Growing herbs and flowers for teas can be done just about anywhere.  It doesn't matter if you live in an apartment, a house with a small yard, or on some sprawling acreage in the country.  Herbs will grow quite nicely in pots, along buildings, in garden borders etc.

First you have to decide where you will be growing your herbs.  Will it be in pots on a patio or porch, or in borders along garden beds?  (Since I like flowers and plants, I like to grow things that are not only beautiful, but also useful, rather than just growing for decoration.  That way, I can enjoy my plants in different forms all year long.)  Another great way to grow an instant herb garden without a lot of mess or work, is to buy bags of potting soil or top soil, then cut an "X" in several areas of the bag, then plant the herb or flower.  Just be sure to put drainage holes in the bottom of the bags.  Mulch can even be put around and over the tops of the bags to make them look nicer.

Okay, now that you have decided where, you now have to decide what kind of herbs you will be growing.  Different herbs do different things.  What kinds of remedies do you want to have on hand?  People have been making teas from plant leaves, flowers, stems, bark and roots for thousands of years for their health benefits.  For instance, peppermint tea can help ease headaches, pain and is regarded as a general remedy for lots of things, including stomach discomfort.  Herbal teas are actually herbal drinks, and that means that they can actually serve as drugless remedies for healing.  You can drink them hot, or iced.  You can make teas that help with stress, teas that help build your immune system, teas that help you feel calmer and less nervous, teas that help with insomnia, and the list goes on.  The great thing about teas is that they are liquid and are absorbed very easily, and can even help with underlying weaknesses in the body.  They are also very gentle.

Aches and Pains:  Chamomile, Marshmallow, Hops, Lavender, Valerian

Acid Reflux:  Catnip, Spearmint, Slippery Elm

Anxiety:  Hops, Lemon Balm, Rosemary

Aphrodesiac:  Fenugreek, Ginseng, Rose Hips

Arthritis:  Alfalfa/Peppermint, Chamomile, Feverfew, Nettle, White Willow, Wood Betony, Juniper Berries

Body Odor & Bad Breath:  Peppermint, Spearmint

Bowels:  Flax, Slippery Elm

Colds:  Echinacea, Elder, Peppermint, Plantain (congestion)

Coughs:  Anise, Elder, Peppermint, Slippery Elm, Wild Cherry

Cramps:  Chamomile

Depression:  Lavender, Lemon Balm, Milk Thistle, St. John's Wort

Digestion: Catnip, Fennel, Feverfew, Hops, Meadowsweet, Slippery Elm, Yarrow

Gas:  Catnip, Fennel, Peppermint

Headaches:  Feverfew, Lavender, Parsley, Peppermint, Rosemary

Heartburn:  Catnip, Peppermint, Sage, Slippery Elm

Insomnia:  Catnip, Chamomile, Hops, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Valerian

Migranes:  Feverfew, Lavender

Nausea:  Spearmint, Peppermint

Nervousness:  Hops, Lavender, Motherwort, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Scullcap, St. John's Wort

Stress:  Catnip, Peppermint, Vervain

Sore Throat:  Bilberry, Elder, Goldenseal, Lavender, Thyme

Toothache:  Peppermint

Vomiting:  Chamomile, Lavender, Plantain

The best time to gather herbs is when they are blooming with flowers (if they are a flowering herb).  This is when they have the most potency.  Cut the herbs and make a bouquet, then use rubber bands to secure the stems together.  Hang the herbs/flowers in a cool, dark place until they are dry (this could take several months, depending on the herb).

When the herbs are dry, crumble them and store them in labeled jars.  You can even make your own tea blends so that you will always have your favorite on hand.  Ways you can use the dried herbs for teas are in an infuser (spoon type, or strainer type), tea balls, or you can put the herbs directly into hot water and then strain them out after it is the strength you desire.  Note:  Please do not microwave water for tea, it will not be good for you or your herbs for the teas.