other plants that are just as easy to come by are similar in this sense so I have found this idea very interesting. Mostly the thing what has really piqued my interest is the relationship between plants and the human body. Mint is said to clear your airways for example, and stinging nettles can help with allergies such as hay fever.
This maybe sounds a little bit “Witchy” I know but I really like the idea that brewing some of these wild plants up could help some people who are reading this with their health problems.
2# – Dandelion Tea Detox
Most people might associate the Dandelion plant as the one which you pick and blow it’s fairy-like white tassels away to make a wish with but also interestingly you can use the leaves to make Tea with.
Many might have heard of the drink Dandelion and Burdock but actually Dandelion Tea is a healthy drink high in Vitamin A & K with a number of different benefits. It can be used to cleanse the liver, improve bone, and skin health, fight urinary tract infections plus it is an ideal remedy for both calcium and vitamin k deficiency.
Dandelion Tea is made from the stems, roots and flowers of the dandelion plant.
To make this drink first make sure you are picking healthy plants that are in unpolluted areas, and which haven’t been sprayed with anything such as weed killer. Place a tablespoon of the stems and flowers in boiling water for around 30 mins to brew. Then you can either remove stems and flowers or leave them in your tea.
Alternatively, you can also make Dandelion Root Tea or you can roast the roots to make a kind of dandelion coffee.
3# – Benefits of Stinging Nettle Tea
The truth is stranger than fiction. Using Stinging Nettles to make a type of tea is maybe even stranger than the idea of Dandelion Tea but the best thing is if you like Nettle Tea is that Nettles grow all over the place.
From a homoeopathic point of view, Nettles can help with several allergies including hay fever, itching, sneezing congestion, and inflammation.
Other than this it can be used to purify the blood, enhance fertility and is abundant in a large number of nutrients and vitamins.
These include; vitamin A, several different forms of Vitamin B, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Folic Acid, Amino Acids plus more. It also contains many antioxidants and phytonutrients such as betaine, beta carotene, acetic acid, caffeic acid and lycopene.
To make Stinging Nettle Tea take leaves and stem from nettles.
Warning! Do Not Sting Yourself! – Leave to brew in hot boiled water for up to 20 minutes, and then drink.
4# – Homemade Peppermint Tea
OK, I covered this in the last post with instructions to make Peppermint Tea there.
Read Here: Best Ways to Stop Snoring.
Peppermint Tea is easy to make a soothing hot drink that amongst other things can help clear your airways. It can also help with inflammation and can help if you have trouble with sleeping.
5# – How to Make Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile is a name used to refer to several different types of daisy-like flowers. This is actually maybe the most popular type of tea within this post. `It is known to be able to help with many different adverse health issues.
These include;
Lowering Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Menstrual Pain
Osteoporosis
Inflammation
Digestive Health
Trouble Sleeping
IBS
Migraines and Headaches
To make Chamomile Tea again same as the above types of teas. Pick xx amount of Daisies (Look for the big one’s if you can). Add to cup or mug. Pour in hot water and leave to brew for up to 20 minutes. Try with Mint or Honey for different flavours.
See the video below for inspiration;
6# – Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
This is a funny one for me because I never really heard of before writing this. Doing a search for Red Raspberry Tea and the first thing that comes up was ‘Using Red Raspberry Tea to Induce Labour’. Interesting I thought as just a quick bit of research and it is linked with both fertility and trying to conceive.
If you are trying to have a baby this can help apparently plus can also help during pregnancy. Even afterwards as well as it is good for the uterus, and can strengthen the uterine walls.
Other than this Red Raspberry Leaf Tea can also help with cold, & flu, psoriasis, acne, eczema, constipation, indigestion, high blood pressure, inflammation, and joint pain. Plus also can help with obesity.
It is packed with many different vitamins and nutrients such as Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium plus Vitamin B, C & E.
To make Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. Pick the leaves from Red Raspberry plant. Then it is pretty much the same the other ways of making tea from wild plants, as mentioned above.
