5 Safe & Delicious Herbal Tea Blends to Brew for Your Kid
Parents who love drinking tea and herbal teas themselves unknowingly turn to them, so what better way to make sure they are safe and worry-free? Offering your child a cup of herbal tea, if done with awareness, is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. But we must be careful because some herbs may be too strong or allergenic for children. Many sources recommend that herbs such as chamomile or peppermint are usually safe in mild doses.
In this article, we’ll explore five simple, safe, and delicious herbal blends, from hot herbal drinks to cold herbal mocktails, plus how to brew them properly so children love drinking them.
5 Safe and Delicious Herbal Tea Blends for Children (Cheatsheet)
There are several safe and delicious herbal drinks for children. We’ll explore them in this article, but for an overview before moving on, I have included the cheatsheet below.
| HERBAL TEA | HOT OR COLD? | HEALTH BENEFIT | FLAVOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamomile and lemon balm | Hot | Relaxing & helps with sleeping | Mild, lemony |
| Mint and ginger mocktail | Cold / Mocktail | Stomach soothing & cooling effect | Cool, mildly sour |
| Red rose and sour tea | Cold / Mocktail | Source of vitamin C & immune-boosting | Fruity, slightly sour |
| Sekanjabin and mint | Cold / Mocktail | Perfect for hot summer weather | Sweet and slightly sour |
| Borage and pineapple | Cold / Mocktail | Alternative to store-bought juice Mild & immune-boosting | Sweet, fruity |
#1 Chamomile and Lemon Balm Tea
This combination is great for nights or when your child needs to relax. As I said before, chamomile is known for its calming and sleep-inducing properties, which are often considered one of the safest herbs for children. Lemon balm also gives the drink a mild lemon flavor that promotes peace of mind.
When you brew these two herbs together, you get a mild, warm drink that has both a nice smell and a mild taste that children may like.
Recipe:
- Add a teaspoon of dried chamomile plus half a teaspoon of lemon balm into a glass of hot water.
- Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Then strain and let it cool so that your child can drink it.
#2 Mint and Ginger Tea
Mint & ginger tea is a cold, summer drink for children. Mint has a cool, pleasant flavor that is often recommended for digestion and upset stomachs. Ginger can also help soothe the stomach in small amounts, although its taste can be pungent if consumed in large amounts.
When you combine mint and ginger with lemon slices, you get a drink with a balanced, cool, sour taste that is a better alternative to industrially sweetened drinks.
Recipe:
- Put a few mint leaves plus a thin slice of ginger in cold water and refrigerate for half an hour.
- When serving, add a few slices of lemon.
- If the child is over one year old, add a little honey or natural syrup.
#3 Red Rose and Sour Tea
This herbal blend has an attractive color and a fruity and mild taste, which is very interesting for children. Rosehip is a natural source of vitamin C and gives a mild, fruity flavor to the drink. Sour tea or hibiscus also has a pleasant red color and a slightly sour flavor that, when combined with rosehip, gives the drink a good appearance and taste.
The combination of these two is a healthy and colorful drink that children love.
Recipe:
- Brew a spoon of rosehip plus half a spoon of sour tea in hot water.
- Strain and let it cool.
- Serve with ice and a little honey if necessary.
#4 Sekanjabin and Mint Drink
Sekanjabin or sekandebin is a traditional Iranian drink that includes vinegar, sugar, and mint. You can easily buy the syrup from Amazon. This drink is a delightful option for children in its lighter and controlled mixture. When mixed with cold or sparkling water, it can be considered a cool and sweet drink. When serving, add a few fresh mint leaves to enhance the taste.
Recipe:
- Pour a spoonful of Sekanjabin syrup into a glass,
- Add cold or sparkling water,
- Add a few mint leaves, a lemon slice and ice before serving.
#5 Borage and Pineapple Drink
Borage, also known as White Violet in some regions, is a popular herb in Iranian herbal tea culture and has a very mild taste. When this plant is combined with pineapple, the sweet taste of the fruit becomes more dominant, and the drink becomes more attractive to children. This tea is definitely a healthy alternative to store-bought sugary drinks.
Recipe:
- Brew half a spoonful of borage with hot water and let it cool.
- Then mix it with pineapple juice or fresh pineapple pieces and ice and serve.
Conclusion
Choosing herbal tea for children requires precision, balance, and knowledge. The combinations introduced in this article, chamomile and lemon balm, mint and ginger, red rose and sour tea, ginger with mint, and borage with pineapple, are gentle options that combine flavor, attractive appearance, and a touch of herbal properties. Hot or lukewarm drinks are suitable for the evening or night, and cold or mocktail options for hot days. But the important point is that any child may be sensitive to an herb or dislike the taste, so the best way is to try a small amount first. Also, if your child has a specific disease or is taking medication, be sure to consult a doctor before using these teas.
