The Holistic Minute with Michelle — Episode 2
Are you actually getting the most out of your botanical blends? The way you prepare your herbal tea matters more than most people realize. Watch Michelle explain the correct method — and why it makes all the difference.
@botanicalbodymichelle
Steeping vs. Simmering: Why It Matters
Most people treat herbal tea the same way they treat a green or black tea bag — hot water, a few minutes, done. For delicate florals like chamomile or peppermint, that works fine. But botanical blends built around roots, berries, and bark are a completely different category.
Roots like dandelion, ginger, astragalus, and turmeric have dense, fibrous cell walls. A quick steep in hot water barely scratches the surface — you’re getting maybe 20–30% of the available compounds. To fully extract the active constituents from these harder plant materials, you need heat sustained over time.
The Correct Method for Oceanside Apothecary Blends
All of our botanical blends are formulated to be prepared using the traditional simmering method:
- Measure: Use 1–2 teaspoons of blend per 16 oz of cold, filtered water.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) and maintain for 15–20 minutes. This is the decoction phase — where roots and berries release their active compounds.
- Steep: Remove from heat and steep an additional 10 minutes with the lid on. This allows the more volatile aromatic compounds from flowers and leaves to infuse without evaporating.
- Strain and enjoy: Strain through a fine mesh strainer or tea strainer into your cup. Sip slowly.
Why the Lid Matters
Keeping the lid on during steeping is a small detail with a real impact. Many of the aromatic and volatile compounds in herbs like peppermint, lavender, and chamomile are heat-sensitive and will evaporate into steam if left uncovered. The lid keeps them in your cup, not your kitchen air.
Can I Use a Tea Infuser or Bag?
You can use an infuser for convenience, but the simmering step is still important. Place your blend in a large infuser or reusable tea bag, simmer in the pot, then remove and allow to finish steeping with the lid on. Avoid small infuser balls that restrict the blend from fully expanding — the herbs need room to bloom and release their constituents.
Batch Brewing
If a daily simmering ritual feels like too much, batch brewing works beautifully. Make a 32–64 oz batch at the start of the week, store it in a glass jar in the refrigerator, and reheat by the cup as needed. Most botanical blends keep well refrigerated for 4–5 days.
The Bottom Line
Your botanical blend is only as good as your preparation. A few extra minutes of simmering unlocks the full spectrum of what these plants have to offer — and that’s the difference between a pleasant cup of tea and a genuinely therapeutic one.
Have questions about preparing a specific blend? Browse our full collection — each product page includes blend-specific preparation instructions.