Although I would still consider myself a coffee lover, I don’t drink it everyday. In fact, I hardly drink it at all anymore (2 cups in going on two years….). No, it is herbal tea that I love. I started drinking herbal teas soon after I found out I was pregnant with Wyatt — and boy oh boy did I realize what I’d been missing! No one ever shared their love of herbal teas and the incredible variety and vast health benefits with me — other than “green tea is good for you” kind of stuff.
So I want to share with you my four favorite herbal teas, that I have found to be great “life-breather-back-inners” to my day.
1. Echinacea
I started drinking Traditional Medicinals Echinacea Plus this past Winter. I had read of all the great immune boosting properties that echinacea had, and thought, “why not”.
Mildly minty, with a twist of citrus, echinacea was used by a number of Native American tribes for hundreds of years before it was introduced into Western herbal traditions in the late 1800s. The presence of alkylamides (one of echinacea’s distinguishing characteristics) are what help stimulate the immune system and provide a powerful boost to your overall well being. (Source: Traditional Medicinals)
I have found this tea to be a great late afternoon drink, you know… as you head into the early evening and your energy is waning. It’s refreshing yet soothing at the same time. A hard combo to come by, in my opinion.
2. Peppermint
I can remember as far back as the fifth grade my having knowledge that peppermint does wonders to invigorate the senses — an elementary school teacher of mine always liked to hand out peppermints before tests and would tell us to “just relax [and that] peppermint was great for stimulating the mind”.
Peppermint’s herbal value lies in a high concentration of menthol and other components in the oil of peppermint leaves. Menthol gives a simultaneous cooling and warming sensation. Along with its peppery good taste, it is useful for everything from soothing irritated stomachs to alleviating digestive discomfort. (Source: Traditional Medicinals)
My favorite time to drink this is in the morning. I find it has an uncanny ability to wake me up after a late night and early morning. I have yet to try it to soothe an upset stomach, but since it’s known for that as well I will undoubtedly try it out — and will then hopefully be able to add it to my toolbox of herbal remedies.
3. Chamomile Lavender
Chamomile’s power comes in part from its essential oil, which works to calm the nervous system and ease digestion, relaxing nerves and (again) upset stomachs.(Source: Traditional Medicinals)
I find it a great stress reliever drink. Lavender has similar tension relieving properties — so I find myself drinking this at the end of the day. After dinner is cooked and eaten. Maybe over washing dishes in the sink or (if I’m lucky) resting on the couch. It’s a great way to unwind too if at the end of the day you find your body aching but your mind still racing and resisting sleep.
4. Passion
This tea is the only tea that I’m not sure about as far as “medicinal purposes” goes. I first encountered this tea at Starbucks and they hit the nail on the head when they describe it as a “radiant blend of hibiscus flowers, herbs & tropical fruit essences”.
I find it absolutely refreshing and an awesome mid-day drink. No seriously. This tea, a good book and a spot in the shade would be pretty much divine.
I am however considering alternatives to this drink. Ever since I read this piece on drinking tea, I feel a new sense of caution when picking tea out to drink. I have yet to try it, but I just recently bought a raspberry leaf tea that I’m hoping might be able to replace it. I’m hoping it can do the trick because it supports healthy menstruation, tones the uterus and may be used for menstrual cramps. Another sweet find for my herbal remedy knapsack! (Source: Traditional Medicinals)
So what are your favorite herbal teas? Seriously, share the love.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician.