Wiktionary
n. A beverage made by infusing the leaves of various herbs.
WordNet
n. tea-like drink made of leaves of various herbs [syn: herb tea]
Wikipedia
Herbal tea, or, more properly, tisane (UK , US ), is any beverage made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water, and usually does not contain caffeine. These drinks are distinguished from true teas ( black, green, white, yellow, oolong, etc., which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis), as well as from decaffeinated tea, in which the caffeine has been removed. In many countries, the word 'tea' may only be used for leaves of Camellia sinensis and therefore the phrase 'herbal tea' is a contradiction in terms, and should not be used. These beverages are therefore labelled infusion or tisane.
Like beverages made from true teas, herbal teas can be served hot or cold. Herbal teas have been used for nearly as long as written history extends. Documents have been recovered dating back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient China that discuss the enjoyment and uses of herbal teas. Among the Chinese, herbal teas are commonly known as liang cha .
Usage examples of "herbal tea".
A herbal tea is made of the leaves, when previously dried, the decoction having a very agreeable odour.
While I made a quick visit to my room, they had gone before me to the Queen, ostensibly taking her a special herbal tea but really to quietly beg a private audience for me.
He held an earthenware bowl of herbal tea in both hands, warming them.
After the hunters ate their fill of bison, browned and crisp outside and rare near the bone, they built up the fire and sat around it sipping hot herbal tea, and talking.
She poured some of the herbal tea into the spoon and gestured to Kindan.
The steward bustled over to settle the new arrival, promptly serving the herbal tea that Peter preferred.
Ceara ordered pecan pie, and talked Peter into it, and an herbal tea.
She'd contributed the makings for herbal tea, and she picked up a cup of it now.
It is too bad that I do not have any of my special herbal tea with me.