What Tisane Tea really is?

A tisane (pronounced tee-zahn) is an herbal infusion made by steeping various parts of non-tea plants like flowers, leaves, roots, bark, or fruit  in hot water.

While it’s commonly referred to as “herbal tea”, a tisane technically isn’t tea at all, because it doesn’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant (the source of black, green, oolong, and white tea).

Tisane is a plant-based tea made from herbs, flowers, and spices naturally caffeine-free and full of flavour. 

In short: All tisanes are herbal teas, but not all herbal teas are true teas.

Tea vs. Tisane, What’s the Difference?

Feature	True Tea	Tisane
Made from	Camellia sinensis plant	Herbs, spices, fruits, roots
Contains caffeine	Yes	Usually no
Flavour	Earthy, grassy, astringent	Wide range: floral, spicy, fruity, bitter
Examples	Green tea, black tea	Chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, rooibos

Popular Types of Tisanes

Each tisane offers its own unique flavour, ritual, and health benefits. Here are a few popular brews:

• Chamomile: Soothing and floral — known for promoting sleep and easing anxiety.
• Peppermint: Fresh and minty — great for digestion and clearing the sinuses.
• Hibiscus: Bright and tart — rich in antioxidants and often used for heart health.
• Rooibos: Nutty and naturally sweet — caffeine-free and high in minerals. Dandelion

Health Benefits of Tisanes

While each herbal infusion brings its own strengths, most tisanes can:

• Support digestion and gut health
• Promote relaxation and reduce stress
• Offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
• Help with hydration and caffeine-free energy boosts
• Encourage sleep and emotional balance

How to Brew the Perfect Tisane

Tisanes are easy to make at home:

Basic method:

1. Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh herbs per cup
2. Pour boiling water over them
3. Steep for 5–10 minutes, depending on the herb
4. Strain and sip

Tip: Cover your cup while steeping to retain essential oils and aroma.

For another take on brewing the perfect Tisane, check out the video below from Scoff