Cozy Herbal Teas to Welcome Fall

There’s something magical about the start of fall. The crisp mornings, golden leaves, and the excuse to wrap your hands around a warm mug of cozy herbal teas. While pumpkin spice gets all the hype, there’s another way to celebrate the season—simple, nourishing, cozy herbal teas to welcome Fall made with herbs that are as beneficial as they are delicious.

Let’s explore a few amazing herbs that are perfect for Fall sipping, and then we’ll dive into the difference between brewing for pleasure vs. for medicinal support.

Herbs to Brew This Fall

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, bark)

Sweet, warming, and a classic fall favorite. Cinnamon not only adds a cozy spice note, but it’s also been studied for its ability to support healthy blood sugar levels and digestion (Anderson et al., 2003).

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, flowers)

Soft, floral, and calming. Chamomile is the go-to evening tea for relaxation. It has mild sedative properties and may help support sleep and digestion (McKay & Blumberg, 2006).

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, leaves)

Refreshing yet soothing, peppermint tea is great after heavy meals. It can help ease digestive upset and has natural cooling, uplifting qualities (McKay & Blumberg, 2006).

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis, leaves)

Mildly lemony with a hint of mint, lemon balm is often called the “calming herb.” It’s supportive for stress, mood, and even focus, making it a wonderful back-to-school or back-to-routine fall herb (Kennedy et al., 2004).

Rose Hips (Rosa spp., fruit)

Bright, tart, and rich in vitamin C, rose hips add a lovely red hue to your tea. Perfect for supporting the immune system as the weather cools (Wenzig et al., 2008).

Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, leaves)

Known in Ayurveda as the “queen of herbs,” holy basil is deeply aromatic with a peppery, clove-like flavor. It’s considered an adaptogen, helping the body cope with stress and support resilience, in other words it is a wonderful daily tonic that supports your whole body. (Jamshidi & Cohen, 2017).

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra, root)

Sweet, earthy, and soothing to the throat. Licorice root is often used to ease coughs and respiratory irritation while also supporting adrenal balance and digestion (Fiore et al., 2005). Do not overuse as it can raise blood pressure. A little is all you need.

Tea for Pleasure vs. Tea for Wellness

One of the beauties of herbal tea is its flexibility. You can brew it for pleasure—a light, comforting cup to warm your hands. Or you can brew it for medicinal support—a stronger infusion meant to deliver more active plant compounds.

• Tea for Pleasure (Light Brew)

  • Amount: 1 tsp dried herb per 8 oz hot water

  • Steep Time: 3–10 minutes (cover to retain volatile oils)

  • Best For: Enjoying flavor, light relaxation, hydration

• Tea for Wellness - Medicinal Purposes (Stronger Brew / Infusion / Decoctions)

  • Amount: 1–2 Tbsp dried herb per 8–10 oz hot water

  • Steep Time: 10–20 minutes (covered to retain volatile oils)

  • Best For: Digestive support, sleep aid, immune boosting, stress relief

Tip: Always cover your cup while steeping to keep the beneficial compounds from escaping with the steam!

*Learn more about decoctions in this Herbal Tea ebook.

Measuring Herbs for Teas with the Part Method

When you see herbal tea recipes, they don’t always list measurements in teaspoons or tablespoons. Instead, many herbalists use the part method. This flexible system makes it easy to scale recipes up or down without worrying about exact amounts.

What is a “Part”? A part is simply a unit of measurement. It can be any size container you choose—such as a teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, or even a scoop—depending on how much tea you want to make. The key is that you stay consistent throughout the recipe.

For example:

• If 1 part = 1 teaspoon, then “2 parts chamomile and 1 part peppermint” means 2 teaspoons chamomile + 1 teaspoon peppermint.

• If 1 part = 1 cup, then the same recipe becomes 2 cups chamomile + 1 cup peppermint.

This way, you can make a single cup or a large jar of tea blend using the same recipe. The following Fall Herbal Tea Blend recipes uses this part method so you can customize the amount to make.

Fun Fall Herbal Tea Blends

• Cozy Cinnamon Rose Hip Blend

  • 1 part cinnamon, 1 part rose hips, touch of honey. A tart and spicy blend rich in antioxidants.

• Sweet Dreams Tea

  • 2 parts chamomile, 1 part lemon balm, 1 part peppermint. Perfect for unwinding before bedtime.

• Morning Focus Tea

  • 1 part lemon balm, 1 part peppermint, pinch of cinnamon. A refreshing way to start your day.

• Stress-Soothing Tulsi & Licorice Blend

  • 2 parts holy basil, 1 part licorice root, 1 part peppermint. A sweet, grounding tea that supports calm energy and eases stress.

    
    

Must-Have Accessories for Fall Tea Lovers

To make your tea experience effortless (and more fun), here are a few accessories worth having on hand:

Stainless Steel Tea Infuser or Strainer – Perfect for loose leaf herbs so you can ditch the tea bags and enjoy fuller flavor and control the herbs freshness and quality.

Electric Kettle with Temperature Control – Herbs steep best at different temperatures. A kettle that lets you adjust settings helps you avoid burning delicate leaves like green tea or chamomile.

French Press or Mason Jar – Great for larger infusions, especially when you’re making medicinal-strength teas.

Insulated Mug or Thermos – Keeps your tea warm while you wander outside to enjoy the autumn leaves.

In Closing

Fall is about slowing down, cozying up, and savoring small rituals. A warm cup of herbal tea can be more than just a drink—it can be a celebration of the season and a gentle way to nourish your body. Whether you’re brewing for pure enjoyment or for extra wellness support, herbs offer a world of flavor and comfort in every sip.

So grab your favorite mug, steep something simple, and welcome fall with a smile. Comment below with your favorite Fall herbal tea blend. Let's create a long list of herbal tea recipes to share!

References

• Anderson, R. A., Broadhurst, C. L., Polansky, M. M., Schmidt, W. F., Khan, A., Flanagan, V. P., … Graves, D. J. (2003). Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-A polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52(1), 65–70. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf034916b

• Fiore, C., Eisenhut, M., Krausse, R., Ragazzi, E., Pellati, D., Armanini, D., & Bielenberg, J. (2005). Antiviral effects of Glycyrrhiza species. Phytotherapy Research, 19(9), 709–724. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1748

• Jamshidi, N., & Cohen, M. M. (2017). The clinical efficacy and safety of Tulsi in humans: A systematic review of the literature. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 9217567. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9217567

• Kennedy, D. O., Little, W., Scholey, A. B. (2004). Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 607–613. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000132877.72833.71

• McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.) and chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytotherapy Research, 20(8), 619–633. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1936

• Wenzig, E. M., Kunert, O., Bauer, R. (2008). Rosa canina fruit: constituents, pharmacological activities, quality control, and use in traditional medicine. Phytomedicine, 15(10), 777–790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.06.003