Herbal teas are a delicious and easy way to increase your fluid intake and sneak in some extra nutrients. Unlike coffee (whose health benefits are highly debated), herbal teas offer the benefits and nutrients without caffeine (and pesticides in non-organic coffee). As I personally experience bloating and discomfort daily and weekly, making my own tea can sometimes be much more practical than going to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.
There are literally thousands of combinations of herbal teas, so there is one for every palate. Herbal teas can be very inexpensive if you buy the ingredients in bulk, and you can mix up your own combinations! You can shop many of these teas on Amazon or your local market.
If you aren’t already an avid herbal tea drinker, here are some delicious combinations to get you started…
Chamomile
Chamomile flower tea is one of the most consumed teas in the world, behind regular black tea. Chamomile flowers have a naturally sweet taste with a hint of an apple flavor. Chamomile is a good herbal source of magnesium and is known as a soothing and relaxing herb.
Mint
Mint tea is probably second to chamomile in popularity among herbal teas. Peppermint tea soothes the digestive tract and is helpful for heartburn, nausea, and indigestion. It can be drunk to help alleviate nausea and used in a homemade digestive tincture.
While it is especially helpful during illness, peppermint is a delicious tea anytime and can be consumed alone or with other herbs to help increase their effectiveness.
Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry is highly nutritious and especially beneficial for women as it helps balance hormones and is good for the skin. It is often consumed during pregnancy for many women as it can strengthen the uterus and is a good source of magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins (all important during pregnancy).
Raspberry leaf tea tastes similar to regular black tea and can be combined with stevia leaf to make a naturally sweet tea. I drink it hot in the winter and cold during the summer months and iced (and sometimes with chia seeds in it). Herbalists often recommend raspberry leaf tea or tincture to women suffering from infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, or painful menses.
Sleep Easy Blend
When I have trouble sleeping, my go-to tea is an equal mixture of chamomile, mint, and organic leaf herbs.
I mix a teaspoon each of chamomile, mint, and leaf herbs in a mug of hot water for a relaxing nighttime tea that is also great during illness. This same mixture can also be used to fill a homemade eye pillow to aid in sleep.
Lavender Tea
Lavender is my favorite scent and essential hair oil, but it is too strong to be used alone in tea. My favorite lavender tea recipe is:
½ cup mint leaf
2 TBSP dried lavender
2 TBSP stevia (optional)
Mix all and store in an airtight container. Use 1-2 tsp per cup of water to make hot or iced tea.
Chai Tea
Chai tea is my mom's favorite and is usually made with oat milk instead of regular milk. There are many variations of chai tea recipes, and with a little experimenting, you can find the one that you like best.
Aromatic, a little spicy, and wonderfully fragrant with notes of cinnamon and ginger, sometimes there’s nothing more inviting than a mug of chai tea. Drinking chai can be a surprisingly healthy move. This particular blend of spices and black tea leaves offers benefits that can calm certain health and wellness woes, including risk factors for common ailments such as bloating, nausea, menstrual cramps, and more.
4 Tbsp ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp ground ginger
4 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 Tbsp ground black pepper (reduce by half for less spice)
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp ground cloves
Herbal Coffee
Have trouble kicking the coffee habit? While I still love coffee, herbal coffee is a great alternative without caffeine. It packs a powerful nutritional punch with maca powder and dandelion root!
Stomach Soother
This tea is very calming for stomach aches or those prone to digestive troubles. The recipe is also very easy:
2 tsp mint leaf
½ tsp fennel seeds
pinch of dried ginger (optional)
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over it, steep, cover for 5 minutes, and consume. You can also add some grass-fed gelatin powder (about a Tablespoon) for a long-lasting soothing effect.
Kombucha Tea
This herbal tea is consumed cold and requires a culture to make, but it is packed with vitamins and probiotics. It is made with regular black tea, though I’m also experimenting with making it with coffee. Kombucha is a slightly sweet, slightly tangy herbal tea that can be made any time of the day!
What is your favorite herbal tea? Do you make any of your own? Share below!
Herbal Teas can provide many vitamins and minerals and are a delicious alternative to plain water. ( Drink and buy these teas at your own discretion. Consult a professional for more information.)