I know this is probably me being a tea snob, but even Wikipedia states that: Tisane’s are beverages made from the infusion of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water and do not usually contain caffeine. In other words, these are not teas. So “herbal teas” is not correct, it is an “herbal tisane” or botanical or infusion. Tisane can be served hot or cold.
CAUTION: Many sites, including Wikipedia, note that while most herbal teas are safe for regular moderate consumption, some herbs have toxic or allergenic effects and should be consumed with care.
CAUTION: Other cautions is to not pick your own, as with mushrooms, some herbs look like other more deadly ones.
CAUTION: Never use an aluminum pot to prepare a tisane. Aluminum is a reactive metal, so it can react with an herb and, depending on the plant type, it may produce a very toxic beverage. (1)
These are for information purposes, I am not an herbalist and cannot make suggestions on what to consume. I am only going to comment on things I drink.
Bark Tisane
Examples: cinnamon, slippery elm, and black cherry bark
Slippery Elm (1): Slippery elm contains chemicals that can help soothe sore throats. Ground bark is used for the Tisane, up to 5T can be absorbed by 1C water. Often, this is combined with other herbs to make a tea like Throat Coat, which I do drink. It has a fennel flavor and soothes my throat.
Flower Tisane
Examples are rose, chamomile, hibiscus, and lavender
Chamomile (2): I have a memory of going out into some pasture land in Germany and picking Chamomile with Oma. Then we would go home and dry it, topped off with a cup from a previous drying. She would boil the water and steep the herbs for a long time so that the liquid was golden colored. It was calming she said. I still drink hot German Chamomile tisane.
Fruit Tisane
Fruit tisanes are caffeine-free blends containing a range of fruits, spices and herbs. These include peach, apple, raspberries, blueberries and the like. In Germany these fruits are mixed with black tea to create the heady aroma of fruit with caffeine. I always thought they smelled better than they tasted.
Herbal Tisane
Peppermint (3): This aromatic herb can make a strong tisane, when I drink it, it clears my sinuses. I do not drink it often, but will mix the herb in a cold Spa Water.
Hibiscus , mint + strawberry tea (3a): Hibiscus tea, sparkling water, orange (vodka or liquor, or juice) and garnish the glass with a strawberry and topped with a couple of mint leaves.
Leaf Tisane
Examples: lemon balm, mint, lemongrass, and verbena.
Nettle Tisane (4): Leaves and roots can be boiled or steeped with a herbaceous, rich taste, that some compare to an earthy, sweet version of seaweed. 1t = 1C tea, boiling water, steep 5 – 20min. Read up on the side effects.
Rooibos (herbal)
Caffeine-free Rooibos (5), grows only in South Africa. It has a rich, slightly sweet flavor that is excellent alone and blends extremely well with a variety of flavors.
Root Tisane
Examples: ginger, echinacea, and chicory
Echinacea (6): I have some Echinacea tisane used when I feel like I have a cold.
Seed Tisane
Examples: cardamom, caraway, and fennel
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate (7): This South American botanical from the holly family is consumed throughout much of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Far East. Yerba Mate is said to energize and remedies the body and is one of the few plants that naturally contains caffeine.