Tea-ol-ogy: May Flowers

Herbals teas are excellent way to discover the amazing healing properties of plants.  The powerful work they do helps to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, fight nausea, increase energy, support digestion, improve sleep and restore and revitalize your body in many more ways.  Herbal medicine is supported by thousands of peer reviewed scientific studies. Herbal teas are affordable, simple to make, and are quickly absorbed.  It is important to buy quality, organic tea.  As they sit in hot water to steep you want to make sure you avoid toxic and harmful residue from bleached tea bags and pesticides. Always store herbs in opaque, glass, airtight containers and in a dark cool place to preserve taste and aroma if you are storing for long periods of time.

Brewing Herbal Tea:

• Hot tea infusion will extract vitamins, enzymes, and volatile essential oils.  For herbal teas you can use 1-4 tablespoons of dried herbs per eight ounces of water. (Use 12 ounces of water for 3+ tablespoons dried herbs) Heat your water until it just barely comes to a boil.  Pour water over dried herbs and cover to keep the essential oils from escaping.  Steep for at least 15 minutes and up to one hour.  Strain and enjoy!
• Cold tea infusions are better for the slimy or demulcent herbs and those with delicate essential oils like Marshmallow root, Chia seed, or fresh Lemon Balm.  Fill a glass quart jar with cold water and place 1 oz of herbs into cheesecloth.  Submerge your bundled herbs just below the water and drape the tied end of cheesecloth over the lip of the jar and secure with cap.  Allow these herbs to infuse at least eight hours. 
• Decoctions are simmered teas that are required for the extraction of hard roots, dried berries, barks and seeds like Elderberry and Chai.  Place 3 tablespoons of dried herbs into a saucepan and cover with a quart of cold water.  Slowly heat the water and bring to a gentle simmer for 20-45 minutes.  Strain the herbs and enjoy!  If your decocted tea is too strong you can add additional hot water.

 
AnxieTea:

• 1/2 tablespoon Hibiscus
• 1/2 tablespoon Lemon Balm
• 1/2 tablespoon Holy Basil
• 1/2 tablespoon Passion Flower
• *Drink 3 cups per day to prevent stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure & cholesterol, and improve sleep.

 
Hibiscus is rich in Vitamin C and benefits include: calms nervous system to reduce anxiety and depression; supports cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure; Drinking hibiscus tea after a meal helps the body digest fats, improving cholesterol levels and lowering LDL; antioxidant properties support liver function; restorative for balancing hormones and easing symptoms of PMS and menopause; great in iced teas as it has an immediate cooling effect on the body.  Lemon Balm is rich in antioxidants and benefits include: calms nervous system to reduce anxiety, creates a positive mindset, and improves mental alertness; supports restorative sleep; boosts memory, recall and problem solving skills; eases cramping in the digestive, and urinary tracts and during menstruation; antiviral properties treat cold sores and combat herpes. Holy Basil is a powerful adaptogen and benefits include: supports a healthy response to chronic stress and anxiety reducing cortisol and significantly elevating mood and improving mental clarity; anti-inflammatory properties support everything from digestion to immune function to the treatment of cancer; excellent for treating respiratory conditions and when grown in and around your home effectively purifies the air. Passion Flower is a natural sedative and benefits include: fights feelings of nervousness, anxiety, pressure, and ADHD without causing drowsiness; improves feelings of depression; provides menopause relief; eases pain associated with cramps, headaches, toothaches and sore muscles; helps you fall asleep faster, especially for those fighting insomnia.

ZZ Tea:

• 1/2 tablespoon Chamomile
• 1/2 tablespoon Lavender
• 1/2 tablespoon Linden
• 1/2 tablespoon Hops
• *Drink 1-2 cups per evening to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed.

 
Chamomile is rich in volatile oils and benefits include: calms nervous system to prevent anxiety from disrupting sleep; sleep aid that works by relaxing and calming the mind and body; supports digestion and soothes stomach aches; helps treat fevers, the common cold, and soothes a sore throat.  Lavender has an amazing range of benefits that include: contains powerful essential oils that help you fall asleep faster and spend more time in restorative sleep; calms the mind and body relieving feelings of anxiety and promoting relaxation; supports digestive system to treat colic, infections, and symptoms of IBS; excellent for treating depression and stabilizing mood swings; treats migraines; promotes faster wound healing. Linden is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients and benefits include: promotes a deep sense of relaxation; soothes and calms nerves; eases tension that causes headaches and migraines; sedative properties promote restorative sleep; antibacterial properties that support respiratory health and fight off the common cold and relieve throat irritation; eases digestion and treats bloating, gas, diarrhea, and cramps. Hops contain beneficial compounds like tannins and flavonoids and benefits include: calms nervous system to relieve stress and anxiety and improve mood; combats insomnia and restless sleep; acts as a diuretic and eases bladder pain and infections; improves digestion by stimulating the production of stomach acid and has anti-spasmodic properties. 