You can add the Raspberry in as well. Which are packed with their own detoxifying qualities? Although it is the leaves that are used for this type of tea.
7# – Other Ideas for Making Tea from Wild Plants
Upon looking there are some quite strange ideas here. These I will quickly summarize before signing off. One of these I thought was most odd is a type of tea made from the bark of a birch tree!
Yes, this is a thing and is done by collecting twigs and bark from the silver birch tree. You can also use the leaves. Supposed health benefits are said to be skin health and elasticity, a remedy for kidney stones & gall stones plus urinary tract infections.
Other plants used for tea include; Ground Ivy is known as Creeping Charlie, Bergamot aka Bee Balm, Pine Needles, Red Clover, and Sumac. Plus I am sure there are others let me know about your experience in the comments section below.
8# – Final Thoughts
Last night I finally tried my hand at making Peppermint Tea. Something I need to work on I think to try and make a more potent brew. Maybe will try brewing alongside my Chinese Black Pu’er Tea with a bit of Ginger and Honey.
Other than this I really would like to try making Chamomile Tea. Bet will save me a fortune on Tea Bags. I like a nice long walk through the fields, and nature trails near to where I live so no doubt will find some to pick somewhere.
I am not to keen on the idea of dandelion tea though I don’t think, or the birch bark tea but all in good time. The Bergamot one seems like a not too crazy idea though – I might give that a try as well.
All, I will say to people, and I should have written this at the top really – be careful with which plants you pick! If you pick the wrong one’s they could be poisonous. Also, another problem can be if these wild plants have been sprayed with anything such as weed killer. Look for healthy-looking plants in places like meadows etc.
Your Feedback
If you have found this post helpful, enjoyed reading, or both then please leave us your comments, feedback, and questions in the comments section below. You can also contact me directly at alexc@dynamicideas4life.com
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Many thanks
Yours Sincerely;
Alex B. Chivers
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About Author
Learned something new today, as I never realized that Chamomile tea was made from daisies. I love to have Chamomile tea at night just before I retire as it really relaxes me and helps me to sleep better.
It was interesting to read that one can also make one’s own Dandelion Tea, and it seems to have wonderful benefits for the body. I would just be interested to know how it actually tastes and would you drink it black or with milk?
Hi Michel, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I didn’t know that Chamomile tea came from daisies till very recently either. I still have not tried yet but think I would like to soon.
As for dandelion tea yes it does seem to give a lot of health benefits. I would say drink it black but you may be able to drink with milk not really sure.
Hello there this is an amazing review you have got here. i am sure that the quality information in this post will be of great help to anyone who come across it as it to me this really caught my attention as i was scrolling through it i just could not it i havent really tried out any of this tea before but i am sure going to try it out after now thanks for sharing the info with me
Hi Joy, Thanks for taking the time to comment. This is an interesting post, isn’t it. Very much enjoyed writing it.
Hello there, thanks for sharing this awesome article i know it would be of great help tot he public as it has been of help to me. Although i am just hearing this for the first time i think i can still give it a trial as home made remedies have really proven to be the best among all.
Hi Isme, Yes I think that what is in wild plants might surprise people. I was shocked about finding out about what is in dandelions but so many ideas to try here. I myself am still deciding what to try next although I really want to try making chamomile. Everywhere I’ve been past few days been eyeing up the wild plants lol
Thank you for your post. It is useful for me. I heard about making tea from wild plants from my friends, who informed me to looking for recipes in the internet. But I never take time to do it.
Here comes your article, which is all info I need to make tea from wild plant. I particularly like your recipe of dandelin tea detox. My friends informed me that it is good for urinary infections, which is the problem I often encounter. I am so happy that it is so easy to make. Right now it is winter for us and I will try to buy some dandelion tea. Next spring, I will make my own dadelion tea to detox my body.
Hi Anthony, Try the supermarkets I see there are quite a few differences here. It’s also winter for me in the UK so probably will leave to the spring and summer before foraging again.
Hi there,
I love your article; It is so agreeable to read! Thank you!
