When you walk down the coffee and tea aisle of your local food store, do you get seduced by all the different flavors and brands of tea available? We certainly do! Before writing this post, we did a quick inventory of the tea in our cupboards. Wow, we could stock a whole aisle with our supply! Lia’s cupboard was filled with green tea, wild berry, chai, orange pekoe, organic peppermint, organic ginger, echinacea, lemon, rooibos vanilla nut, chocolate smooth move, and a few more. Mary takes the prize with 17 different types and flavors. Hers are mainly herbal and organic, including fennel, balm, yerba mate, chamomile, and jasmine green tea.

If you’re a tea lover, you probably have your favorites and you probably know that not all teas are made alike. When you read about the benefits of drinking tea, keep in mind they are referring to herbal teas, and in particular those that have real herbs in them rather than artificial flavoring.

Perk up your herbal tea taste buds

If you’re a newbie to teas or just want to try something tasty and different that’s also good for you, sample one of the following:

Chamomile

It originates from two primary types, German and Roman, and both types have been credited with many health benefits whether ingested as teas or used topically.

Used as a tea to:

• Relieve upset stomach, calm nausea, gas and diarrhea (also safe for children, especially effective for colic babies),
• Relax and help with sleep,
• Reduce menstrual pain,
• Treat irritation from chest cold,
• Boost immune system,
• Improve skin as its antioxidants can help fight acne and breakouts.

Used topically to:

• Relieve skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, diaper rash,
• Soothe skin irritation and sunburn,
• Provide an all natural skin bleach, which may lighten complexion and provide healthy glow,
• Disinfect wounds and accelerate healing of wounds,
• Reduce dark circles and puffiness under eyes when place cooled tea bags under eyes,
• Slough off dead dry skin cells by blending with powered milk (make your own body and facial scrub).

Used as a rinse to:

• Disinfect abscesses,
• Soothe painful gums, gingivitis, canker sores and toothaches by gargling with cooled chamomile tea),
• Lighten hair color and help cleanse and moisturize hair.

Dandelion

Yes, those pesky weeds do have benefits as long as they haven’t been exposed to pesticides! You can now find dandelion root tea in your local supermarket from the Traditional Medicinals brand. You can also buy this tea as a loose leaf tea in a specialty shop or natural store.

Dandelion flower, leaves and roots are full of vitamin A (beta-carotene), B, C, & D and minerals (iron, potassium and zinc). The dandelion has antioxidant properties that may help improve the immune system.

Used as a tea to:

• Treat kidney issues, liver problems and gallbladder,
• Relieve heartburn and upset stomach,
• Help digestion and stimulate appetite, and acts as mild laxative,
• Reduce breast problems like inflammation or to improve milk flow,
• Help body reduce excess fluid as diuretic.

Using dandelion as a medicinal remedy has a long history with Native Americans, traditional Chinese medicine, and in Europe. The uses varied from dealing with kidney issues to skin problems and diabetes.

Raspberry

Also known as Red Raspberry or Wild Raspberry, this herb contains great antioxidant properties. Its antioxidant content is highest when the leaves of the plant are gathered in the spring before it flowers. For those who like black tea, Raspberry tea tastes like black tea but it’s more beneficial as it does not contain caffeine.

Raspberry tea is particularly useful for women’s health and you’ll see why from the list below. It is high in magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, iron, vitamin C, E, A (beta-carotene) and B complex.

Used as a tea to:

• Help with morning sickness and mood swings;
• Help with pregnancy and delivery by reducing labor pains and may help prevent miscarriage and hemorrhage (all related to toning of muscles in pelvic region and uterus);
• Increase fertility in men and women, especially when combined with Red Clover,
• Relieve hemorrhoids, constipation,
• Reduce cramps and painful periods, heavy periods.

Raspberry tea is also helpful for upset stomach and related gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, and to promote bile production.

With so many benefits and a great taste, which will you try first?

NOTE: Please keep in mind that the above teas are herbs and if you are on medication always check with your health care practitioner before you consume them.

References:

• Hoffmann, David, Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies, An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, Hammersmith, London: 1990. (new 2013 edition available as ebook)
• http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/chamomile-topic-overview
• https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/dandelion
• http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
• http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-309-RED%20RASPBERRY.aspx?activeIngredientId=309&activeIngredientName=RED%20RASPBERRY

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