Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 8 - Anise Hyssop

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a semi-woody, upright-growing plant that has leaves and tiny, lavender flowers that taste and smell like anise. This perennial is hardy in zones 4 to 9, and can reach 2 to 4 feet in height and about 1 foot in diameter. It blooms in the garden beginning mid to late summer with 4 to 6-inch dense spikes of tiny flowers.

Growing Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop grows easily from seed, either by starting indoors as you would tomatoes or by sprinkling outside in spring or fall. Your established anise hyssop will produce plenty of volunteer plants and are extremely easy to transplant. Plantings can be increased by root division, too. It will thrive in full sun in well-drained garden soil.

Harvesting, Drying and Storing

The leaves of the anise hyssop plant can be harvested throughout the season and dried for tea. Clip the leaves first from the bottom of the plant and work upwards. As with most herbs, do not harvest more than 60% of the plant at any one time. Store the dried leaves in an air tight container in a cool, dark place.

To harvest the seeds, clip a few inches below the seed head at the end of the season after all the flower petals have fallen off. Hang upside down in a paper bag until dry.

Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 2 - Found Recipes

Searching the Internet, I found some recipes for herbal tea blends at Straight From the Farm :



We will look at each ingredient is more depth in following posts, and perhaps come up with some blends of our own.

HERBAL TEA RECIPES
Created by Straight from the Farm

Floral Fantasy Tea
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Chamomile
1 part Stevia


Spiced Anise Tea
4 parts Anise Hyssop
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Vanilla Bean
1 part Cloves


Devoted Remembrance Tea
3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Marjoram
2 parts Anise Hyssop


Dark Rose Tea
2 parts Rose Hips
3 parts Anise Hyssop
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Bergamot


Aromatic Mint Tea
2 parts Spearmint
1 part Marjoram
1 part Sweet Woodruff
1 part Sage

Good Start Tea
2 parts Yarrow
2 parts Rose Hips
2 parts Lavender
1 part Marjoram
1 part Stevia


Chocolate Mint Tea
4 parts Chocolate Mint
3 parts Lavender
2 parts Sweet Woodruff
1 part Stevia
1 part Rose Hips


Black Licorice Tea
2 parts Anise Hyssop
2 parts Bergamot
2 parts Marjoram
2 parts Spearmint


Everything & More Tea
1 part Lavender
1 part Yarrow
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Stevia
1 part Spearmint
1 part Bergamot
1 part Rose Hips
1 part Calendula

Love Charm Tea
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Lavender
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Spearmint