India has had a relationship with herbal teas for over 5,000 years. Long before "wellness drinks" became a global trend, Indian households were brewing tulsi, ginger, turmeric and ashwagandha as part of daily life. In 2026, herbal tea remains a favourite ritual across the country — valued for its flavour, its tradition, and the simple pleasure of a warm cup.
This guide covers 9 popular herbal teas found in Indian households, what each one tastes like, how to brew them, and what to look for when buying or ordering them in India.
Why Herbal Teas Hold a Special Place in India
India is the world's second-largest tea producer and one of its largest consumers. Alongside everyday masala chai, herbal teas (tisanes) — blends of roots, leaves, flowers and bark brewed without tea leaves — occupy their own space in Indian kitchens: naturally caffeine-free, aromatic, and rooted in tradition.
Interest in herbal and wellness teas has grown steadily in recent years, with more households exploring blends beyond the everyday cup of chai as part of a broader interest in mindful, flavour-led drinking.
9 Traditional Herbal Teas in India — At a Glance
| Tea | Flavour Profile | Traditional Use | Best Time to Drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsi Ginger Tea | Warming, peppery | Everyday household ritual | Morning |
| Ashwagandha Tea | Earthy, slightly bitter | Ayurvedic evening ritual | Evening / before sleep |
| Turmeric (Haldi) Tea | Golden, earthy | Traditional morning drink | Morning with black pepper |
| Giloy Kadha | Bitter, herbal | Traditional Ayurvedic kadha | Morning, empty stomach |
| Chamomile Tea | Soft, floral, apple-like | Evening wind-down cup | 30 min before bed |
| Peppermint Tea | Cool, minty | After-meal digestif | After meals |
| Moringa Tea | Nutty, green | Everyday household tea | Morning |
| Hibiscus Tea | Tart, cranberry-like | Iced summer favourite | Afternoon (cold or hot) |
| Lemon Ginger Tea | Zesty, citrus | Everyday morning ritual | Morning, empty stomach |
1. Tulsi Ginger Tea — a household staple
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is called the Queen of Herbs in Ayurveda and is among the most-researched herbs in that tradition — it has a long-standing place in Indian homes. Paired with ginger, it brews into a warming, slightly peppery cup that many households treat as part of their daily routine.
How to brew: Boil 6–8 fresh tulsi leaves + 1 inch grated ginger in 300ml water for 5 minutes. Strain and add honey. Many people prefer it without milk, as it keeps the flavour cleaner and sharper.
2. Ashwagandha Tea — a grounding evening ritual
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most heavily studied herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, and one of the most recognised in the tradition more broadly. In the cup, it's valued for its earthy, slightly bitter character, typically taken warm in the evening as part of a wind-down routine rather than as a morning pick-me-up.
How to brew: Simmer ½ tsp ashwagandha root powder in 250ml water for 8 minutes. Add cinnamon and a little honey. Best on a full stomach — some people find it a little strong on an empty one.
3. Turmeric (Haldi) Tea — a golden household classic
Turmeric's active compound, curcumin, is one of the most extensively studied natural compounds in the world. In the cup, turmeric tea has a warm, earthy, faintly peppery flavour and a distinctive golden colour that has made it a fixture in Indian kitchens for generations.
Flavour tip: A pinch of black pepper is traditionally added alongside turmeric — it rounds out the taste and is a classic pairing in Indian cooking as much as in tea.
How to brew: ½ tsp turmeric powder + pinch of black pepper + ½ tsp coconut oil + 300ml hot water + honey. Stir well and drink warm.
4. Giloy Kadha — a traditional Ayurvedic preparation
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) — called Amrita in Ayurveda — is one of the more widely studied plants in Ayurvedic medicine. It's traditionally simmered into a bitter, herbal kadha and has a long history in Indian households as part of seasonal routines.
It remains one of the more distinctive tastes on this list — bitter and earthy — and is usually taken diluted with honey or jaggery to soften the flavour.
5. Chamomile Tea — a gentle wind-down cup
Chamomile has been studied more than almost any other herbal infusion. In the cup, its soft, floral, faintly apple-like flavour has made it one of the most popular evening teas worldwide, and its mild character means it's well tolerated by most people, even those new to herbal tea.
It pairs naturally with a quiet moment before bed, and is one of the gentlest herbal teas to start with if you're exploring the category for the first time.
6–9. Peppermint, Moringa, Hibiscus & Lemon Ginger
Peppermint tea has a long research history around digestive comfort, and a cool, refreshing menthol flavour that makes it a popular after-meal cup in many Indian households. Moringa tea comes from one of the most nutrient-dense, well-studied leaves in traditional nutrition, with a nutty, green, slightly earthy taste as a common everyday brew. Hibiscus tea has been widely studied, particularly around blood pressure, and is tart and cranberry-like, equally good hot or over ice. Lemon ginger tea is a simple, zesty morning cup — bright lemon against warming ginger.
How to Choose a Herbal Tea for the Occasion
- A warming morning cup: Tulsi ginger tea or turmeric tea
- Winding down at night: Chamomile or ashwagandha tea
- After a heavy meal: Peppermint tea
- An easy everyday rotation: Lemon ginger (morning) + chamomile (evening)
- A refreshing iced option: Hibiscus or moringa tea
3 Common Herbal Tea Brewing Mistakes
- Adding too much sugar: A heavy hand with sugar tends to mask the herb's natural flavour. Raw honey (added after the tea cools slightly) or jaggery is a gentler alternative.
- Boiling for too long: Over-boiling flattens the aroma and can turn a delicate blend bitter. Most herbal teas are best steeped at around 90°C for 4–6 minutes, not hard-boiled for 15.
- Adding milk to delicate blends: Milk can overpower the subtler flavours in teas like tulsi, chamomile or hibiscus — most of these are traditionally brewed and enjoyed without it.
Where to Try Fresh Herbal Teas in India
Many packaged herbal teas on supermarket shelves lean on preservatives and artificial flavouring, which flattens the natural taste of the herb. Freshly brewed herbal tea, made to order from quality ingredients, tends to taste noticeably more vivid than a packaged tea bag steeped at home.
T VANAMM's herbal wellness tea range — available across 250+ outlets in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha — includes freshly brewed tulsi, ginger and herbal kadhas made from quality ingredients. No artificial flavouring, no excessive sugar, brewed fresh to order.
Explore T VANAMM's full herbal tea menu → or find your nearest outlet at tvanamm.com/stores.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Herbal teas are beverages enjoyed for their taste and tradition — they are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or have a health condition, please consult a qualified doctor before making any tea a regular habit.