7 Herbs Traditionally Used in a Cold-Season Tea Blend
When the weather turns cold, there is something deeply comforting about a steaming cup of herbal tea. Long before herbal tea became a modern wellness ritual, people around the world were preparing leaves, flowers, roots, bark, and berries as infusions and decoctions.
Traditional herbal practices have often combined several botanicals in a single tea, bringing together plants with different flavors, textures, aromas, and histories of use.
Some herbs are particularly well suited to cold-season blends. Mullein, burdock root, marshmallow root, lemongrass, catnip, tulsi, and South African honeybush each bring something distinctive to a cup.
These seven botanicals are also the ingredients in Bloom & Breathe, our farm-to-cup loose-leaf herbal tea created for the colder months.
But what makes these herbs interesting in a cold-season tea blend? And does the way you prepare them matter?
It does.
What Makes a Good Cold-Season Herbal Tea Blend?
A thoughtfully formulated herbal tea isn't necessarily about finding one "miracle" herb. Instead, a good blend considers the character of each botanical.
Some herbs contribute earthy depth. Others provide brightness or sweetness. Some have long histories of traditional herbal use, while others contribute primarily to the aroma and flavor of the finished cup.
There is also a practical consideration: different parts of plants respond differently to heat and steeping time. Leaves and delicate aerial parts generally work well as infusions. Roots and other dense plant materials may benefit from longer extraction.
Bloom & Breathe brings these different characteristics together in one loose-leaf blend.
1. Mullein: A Traditional Herbal Tea Favorite
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is one of the most recognizable plants in traditional European herbalism.
Mullein leaf is particularly interesting as a tea ingredient because of its soft botanical character. Its velvety leaves have made it a familiar wild plant throughout much of Europe and North America. Its naturally occurring mucilage gives the leaf a soothing, demulcent quality when brewed, while its saponins are thought to contribute to its traditional expectorant use. These properties help explain why mullein has remained a staple of traditional cold-season herbal preparations.
Mullein leaves are delicate, but their tiny hairs can be unpleasant in the finished cup, making thorough straining essential.
Covering the tea while it steeps helps preserve aromatic compounds that can escape with steam.
Bloom & Breathe contains mullein as one of its foundational botanicals.
2. Burdock Root: Earthy and Deep
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) has a long history of traditional use and is also valued as a food in several Asian culinary traditions. It's natural inulin may provide additional digestive tract support at a time when the body is focused on producing antibodies.
Unlike delicate leaves, burdock is a root—and that makes a difference when preparing it as tea. The European Medicines Agency includes burdock root among traditional herbal substances and has documented its use in herbal preparations. Because Bloom & Breathe contains both roots and delicate herbs, the blend is formulated to balance these different plant materials in a convenient loose-leaf preparation.
Burdock root contributes a deep, earthy character to an herbal blend and pairs particularly well with lighter, aromatic ingredients.
3. Marshmallow Root: A Traditional Mucilaginous Herb
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is another botanical with a long history in herbal traditions.
Despite sharing its name with the familiar confection, marshmallow root is an entirely different plant. The root contains mucilage, a naturally occurring group of water-soluble substances that gives properly prepared marshmallow-root preparations their characteristic slippery or soothing texture. The European Medicines Agency recognizes marshmallow root as a traditional herbal substance and documents its use in preparations including herbal teas and other mucilage-containing preparations.
Marshmallow root and water temperature
Marshmallow root is somewhat different from many herbs because traditional preparations may use maceration rather than a prolonged boil. If you're preparing marshmallow root by itself, follow the preparation directions supplied with the herb. A cooler or room-temperature maceration can be used when the goal is to extract its mucilage.
For a mixed herbal tea such as Bloom & Breathe, however, the preparation method should follow the blend's directions rather than treating every ingredient individually.
4. Lemongrass: Bright, Citrusy, and Aromatic
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) brings a completely different character to a cold-season herbal blend.
Lemongrass has a long history of use in traditional food and herbal practices across tropical and subtropical regions. Reviews of Cymbopogon species document its use as a tea or decoction in multiple traditional systems. Traditionally used in herbal preparations for seasonal respiratory discomfort, lemongrass provides aromatic compounds such as citral and a bright, refreshing flavor. Its naturally occurring compounds have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory research.
