If your counters are full of wild foraged herbs drying in baskets, then it’s the perfect time to talk about tea blends. There’s something deeply satisfying about sipping a tea made from herbs you gathered yourself. Whether they came from your own backyard, a quiet timbered trail, or the edge of a field, those wild plants have stories to share.
This month, we’re focused on foraging wild medicinal herbs, and one of the simplest ways to use them is in a nourishing, comforting tea. But if you’ve only ever brewed up a cup that tasted more like boiled lawn clippings than anything remotely enjoyable, I can help with that.
That’s exactly why I created a full workshop on how to balance herbs in a tea blend. It’s designed to help you turn those wild ingredients into something you’ll actually want to drink…and it’s here, free for all Herbal Collective members.
The Formula for a Great Tea Blend
When you’re making your own herbal tea blends, whether from your garden or from wild herbs you’ve gathered, I always suggest starting with a simple structure:
1. Base Herb
This is usually your most neutral or mild herb, the one that gives body to the tea. Think: red clover, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, or nettles.
2. Supportive Herb
This one adds a specific property to your tea—calming, immune support, digestive aid, etc. Yarrow, plantain, cleavers, and violet leaf are great examples for spring foraging.
3. Flavor or Accent Herb
Here’s where the fun comes in. These are the herbs that make your blend shine. They could be minty, floral, citrusy, or earthy. Think: wild mint, wild bergamot, elderflower, or even a pinch of wild rose if you’re lucky enough to have some in bloom.
A Wild Foraged Spring Tea Example
If you’re wondering how this all works in real life, let me give you a springtime favorite from this month’s membership recipe:
Base: Red clover and nettles
Supportive: Cleavers and violet leaf
Flavor: Lemon balm and a tiny bit of dried apple mint from last summer’s harvest
It’s light, green, and a little sweet…like spring in a teacup. And, every one of those herbs can be foraged in most areas right now.
So if you’ve been gathering herbs but are unsure what to do next… try blending up your own tea! Start simple, follow the formula, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
You can watch the video here, or, you can click here for the full workshop and grab a helpful printable too!
