This has been something I've wanted to share for a long time and I thought it would be lovely to share herbal tea blends that can help boost our health and wellbeing. We got creative with making our own little tea bag blends within one of my recent self care sunday workshops and it's such a mindful practice to do when you have a little free time. Herbal teas are made from dried fruits, flowers, spices, or herbs and can offer several health-promoting properties that could help improve heart health, digestion, skin & hair health & sleep quality. Our go too's are normally nettle, peppermint, rose. At the moment I am loving chamomile with a drop of honey!
Below you can find a list of the teas that I took to my self care Sunday session, so if you joined me it's a nice little list to keep coming back to every once in a while. It will be nice to keep this herbal tea idea in mind, they are great go too's anytime of year and can support your wellbeing within those changing waves of outer and inner seasons.
Hibiscus Tea -
Hibiscus tea has a dark red colouring and a tart flavour similar to cranberries! So its nice to add a little honey or sweetness to balance it out. Try not to over steep this one!
Hibiscus is rich in powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease caused by the buildup of free radicals. One of the most impressive and well-known benefits of hibiscus tea is that it may help lower blood pressure. Some studies have found that, in addition to having antioxidant and anticancer properties, hibiscus could help protect against bacterial infections. Hibiscus tea also might function as a natural diuretic, which helps to remove water and sodium from the body, which can contribute to normal urination and bowel movements. Full of Vitamin C which helps promote healthy skin & healing.
Chamomile Tea -
Chamomile is a mild a smooth tasting tea, its the perfect go to for helping digestion, nausea, skin health and the most common benefit its a gentle sleep aid! We have a big bag in our house as its also nice to use in the bath along side a handful of oats (be sure to bag it!). A soothing blend to help calm the body & mind while getting the benefits of soft skin!
Chamomile contains a natural tranquilliser called Apigenin, the Apigenin binds to the Benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, making it become the mild sedative and hypnotic agent, as well as helping to induce sleep this is actually helpful for those suffering with anxiety & stress. Chamomile acts as a digestive relaxant and people use it to treat digestive upset including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhoea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Chamomile is an excellent source of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. These antioxidants are anti-inflammatory, helping the healing of cells and damage within an upon the body.
Nettle Tea -
Nettle tea is a staple in our herbal tea blends, it's one of the best tea's for allergies, and has saved me from many reactions with hives following a 'tomato episode' (Im allergic to them raw). This tea is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K and is also a good source of potassium, iron, and magnesium. These vitamins alongside other properties aid eye and heart health. Nettle tea is antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, and antibacterial which may prevent infection. Drinking nettle tea or taking a nettle extract may help treat symptoms of allergic reaction and hay fever. A study published in Phytotherapy Research found that nettle extract inhibits prostaglandin and other enzymes that react and trigger allergic rhinitis. This natural remedy also inhibits the activity of histamine, preventing the sniffles and sneezes that come along with allergy season.
Rose Tea -
Rose bud or petal tea is a wonderful uplifting flavour that is known for its beauty benefits! Not only is it good for us, its so beautiful to smell and admire while it brews!
It's also caffeine free. The main sources of antioxidants in rose tea are polyphenols.
Diets rich in polyphenols are thought to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, as well as protect your brain from degenerative disease. It also has high concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin A, various minerals, myrcene & quercetin. Rose Tea helps to hydrate and tighten skin reducing the appearance of lines and diminishing dark circles, it is also one of the best remedies to help with menstrual pain, bloating and easing cramps when it's time for your cycle. Another thing, its calming & lovely to aid sleep!
Lemon Grass -
I love the smell of lemon, the flavour of lemon so lemon tea is always a go to for a refreshing lift! If I don't have time to brew a pot ill drink a cup of hot water with the squeeze of one lemon in it. This is the tea to drink just as you wake in the morning, before food. Lemons acidity actually gets converted to an alkaline within the body which helps to balance the stomach acid after sleep. Its a cleanser and if you drink it every morning, you will feel and see a difference within your body & skin. Lemongrass is high in potassium, and helps to increase the production of urine in the body. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure and boosts blood circulation.Lemongrass is used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomachache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. So overall, this is a good one for the gut, its also an effective antibacterial and antifungal agent that contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!!
Marigold -
Marigold is another wonder tea that can aid digestion, heal wounds & create glowing skin. Its also known as Calendula, have you heard of it? Probably more familiar as a topical cream that is good for healing rashes, scrapes and burns. Its also good for delicate areas of the body, and nappy rash. Marigold has the ability to promote the growth of healthy new tissue, increase blood flow to the affected area, boost collagen production (which firms and strengthens skin), hydrate dry skin and speed up the process of skin repair. It's also helpful as an ingredient in sunscreen, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the leading cause of oxidative stress in the skin. Interestingly, one test-tube study determined that calendula oil has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8.36. How amazing is that?!
Chrysanthemum -
Did you know that Chrysanthemum tea is one of the best ways to cool the body down? This was on my recommendation list for summer days and when the temperatures are a little hot!
Chrysanthemum tea is an amazing source of antioxidants, as well as being full of vitamins, with especially high levels of vitamin A, the B spectrum, and C. This is an immune boosting tea that not only helps to fight off bacteria and viruses it also has anti inflammatory properties too. Chrysanthemum tea includes carotenoids, which are essential for healthy vision and may help protect against age-related degeneration. One last thing, its caffeine free!
Elderflower -
Elderflower is one of the staple ingredients in our house when its in season, i'll pick the flowers to make summer cordial (I must share the recipe with you, it's so tasty!). Ill then revisit the same spot to collect berries to make autumn syrup for coughs and colds. Drinking elderflower tea can be a lovely pick me up, its mild, light and full of benefits.
Elderflower helps fighting flu and respiratory disturbances by encouraging water to leave the body, helping you to “sweat it out”, that being said along side those coughs and colds with runny noses and tearful eyes it can also help to dry up runny eyes and runny noses because of the tannins it contains. Elderflower is often used in situations to calm or relax. Elderflowers have relaxing nervine properties, which support the nervous system through stressful periods. It can help to soothe nerves and anxiety and may assist in reducing symptoms of depression.