Creating a Tea Garden: Part 1 – History and Tea Facts

An interesting tidbit

Did you know herbal teas are not actually tea? In fact, unless your brew contains tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, a drink made up of only herbs and flowers is known as a tisane.

Sipping a tisane just sounds fancy, doesn’t it?

The history and etymology of the word tisane (pronounced tee-zahn), varies. Some say tisane comes from the Greek word, ptisanē, which refers to a medicinal drink made from barley-soaked water. While others believe the French invented the word, saying Ti (tea) and Sans (French for without) creates the meaning, “tea without tea.”

Documentation about the genesis of herbal tisane is very limited. There is one Chinese legend about a man named Shennog, known as the “divine farmer,” who lived from 2737 BC to 2697 BC. He discovered the infusion of herbs when he was drinking hot water outdoors and some leaves from a nearby tree blew into his cup. He took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious concoction. One of the earliest writings about tisane was recorded in a medical book during the third century AD. It was written by Hua T’o, a Chinese physician and surgeon, who was a pioneer in the field of medicine. He is known for creating some of the first herbal treatments and anesthetics by decocting medicinal plants.

Many tisanes found their beginning in Egypt during 1550 BC. Chamomile was recorded to be enjoyed by Egyptians in the Ebers Papyrus. It was used to honor the gods, embalm the dead, and cure the sick. Herbs like dill and basil were also blended into tisanes to aid digestion and treat heart issues. It was not until 1070 BC that herbal tisanes became a standard beverage for personal enjoyment.

In the 16th century, merchants from Portugal imported tea and tisanes from China to Western Europe. By the 17th century, tea evolved into one of Europe’s most popular commodities, most specifically in Britain. The British made a profitable business of transporting teas and tisanes to Indian consumers and later to America when they explored the New World. Today, tisanes are gaining popularity in tea shops and have become an alternative to expensive medications.

If you want just Black Tea

Buy Camellia sinensis seeds for best results. There are two main types of tea plants. Sinensis is recommended because it is hardy and you can make black, green, and white tea from its leaves. You can buy seeds from the local nursery or order them online.

• You will need about 2 to 3 square feet (1 square meter) of space once the sinensis begins to grow.
• Assamica is another type of tea plant. It’s not recommended to grow this type of tea plant unless you live in a tropical climate. Also, this is a “large tree” plant, so it requires at least 5 feet (1.5 m) once it begins to grow. You can make the same type of tea from this plant as you would from the sinensis.

Nearly all of the plants on this list have multiple uses beyond tea.

Having an herbal tea garden provides you with many beneficial plants that are easily incorporated into a natural lifestyle.

Most of the plants on this list make a beautiful addition to your landscaping or permascape. If you have space and want to confine your tea garden to one area, you’ll have a beautiful garden to stroll.

However, you can plant the suggested herbs and flowers all over your property, fill in a sparse area, or add some color to an otherwise bland spot.

A number of the plants on this list are popular with pollinators. As the global population of pollinators continues to decrease, it’s more important than ever to provide them with food sources.

An opportunity to help lays right in your backyard, and you both get to reap the benefits.

You’ll note that nearly all of the plants that make excellent teas are perennials. This means less work overtime, as you won’t need to replant your garden every year, but rather maintain it.

And best of all, with so many plants at your fingertips, you can pick a custom brew to suit whatever taste you happen to be craving. You don’t have to dry your plants first.

Take a wander through your garden with a mug and fill it with the fresh herbs and flowers that strike your fancy, add boiling water, and steep to enjoy. Beat that Starbucks.

Included in the listings below are the Botanical names as well as 2 of the many health benefits of consuming the tea, as well as a basic recipe for making the tea.

Be advised the statement May help… is just that. Be sure you are able to safely ingest the herbs before doing so.

The teas were broken down into categories of what part of plant is used to make tea in parts 2, 3 & 4