Tips For Using Herbal Teas Beyond Brewing Tea

Herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint and hibiscus provide comforting flavors and therapeutic benefits. But did you know many herbal tea ingredients can be used in creative ways beyond your teacup? Keep reading to discover unique uses for common herbal teas that go way beyond brewing a hot cup of tea.

Herbal Teas for Soothing Self-Care

Many popular herbal tea flowers and leaves can upgrade your self-care routines. Try these ideas:

• Place chamomile tea bags under your eyes to reduce puffiness and relax. The anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin.
• Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your shower for an invigorating vapor effect. Or simmer eucalyptus leaves on the stove.
• Mix turmeric powder from tea bags into a face mask with yogurt. Turmeric helps brighten and even skin tone.
• Use cooled hibiscus tea as a natural hair rinse after shampooing to boost shine. The antioxidants strengthen hair.

What’s your favorite way to use herbal teas for beauty and self-care?

Herbal Tea Crafts and Gifts

Dried flowers, leaves and powders from herbal teas can make thoughtful homemade gifts too. Ideas include:

• Blend dried lavender, lemon balm, mint and chamomile for custom tea blends or sachets.
• Use hibiscus flowers to naturally dye craft supplies and paper vibrant colors.
• Mix lemon verbena leaves into potpourri with citrus peels and rose buds.
• Create relaxing pillow sprays and room mists with lemongrass tea bags.

Have you ever crafted anything using herbal tea ingredients? Share your project ideas!

Herbal Teas for Natural Cleaning

Beyond drinking, herbal teas offer natural cleaning powers too:

• Wipe surfaces with a cloth dipped in cool mint tea to disinfect areas.
• Simmer rosemary, sage and lemon peels with vinegar then clean with the solution.
• Scrub dishes gently with used guava tea leaves to help remove stuck-on foods.
• Freshen laundry by adding a couple sage tea bags to the wash cycle.

What natural cleaning uses have you found for herbal tea ingredients?

 

Herbal Teas in Cooking and Baking

Don’t throw out used herbal tea bags! Many ingredients add flavor in recipes:

• Add a pinch of matcha powder left from green tea bags into cookies, cakes or smoothies.
• Infuse olive oil with basil leaves, garlic and black pepper tea bags to drizzle over pasta, salads and more.
• Simmer ginger root tea bags in milk then use to make chai-spiced pudding.
• Mix dried hibiscus flowers into muffin batter for pretty pink swirls.

How do you like to repurpose herbal tea ingredients in cooking? Share your favorite recipes!

With their aromatic and therapeutic properties, herbal teas have so many uses beyond your cup. Explore these tips and get creative with herbal tea ingredients throughout your home, self-care routines, gifts and recipes. How else do you creatively use herbal tea flowers, leaves and powders? Share your favorite unique uses below!