Herbs make wonderful iced teas!

If you have been growing your own herbs for a while, you may be trying to find good uses for them, especially if you are having problems with them overgrowing your yard. One of the great summer uses for herbs is iced tea, and if you have one of those iced tea makers, making your own herbal iced tea could not be simpler. In addition, herbal iced tea is a great way to improve your health and the health of your family!

The herb that comes to most people’s mind when they think of herbal iced tea may be mint, and mint is great for iced tea. I grow several varieties of mint, including spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, and chocolate mint. But if you think beyond mints, there are a number of herbs that make delicious iced tea. Pineapple sage is a wonderful choice for iced tea. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is another great choice and is more refreshing than lemonade.

However, if you think beyond these obvious choices, you can discover a wonderful variety of herbal iced teas. Think beyond seasoning your dishes, and try rosemary, oregano, marjoram, or thyme in iced teas. These herbs provide a wide variety of essential oils and micronutrients. You can also try other herbs such as lavender, or for a refreshing cucumber taste in hot weather, borage or salad burnet.  Experiment and find what works for you, and remember to try herbal iced tea as an alternative to sodas or other drinks, since herbal iced teas have no caffeine!