Best Herb Blends for Wild Foraged Sun Tea

If you’re like me, everything is better from the forest—including drink items like tea. In the summer, this just gets better and better because you can let it do its thing completely naturally, without any heat. Making sun tea is really easy. You simply place your herbs into a clean jar and cover with water. Screw a lid on and leave it in a sunny place for up to two days, depending on how strong you want it to be. Let it cool and add some raw honey if you want it sweet (raw honey also kicks allergies in the butt over time) a quarter of a juiced lemon for zest, and then serve over ice!

Below, you will find some blends that I have found to be wonderful—either hot—or iced. And best of all—you can forage the herbs or grow them in your backyard! Please leave me a comment if you try and love these! And check out my YouTube channel here—for foraging tips and weekly adventures every Sunday morning!

🍋 Citrusy & Uplifting

Best for: Morning energy, immune boost, stress relief

Flavor profile: Bright, citrusy, slightly floral

Wild Ingredients:

• Lemon balm – Calms anxiety, lifts mood, eases digestion

• Douglas fir tips – High in vitamin C, immune-boosting

• Wild bergamot (bee balm) – Antimicrobial, supports respiratory health

• Yarrow flowers (in small doses) – Circulatory support, fever-reducing

Benefits:

Brightens the mood, sharpens clarity, and supports immunity—perfect for early hikes or cold spring mornings.

🪵 Survival tip: These herbs are common in disturbed meadows and trail edges—ideal for lowland or foothill foraging.

🌸 Floral & Soothing

Best for: Evening relaxation, emotional wellness, restful sleep

Flavor profile: Soft, floral, lightly sweet

Wild Ingredients:

• Fireweed flowers – Anti-inflammatory, gut support

• Wild rose petals – Soothing to the heart, rich in vitamin C

• Red clover – Hormone-balancing, gentle detoxifier

• Chamomile (wild or cultivated) – Calming and digestive

Benefits:

This calming tea is a gentle sedative, making it ideal for unwinding after a day of wildcrafting or setting up camp.

🪵 Survival tip: Fireweed and red clover often thrive near clearings and abandoned homesteads—key spots for foraging.

🌿 Minty & Cooling

Best for: Hot days, digestive discomfort, clearing the head

Flavor profile: Crisp, clean, cooling

Wild Ingredients:

• Wild mint – Eases nausea and indigestion, clears sinuses

• Lemon balm – Antiviral and calming

• Mountain pennyroyal (small amounts) – Decongestant, strong mint

• Catnip – Mild sedative, good for headaches and kids

Benefits:

Soothes the digestive system, cools the body, and refreshes the senses—ideal for your wilderness canteen.

🪵 Survival tip: Mints prefer moist, shaded ground—look near creeks or springs.

🌾 Earthy & Herbal

Best for: Daily nourishment, gentle detox, grounding

Flavor profile: Deep, grassy, slightly bitter

Wild Ingredients:

• Nettle – Rich in iron and calcium; supports joints and kidneys

• Dandelion leaf/root – Liver tonic, supports digestion

• Plantain leaf – Anti-inflammatory, gut and skin support

• Sheep sorrel (sparingly) – Detoxifying, anti-inflammatory

Benefits: A nutrient-rich, mineral-heavy tea for long-term wellness—ideal for off-grid living or wilderness recovery.

🪵 Survival tip: Nettles and dandelions are among the most dependable wild greens—they grow early, abundantly, and nearly everywhere.

🌲 Woodsy & Spiced

Best for: Immune support, inflammation, cold weather

Flavor profile: Resinous, warming, slightly sweet

Wild Ingredients:

• Chaga mushroom – Immune-boosting, antioxidant-rich

• Spruce or cedar tips – Vitamin C-rich, decongestant

• Wild ginger – Warming, digestive, anti-fungal

• Cinnamon fern root (only if confidently identified) – Circulatory stimulant

Benefits: A deep, grounding blend ideal for sipping beside the fire, fighting colds, or maintaining stamina in cold weather.

🪵 Survival tip: Chaga and spruce are staples in boreal and temperate forests—learn to ID them if you're heading into the backwoods.