Hi Zuri!
I just started my journey into discovering herbal teas and I’m feeling overwhelmed by the choices. What can you recommend I try for insomnia, colds or tummy troubles?
Thanks,
Patricia from Baltimore
Hi Patricia!
There’s something so relaxing about drinking a cup of herbal tea. It’s not only flavorful and soothing, but full of health benefits too!
So, I’m so super pumped to share some of my fave go-to’s for an upset stomach, tension headache, or for those nights I have trouble sleeping.
- If you have stomach or intestinal cramps, chamomile tea, known for its soothing and calming properties, is also good for digestion. Or try a cup of black cohosh, peppermint, or lemon balm tea to soothe your cramps.
- A demulcent tea will soothe and lubricate your stomach when you’ve over-indulged. Marshmallow or mullein tea are known for their emulcent properties and will help calm down your digestive system.
- Peppermint tea is a carminative, meaning it helps to get rid of intestinal bloating and gas. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea is a tasty way of reducing crampls from gas pains or painful bloating.
- Chamomile tea has also been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Clinical studies have shown that there is an amino acid in chamomile called glycine that acts as a mild, gentle sedative. Drinking a warm, steaming cup of chamomile tea before bedtime will treat your senses as well as sending you off to dreamland.
- Valerian tea is another tasty tea that can help bring a restful sleep. Like with chamomile, there’s no morning grogginess or side effects. Valerian tea works especially well for people who sleep irregularly or have a hard time falling asleep.
- If you feel a cold coming on, there are several delicious herbal teas that can help to boost your immune system. One of the best known herbal immune boosters is echinacea. This is a delicious tea that’s readily available. If you start drinking 3 cups a day when you first start to feel cold symptoms, your cold may be much less severe, of shorter duration, or you might not get the cold at all!
- Goldenseal and astragalus teas are made from the roots of these plants and are well-known immunity boosters. Astragalus has been shown to have anti-viral properties, so is another very effective tea to drink when you feel a cold coming on. It can also be used daily as a preventative, to keep your immune system strong during stressful times. Goldenseal has been used to ease inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, easing cold symptoms.
Herbal teas have been used safely and effectively for years, by people all over the world. And you can find most of them in your local supermarket.
I lift my mug of herbal tea to you!
xo Zuri
Since I’m not a licensed doctor or health care practitioner, it’s important to add the following disclaimer:
If you are pregnant, nursing or have a history of health issues, it’s important to proceed with caution. Always check with your primary care physician before trying any home remedy for the first time to avoid any potential side effects or adverse reactions. If your doctor gives you the green light to drink the herbal tea of your choice, start with a low dose and see how you do with it. You can always drink another cup if all is well.
