By: Amanda Froelich,
True Activist.
Because nature offers a plethora of medicinal plants, why not have ready-to-use teas on hand? With ranging benefits and rarely ever any side effects, teas are great aids for everything from a headache or inability to sleep to reducing stress and reducing illness.
1. Chamomile
Used for centuries in the Roman Empire, during ancient Egypt, and ancient Greece, Chamomile means “ground apple’ and has many benefits. It’s known to help heal wounds, aid Diabetes, is antibacterial, calms muscle spasms, soothes an aching stomach, promotes sleep (a cup before you go to bed is thought to calm a restless mind), can relieve hemorrhoids, fights Cancer, and even improves healthy skin. All these benefits, and it’s a soothing tea that tastes great as well!
2. Green Tea
Probably the most proudly recommended tea as it promotes weight loss by boosting the metabolism, Green Tea is also bursting with other benefits! It’s known to help with Diabetes as it aids in glucose balance, protects against Heart Disease, reduces the risk of Esophageal Cancer, reduces cholesterol, can delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, promotes healthy teeth by combating tooth decay, is anti-viral and anti-bacterial, relieves depression, and finally, is wonderful for promoting healthy skin.
3. St. John’s Wort
The ‘happy’ herb, St. John’s Wort is wonderful for treating depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, and tiredness as well as reducing heart palpitations, moodiness, other symptoms of menopause, ADHD, OCD, and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). In fact, it’s so beneficial, it’s benefits go beyond mood related; it’s been used to aid exhaustion, to stop smoking, help Fibromyalgia, alleviate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines and headaches, muscle pain, nerve pain, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Hemorrhoids, and even Cancer, AIDS, and Hepatitis.
By consuming this tea in recommended amounts, statistically you’re bound to experience some beneficial effect with little to no risk of any side effect.
4. Hibiscus
More than just a beautiful flower, tea made from this herb is quite medicinal! Benefits include treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and inflammation, fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation. The fruit acids in the flower also work as a diuretic and laxative. Truly, the many uses it provides should ensure a place in your tea cupboard.
5. Tulsi
Tulsi tea has been used for over 5,000 years, specifically originating from the Indian sub-continent. It’s ability to heal both body and mind have made it an important component of Ayurvedic medicine. It’s benefits include reducing stress, aiding the adrenals, promoting better sleep, boosting the immune system, helping with sickness, supporting a healthy metabolism, offering improved joint support, and has anti-inflammatory properties – therefore is beneficial with Chrohn’s disease and digestive disorders. It also improves stamina, combats tooth decay, and is exceptionally high in free-radical fighting anti-oxidants and phyto-chemical compounds. Reap the benefits of Tulsi tea and have this herbal remedy on hand!
When craving an extra ‘boost’ from Mother Nature, reach for one of these herbal aids and relax into the knowledge that you’re enhancing your well being holistically.
*Note: There are some side effects of certain herbs and their excessive use, therefore consume with mindfulness and if needed, consult your alternative health practitioner for a consumption recommendation specifically for you.
Additional Sources:
