Gentle Brews to Warm the Body and Soothe the Soul
By Jenny Barnett

When the air turns crisp and the sun lingers low, there’s something sacred about the ritual of tea. Not the rushed kind you steep between errands, but the slow kind, made from herbs you’ve grown, gathered, or thoughtfully sourced. The kind that steams up your windows and draws you closer to the woodstove. The kind that nourishes more than your throat.

In the winter, our bodies crave warmth from within. Herbal teas are a gentle and time-honored way to give the immune system a boost, ease tension, aid digestion, and offer comfort in the quiet.

Below are four nourishing winter tea blends, all simple and steeped in tradition, plus the tools and small luxuries that make them easy to enjoy all day long.

1. Nettle-Chamomile Tea for Deep Nourishment

This gentle tonic supports the nervous system and replenishes minerals lost to stress or busy seasons. Nettle is rich in iron and calcium, while chamomile calms the stomach and mind.

How to Brew:
Watch this simple video recipe →

• 1 tsp dried nettle
• 1 tsp dried chamomile
• Steep for 10–15 minutes in hot (not boiling) water
• Optional: add honey and a splash of lemon

When to Drink: Afternoon or early evening, especially after outdoor chores or before a warm bath.

2. Ginger-Lemon Balm Tea for Immune Support

This zesty tea warms the core, soothes the gut, and can help clear congestion. Lemon balm is a gentle mood-lifter and calming herb, a balm for frazzled winter nerves.

How to Brew:
Recipe via Stone Pier Press →

• 1 tsp fresh or dried lemon balm
• 3–5 thin slices fresh ginger
• Steep 10+ minutes
• Optional: add a spoonful of raw honey

When to Drink: In the morning to kickstart the day, or after meals to support digestion.

3. Rosehip & Orange Peel Tea for Vitamin C

This citrusy floral blend is a cold-season classic. Rosehips are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants; orange peel adds brightness and digestive aid.

How to Brew:
Moji Herbals guide →

• 1 tsp crushed rosehips
• 1 tsp dried orange peel
• Optional: pinch of cinnamon or a whole clove
• Simmer on the stove for 10–15 minutes, then strain

When to Drink: Midday or anytime you’re needing a boost without caffeine.

4. Lavender-Chamomile for Calm & Sleep

This floral blend is gentle on the senses; the ultimate wind-down cup for evening or post-bath stillness.

How to Brew:
Wholehearted Eats tutorial →

• 1 tsp dried lavender buds
• 1 tsp chamomile flowers
• Steep in hot water for 5–7 minutes
• Optional: oat milk or vanilla for a dreamy bedtime tea

When to Drink: 1 hour before bed or during quiet evening reading.

How to Keep Your Tea Warm All Day

There’s nothing more homestead than a kettle gently steaming on the woodstove. But if your lifestyle is a little busier (or you’re splitting your time between barn chores and Zoom calls), here are some smart options:

• Use a stovetop-safe kettle on the woodstove or range
• Try a cast iron tea warmer to keep steeped tea warm on the table
• Embrace modern ease with a heated mug like this one from Ember, perfect for desk or kitchen duty
• Pre-warm your mug by swirling hot water before pouring your tea

Tools & Treats for the Tea Ritual

Make your tea moments beautiful and easy with simple additions:

• Stainless Steel Tea Strainer – Republic of Tea
  Reusable, clean, and wide enough to steep loose herbs with ease.
• Herbal Tea Sampler Kit – Mulberry Creek Traditionals
  Great for beginners or gifting, Mulberry Creek’s blends are organic and healing.
• Hand-thrown Stoneware Mug – Etsy
  Rugged, earthy, and holds warmth like a hug.
• Heated Mug – Ember at Williams Sonoma
  For those who forget their tea until it’s cold (guilty as charged).

Steeped in Intention

Herbal teas aren’t just drinks, they’re rituals. When you pause to steep, to breathe in the steam, to sip slowly. You’re reconnecting to your own rhythm. To the seasons. To slowness.

So this winter, make it a point to keep a mug nearby. Let the kettle become a background hum to your homemaking. And let every herb remind you that care can be simple, fragrant, and warm.

— Jenny