From Garden to Teacup: How to Brew Herbal Teas with Fresh May Harvests
There’s something downright magical about sipping a tea you’ve grown yourself—like your garden giving you a warm hug in a mug. May is the perfect time in Georgia to start harvesting fresh herbs for teas that soothe the soul and support your body. Whether you're brand-new to the herbal world or a seasoned steeping pro, this guide will walk you through the basics of how to harvest, prep, and brew herbal teas using the freshest medicinal plants of the season. Let’s turn your garden into your wellness pantry.
Fresh Herbs to Harvest for Tea Right Now
At Planted Wellness Co., we’re seeing some serious leaf love from these garden superstars this month:
1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Tastes like: Bright lemon with a gentle, sweet finish
Good for: Stress relief, better sleep, gentle digestive support
How to use: Pick fresh leaves in the morning, steep a handful in hot water for 5–7 minutes.
2. Holy Basil (Tulsi) (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Tastes like: Clove-spice meets minty green tea
Good for: Adaptogenic stress support, immune boosting
How to use: Harvest flowers + leaves, steep fresh or dried for 5–10 minutes.
3. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Tastes like: Apple blossom with a honeylike calm
Good for: Soothing nerves, promoting sleep, easing digestion
How to use: Use fresh or dried flower heads; steep 1–2 tsp per cup for 5 minutes.
4. Wild Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Tastes like: Earthy and green, slightly bitter
Good for: Liver support, skin detox, and digestive wellness
How to use: Use young leaves or dried roots for a grounding tea. Mix with lemon balm to mellow the bitterness!
How to Harvest & Prep Your Herbs for Tea
Harvest in the morning after dew has dried but before the sun is high—this locks in the best flavor and aroma. Rinse gently to remove dirt or bugs, and pat dry. Use fresh, or hang to dry in a dark, well-ventilated spot for 1–2 weeks. Store dried herbs in an airtight jar (brown glass is best). You can also use the herbs fresh from the plant!
Simple Garden Tea Recipes to Try
🌼 The “Chill the Heck Out” Tea
1 tsp dried lemon balm
1 tsp dried chamomile
Optional: a fresh holy basil leaf
Steep in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Sweeten with local honey.
🌿 Digest & De-Stress
1 part wild dandelion leaf
1 part lemon balm
½ part fresh mint
Steep 5 minutes, strain, sip slowly after meals.
💫 Tulsi Twilight
1 tbsp fresh holy basil
1 tsp lavender buds (if in bloom!)
Pinch of cinnamon
Steep for 10 minutes. Perfect evening wind-down.
Tea-Time Tips from the Planted Wellness Garden Bench
Use ceramic or glass mugs—metal can affect taste and energy (yes, we said energy). Cover your tea while it steeps to keep in the medicinal properties. Sip with intention. Herbal tea is wellness in liquid form—slow down and savor the ritual.
Final Pour
Making your own herbal tea is like bottling a bit of sunshine, and with the garden bursting into life this May, it’s the perfect time to begin. Even if you’re just steeping one leaf at a time, you’re building a ritual of care, connection, and wellness—and we are so here for that. 💚
If you want to grow your own tea garden check out our stock of these plants in the shop.