From a flavor perspective, lemongrass is particularly useful in a blend because it prevents the deeper root ingredients from making the cup feel too heavy. Its bright lemon-like aroma and flavor provide a refreshing contrast to earthy roots such as burdock and softer botanicals such as mullein.
5. Catnip: More Than a Cat's Favorite Herb
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is perhaps the most unexpected ingredient in Bloom & Breathe.
Most people know catnip because of its effect on cats. But, humans have used catnip as an aromatic herb and tea ingredient for centuries. In a tea blend, catnip contributes a gentle herbal aroma that complements the more pronounced notes of lemongrass and tulsi.
Traditionally used as a warming, soothing herb during cold and fever seasons, catnip has a long history in Western and Appalachian herbal traditions for seasonal respiratory complaints. It was traditionally valued as a gentle diaphoretic and calming herb, making it a natural companion to the more specifically respiratory botanicals in this blend.
The leaves and flowering tops of catnip have been documented in traditional herbal literature, including use as an aromatic tea herb. And yes—the catnip in Bloom & Breathe is there for the humans.
6. Tulsi: The Revered Herb of Ayurveda
Tulsi, also known as holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), has an especially rich cultural history.
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic herbal preparations for coughs, colds, and respiratory complaints, tulsi brings an aromatic combination of naturally occurring plant compounds, including eugenol and flavonoids. Laboratory research has identified antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in tulsi, making it a particularly fitting botanical for a traditional cold-season herbal blend.
Rather than dominating the blend, tulsi helps give Bloom & Breathe its warm, aromatic complexity. Tulsi has a distinctive aromatic flavor—somewhere between sweet basil, clove, and warm spice. That makes it an especially interesting companion to lemongrass and honeybush.
7. South African Honeybush: Naturally Sweet and Caffeine-Free
Honeybush may be the ingredient that gives Bloom & Breathe its most unexpected character. Made from species of Cyclopia native to South Africa, honeybush is a traditional South African herbal tea with a naturally sweet, honey-like aroma.
Honeybush tea has been produced in South Africa for generations and is valued for its pleasant flavor and aroma. Unlike traditional tea made from Camellia sinensis, honeybush is naturally caffeine-free. That makes it particularly useful as the foundation of a cold-season herbal blend intended to be enjoyed throughout the day or as part of an evening tea ritual.
Honeybush is more than a naturally sweet herbal infusion, however. The leaves and stems of Cyclopia species contain a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds, particularly polyphenols, including mangiferin, isomangiferin, and hesperidin. These compounds are known for their antioxidant activity, and researchers have investigated honeybush for its potential anti-inflammatory and other beneficial biological effects. While laboratory and preliminary research is promising, more human research is needed to determine how these properties translate into specific health benefits.
Honeybush also helps round out the stronger herbal notes in Bloom & Breathe with a naturally mellow sweetness.
Why These Seven Herbs Work Together
The beauty of Bloom & Breathe isn't that it relies on one famous herb.
It's the balance among seven very different botanicals.
- Mullein contributes a soft, traditional herbal character that .
- Burdock root provides earthy depth while supporting the gut.
- Marshmallow root contributes its distinctive mucilaginous character that helps to move mucus from the body.
- Lemongrass adds brightness and citrus-like aroma while providing antimicrobial and anti-oxidant compounds.
- Catnip adds a gentle herbal note while being a gentle diaphoretic that calms and soothes.
- Tulsi brings warmth and aromatic complexity while providing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits.
- South African honeybush provides a naturally sweet, rounded finish with anti-oxidant benefits.
Together, they create a cup that is earthy without being heavy, aromatic without being overpowering, and naturally sweet without requiring added sugar. That balance is what makes Bloom & Breathe different from a simple single-herb tea.
How to Steep a Cold-Season Herbal Tea
Because herbal blends can contain several different plant parts, preparation matters.
For most loose-leaf herbal blends containing leaves, flowers, and aromatic herbs, a covered infusion is a good starting point.
Recommended starting method
Water temperature: 195–205°F
Steeping time: 10–15 minutes
Amount: Follow the serving recommendation on your tea package
Cover while steeping: Yes
Strain: Thoroughly before drinking
If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring your water to a boil and allow it to cool for a minute or two before pouring.