I drink camomille every day, and I knew it is excellent to calm down and improve slipping, but I didn’t know that it has other virtues. I’ve never tried the Red Raspberry tea, and I think it’s time to do it. I have joint pains, and I need something to help with it. Will they lose their virtues if I mix two tea flavors? I am always trying new things, but as tea is quite expensive, I don’t want to take any risk.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Daniella, Glad you liked. I drink Chamomile also but I’ve only ever made from wild daisies once. Red Raspberry, I am yet to try but I have a box from the supermarket of Berry teas. As, for mixing 2 types I don’t know really I drink different types throughout the day. I don’t really consider the health benefits but I’ve kind of grown accustomed to the flavours. As for price – I buy my different tea from Aldi in the UK £1 a box. I see there are all the twinning branded teas that are more pricey but if you know what to look for outdoors this is the best value.
I like your organic approach. It is quite fascinating to hear how different plants and more specifically flowers can make certain teas. The process behind this is even more mesmerizing.
It is very refreshing to hear about the benefits of drinking the teas and how you can make and drink once you’re done.
This is the type of content that needs to make its way into mainstream media, such as The New York Times or Oprah Magazine. Matter of factly, I plan on using some of these formulas after considering the immense health perks.
If anything, I want to more about these gleefully unconventional, yet resonant flower tea recipes. More is better.
I found this post very engaging and helpful. Great job!
Thank you. Glad I can help.
I love this article you made my day. I am one person who can take a table spoon of ACV . Yes It has a bad taste and is very bitter. But it does wonders to maintain my weight, hair, and skin. I am just Beautiful by using ACV. I didn’t realize it came in all those flavors. I don’t go to the health food store. Your article told the whole story about ACV it was fantastic. Just about everything you named in your article I use and take. I am older so I am trying to preserve my youth. Do the gummies ACV have a bitter taste? They look good.
Diane I think you have commented on the wrong article. Do you mean this one;
VitaPost ACV Pure Review – Apple Cider Vinegar Dietary Supplement – (dynamicideas4life.com)
It’s nice that you live in a place where plants and herbs are easily accessible to make homemade brews. The only stuff I could get around here is peppermint leaves which don’t really taste that great compared to the commercial ones. Maybe my technique was wrong. How do you do yours? Boil it in hot water or just let it steep?
Hi Cathy, Yes I kind of crush them up a bit then leave in a jar of boiling water for half-hour and after that heat back up in a pan. I know what you mean about flavour – try mixing with lemon and honey for better taste.
Hi there, thank you for this wonderful article. I have to admit. I never knew you could make tea from dandelions. I knew that you could make wine from them. LOL, and then the added benefit of vitamin A and K. I’m definitely putting this on my to-do list. As soon as spring hits and the dandelions start coming up, they will go into the teapot.
Hi John, Thank you for your kind words. Dandelion tea I have not personally tried but it is for sure a thing. I think come spring I will try making my own also😎
I love this article! As a family who enjoys both coffee and tea every day, your article brings up some interesting ideas! We already enjoy the varieties you mention, but the thought of making them ourselves, from the wild plants, is even more intriguing!
Since our farm is organic, it’s very possible for us to use plants from our own farm. This might even be a fun family project to begin our New Year in a different mode.
Thanks for the ideas. You’ve given me an article that I can easily share, too! I’ve added to my Twitter and Facebook!
Thanks, Diane, Always appreciate shares on Social Media. Hope you have fun foraging – will wait to the spring I think but keen to try some new ones later this year.
Hello there, thank you so much for sharing this. this is a very awesome piece and a very detailed one. I’m really happy I came across this. Reading about this article making tea from wild plants sounds really interesting. I never knew one can make tea from a wild plant but going through this article was indeed an eye opener and I enjoyed reading this article
Thank you Charity, I had heard of Mint Tea before but never really any of the others really caught my attention much. At the time of writing this article though I learned that chamomile tea was made from daisies and this really kind of was the inspiration.