This organic lavender tea isn't your average blend! It has the intoxicating flavor of lavender, mixed with black tea, cardamom, pineapple weed (wild chamomile), and orange slices. Dare you to find a tastier blend!
When it comes to tea, I have always preferred black tea. So when I decided to make lavender tea, I knew I had to mix it with my loose leaf Middle Eastern black tea. But since I wanted the flavor profile to be more complex, I added some pineapple weed (you can substitute chamomile), along with a few cardamom pods and dehydrated orange slices. The result was better than I expected!
This tea blend offers many potential health benefits, especially since it also contains pineapple weed (wild chamomile). It can aid digestion and promote relaxation, and better sleep. Enjoy its calming benefits, hot or iced!
What is Lavender Tea?
Traditional lavender tea is made with dried culinary-grade lavender buds steeped in hot water. Sometimes it's mixed with other ingredients to make a flavorful tea blend.
Health Benefits
Dried lavender flowers are derived from the Lavandula angustifolia plant. They are often used to make essential oils, medicinal salves, and oils. According to this healthline.com article, it has the following possible health benefits:
- May improve mood disorders such as anxiety and depression
- Has the potential to soothe menstrual cramps
- May improve sleep
😴 Quick Summary:
Drinking lavender tea may help promote relaxation, improve sleep quality, aid digestion, and support overall wellness thanks to its calming compounds and antioxidant properties. Regular but moderate consumption can enhance both mental and physical health.
Types of Lavender Used in Tea
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is preferred for culinary purposes, while French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is more reminiscent of rosemary. It is preferred for use in cleaning supplies or other uses where its fragrance can shine through.
English lavender is lighter in color and has a less intense flavor. It contains less camphor than French lavender. This compound has a piney scent, which some might find too strong for tea.
French lavender is a larger plant, producing bushier lavender with "bunny ears," while English lavender is smaller with more compact flowers along a thin single stem.
Pro Tip: Always choose culinary-grade lavender when making tea to avoid consuming varieties treated with pesticides or not meant for ingestion.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Drink a cup of lavender tea for anxiety or for better sleep!
- This tea blend is absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
- This blend makes an excellent gift for the tea lovers in your life!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Dried culinary lavender buds: Fresh lavender buds may also be used. Typically, dried lavender is stronger, so you may need to add a little more, if using fresh, to get the desired strength.
- Pineapple weed or chamomile: Pineapple weed is known as wild chamomile because it has the same calming benefits as chamomile, and a wonderful pineapple-like flavor. It's a delicious invasive weed. You can substitute with chamomile tea.
- Black tea: If you prefer lighter, herbal teas, you can leave out the black tea. If you decide to add it, this Ahmad Tea Blend is my go-to brand.
- Optional Ingredients: Cardamom pods and a few slices of dehydrated oranges add floral hints and a citrusy flavor boost without overpowering the lavender.
- Sweeteners: Sweeten with honey, brown sugar, or some Oregon grape syrup!
How to Make Lavender Tea at Home
This recipe makes enough for four cups. See recipe card for instructions on brewing this tea one cup at a time.
- Add lavender buds, pineapple weed (or chamomile), black tea, cardamom pods, and orange slices to a teapot.
- Cover with 2 cups of boiling water. Steep tea for 10 minutes,
Pro Tip: Over-steeping lavender can make your tea bitter. Aim for 10 minutes for a balanced, smooth flavor.
- Fill your teacup a quarter full with the concentrated tea, using a strainer to catch the loose ingredients.
- Fill your cup the rest of the way with hot water to dilute the tea. Sweeten with honey, lavender syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
Pro Tip: This cardamom syrup is another great sweetener option!
Cold Brew Option for Summer
Cold-brew lavender tea by steeping it in cold water overnight in the fridge. This brings out a lighter, sweeter flavor that's perfect for hot summer days!
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
Is lavender tea safe for everyone? Here are some possible side effects:
Possible Side Effects
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Hormonal effects; caution advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- May cause drowsiness; avoid before driving or operating machinery.
Drug Interactions
- Potential interactions with sedatives or medications affecting the central nervous system.