Why cover your herbal tea?
Some of the aromatic compounds in herbs are volatile, meaning they can escape into the air with steam. Covering your cup or teapot while the tea steeps helps keep more of those aromas in the infusion. It also makes the ritual itself a little more enjoyable: lift the lid and let that first burst of herbal fragrance become part of the experience.
What About Roots Like Burdock and Marshmallow?
Roots require a little more consideration than delicate leaves.
A traditional decoction involves gently simmering tougher plant materials in water for a longer period, often around 15–20 minutes.
Marshmallow root is somewhat different because traditional preparations may use maceration to draw out its mucilage.
When using a professionally formulated loose-leaf blend such as Bloom & Breathe, however, follow the preparation instructions provided with the blend rather than trying to prepare each ingredient separately.
The blend has already been formulated with the different characteristics of its ingredients in mind.
Loose Leaf Tea Makes the Ritual Different
There are many reasons why loose-leaf herbal tea feels different from dropping a tea bag into a mug.
~ You can see the botanicals.
~ You can smell them before the water even touches them.
~ You can watch the leaves and roots unfurl as they steep.
~ And you can take the few extra minutes required to make a cup intentionally.
~ For a farm-to-cup tea company, that matters.
At Petal & Herb Tea Company, we believe herbal tea should feel like more than a beverage. It can be a small daily ritual that connects us with plants, seasons, and the simple act of taking a moment for ourselves.
Bloom & Breathe: A Farm-to-Cup Cold-Season Herbal Tea
Bloom & Breathe brings together seven distinctive botanicals:
Mullein • Burdock Root • Marshmallow Root • Lemongrass • Catnip • Tulsi • South African Honeybush
The result is a naturally caffeine-free loose-leaf herbal tea with an earthy, aromatic, citrusy, and gently sweet character. It's a blend created for the colder months—and for those quiet moments when a warm cup of tea is exactly what you want.
Shop Bloom & Breathe
A Note About Traditional Herbal Use
The herbs discussed in this article have long histories of traditional use in different cultures. Traditional use does not necessarily mean that modern clinical research has established the same effects, and the information provided here is educational rather than medical advice.
Herbal products may interact with medications or may not be appropriate for everyone. If you are pregnant or nursing, take prescription medications, have a medical condition, or have questions about using a particular herb, consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
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References
1. European Medicines Agency — Mullein Flower (Verbasci flos)
The European Medicines Agency's herbal monograph documents the traditional use of mullein flower and provides information about its historical herbal applications.
European Medicines Agency — Mullein Flower
2. European Medicines Agency — Marshmallow Root (Althaeae radix)
The EMA's monograph identifies Althaea officinalis root and documents traditional preparations, including mucilage-containing preparations and herbal tea.
European Medicines Agency — Marshmallow Root
3. European Medicines Agency — Burdock Root (Arctii radix)
The EMA's herbal medicines database provides information on Arctium lappa root and its traditional herbal use.
European Medicines Agency — Burdock Root
4. Khosla, M. K. — Sacred Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in Traditional Medicine and Pharmacology
This review examines the history and traditional significance of tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine.
PubMed Central — Sacred Tulsi in Traditional Medicine and Pharmacology
5. Jamshidi, N. & Cohen, M. M. — The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans
This systematic review discusses the history of tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine and reviews available human research.
PubMed Central — The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans
6. Ethnopharmacology, Chemical Composition and Functions of Cymbopogon citratus
This review examines the traditional, culinary, and ethnopharmacological history of lemongrass.
PubMed Central — Cymbopogon citratus Review
7. Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria
This review provides botanical and traditional-use information concerning catnip (Nepeta cataria).
PubMed Central — Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria
8. Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) — A Review
This review describes honeybush as a South African herbal tea, including its history, botanical origins, flavor, and composition.
PubMed — Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) Review
9. South African Herbal Teas: Rooibos and Honeybush — A Review
This peer-reviewed review examines the history, traditional use, botanical characteristics, and chemistry of South African herbal teas including honeybush.
PubMed — South African Herbal Teas Review