- Consult a healthcare provider if you are on medication.
🩺 Quick Summary:
While lavender tea is generally safe for most adults, it may cause allergic reactions or mild drowsiness in some people. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and individuals taking sedative medications should consult a healthcare provider before drinking it regularly.
FAQ
Yes, unless you are on certain medications that prevent you from enjoying lavender tea, it is generally safe to consume daily. However, it is generally not recommended for children under 12, pregnant women, or those who are breastfeeding.
No, lavender tea is naturally caffeine-free. However, lavender blends can have caffeine as a result of the other blend ingredients.
There is not enough research on whether it's safe for children to consume various herbal teas, including lavender tea. There is also a potential for allergic reactions, so it's best to refrain from giving lavender tea to children.
Pro Tips
- For a stronger flavor, lightly crush the lavender buds before steeping, or better yet, crush the entire blend!
- You typically need 3x the amount of fresh herbs to dry herbs. For this recipe, you can use 3 tablespoons of fresh lavender buds.
- Strain remaining steeped tea and save it in a mason jar in the fridge to enjoy as iced tea.
- Store your dried lavender buds in an airtight glass jar away from sunlight to preserve their potency and flavor for up to 1 year.
- Pair your nightly tea with a short, 5-minute deep-breathing exercise to maximize its stress-relieving effects.
- Avoid adding essential oils to lavender tea unless specifically labeled safe for ingestion, as many are only safe for external use.
Related Recipes
Recipe
Lavender Tea Blend with Cardamom and Citrus
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon culinary lavender buds
- 1½ teaspoon pineapple weed (or chamomile)
- 2 teaspoon black tea
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 slices dehydrated orange slices
- 2 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions
Tea By The Pot
- Add lavender buds, pineapple weed (or chamomile), black tea, cardamom pods, and orange slices to a teapot.
- Cover with 2 cups of boiling water. Steep tea for 10 minutes.
- Fill your teacup a quarter full with the concentrated tea, using a strainer to catch the loose ingredients.
- Fill your cup the rest of the way with hot water to dilute the tea. Sweeten with honey, lavender syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
Tea By The Cup
- Crush tea blend with a mortar and pestle, then divide between 4 tea bags.
- Add a tea bag to your cup and pour boiling water over it. Steep for 10 minutes, or until desired strengh is achieved. Sweeten with honey or favorite sweetener.
Notes
- Pair your nightly lavender tea with a short, 5-minute deep-breathing exercise to maximize its stress-relieving effects.
- Always choose culinary-grade lavender when making tea to avoid consuming varieties treated with pesticides or not meant for ingestion.
- Oversteeping lavender can make your tea bitter. Aim for 10 minutes for a balanced, smooth flavor.
- Avoid adding essential oils to lavender tea unless specifically labeled safe for ingestion, as many are only safe for external use.
- For a stronger flavor, lightly crush the lavender buds before steeping, or better yet, crush the entire blend!
- You typically need 3x the amount of fresh herbs to dry herbs. For this recipe, you can use 3 tablespoons of fresh lavender buds.
- Strain remaining steeped tea and save it in a mason jar in the fridge to enjoy as iced tea.
- Store your dried lavender buds in an airtight glass jar away from sunlight to preserve their potency and flavor for up to 1 year.
Hilda Sterner says
I hope you enjoy a relaxing cup of lavender tea!
Kelly Methey says
As I write, I am sipping on a cup of this aromatic, flavorful tea. I sweetened it with honey and it is delicious. The lavender aroma is wonderful and very soothing, as is the taste. The cardamom and citrus are a lovely addition, as is the pineapple weed.
Hilda, your tea is just what I needed to relax after a busy day.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Kelly! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 😍
Sarah R says
This was genuinely the best tea that I’ve ever had. It combines all of my favorite flavors. It’s warm, floral and downright medicinal in all the best ways. I’m glad that somebody finally engineered the perfect blend!
Hilda Sterner says
Wow, what a sweet comment and compliment! I really appreciate you taking the time to review this recipe! 😍 Thank you!