DigestiviTea:

• 1/2 tablespoon Yarrow
• 1/2 tablespoon Strawberry Leaf
• 1/2 tablespoon Tansy
• 1/2 tablespoon Jasmine
• *Drink 1 cup after each meal to enhance digestion and prevent gas, bloating and indigestion.

 
Yarrow is an underrated herb and its many benefits include: improves digestion by encouraging the secretion of enzymes and digestive juices; encourages bile flow from the gallbladder; eases symptoms of stomach ulcers; promotes sweating in cases of flus, fevers and colds to help the body detox; a natural expectorant; lessens menstrual bleeding and promotes circulation; chewing on the leaves eases tooth aches. Strawberry Leaf is high in antioxidants and Vitamin C and its benefits include: treats diarrhea, indigestion, and dysentery; tannins help balance the acids and the bases in the digestive tract that help break down food; normalizes pH; eases upset stomach, reduces bloating and cramps; diuretic properties. Tansy is commonly used throughout Europe and its benefits include: improves overall digestion and treats gas, bloating, and stomach ulcers; improves appetite; reduces fluid retention; regulates menstrual flow. *Do not use while pregnant. Jasmine is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and benefits include: rich in antioxidants, it encourages a healthy digestive system and prevents some forms of gastrointestinal cancers; helps ensure the proper digestion of food; helps reverse damage caused by diabetes; improves circulation to support heart and brain health.
 
ImmuniTea:

• 1/2 tablespoon Elderflower
• 1/2 tablespoon Rose Petals
• 1/2 tablespoon Calendula
• 1/2 tablespoon Safflower
• *Drink 3-4 cups per day at the onset of cold, flu or allergy symptoms.

 
Elderflower is one of the world’s oldest medicinal plants and its benefits include: abundant in antivirals, chlorogenic acids and flavanols, making it extremely effective in fighting seasonal allergies and boosting the immune system; analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties; studies show it is a superior herb for reducing symptoms and treating the flu. Rose Petals show up in medical archives dating back to the ancient Egyptians and benefits include: packed with Vitamin C to boost the immune system and prevent seasonal allergies; improves liver function to help detox the body; aids digestion of fats by stimulating the production of bile; nourishes the good bacteria in the intestines; treats headaches, chest, and abdominal pain; regulates menstrual flow; can calm the mind and enhance mood.  Calendula (Marigold) is widely used in Europe and its benefits include: essential oils and polysaccharides quickly stimulate the immune system and protect you at the onset of a cold, flu, or other bacterial or viral infection; anti-cancer properties; increases blood flow to speed up wound healing; soothes sore throats; reduces inflammation to protect the lining of your digestive system; alleviates hot flashes, nausea, and headaches associated with hormonal imbalance. Safflower tea is drunk regularly throughout Asia and its benefits include: antioxidants help boost the immune system and repair damaged cells, helping the body effectively fight off diseases and infections; treats chronic coughs and soothes bronchial spasms; soothes frayed nerves and helps the body relax; excellent for lowing cholesterol and regulating blood sugar levels.

​Flow Lightly Tea:

• 1 tablespoon Red Raspberry
• ½ tablespoon Sage
• ½ tablespoon Red Clover
• *Drink 1-3 cups per day 7-10 days prior to menstruation to reduce symptoms of PMS and heavy blood flow.

 
Red Raspberry is the most popular herb used to support women’s health and its benefits include: clinically shown to reduce menstrual cramps and regulate blood flow; strengthens the uterine wall to improve fertility and help prevent miscarriage; nutrient rich profile helps treat morning sickness; encourages the body to detox excess hormones helping keep the body balanced throughout menstruation and menopause. Sage is a desert herb native to the Mediterranean and its benefits include: effectively slows heavy menstrual bleeding; helps balance hormones and relieve hot flashes during menopause; diuretic properties ease PMS symptoms of bloating and gas; supports healthy digestion; helps boost memory and concentration. Red Clover is one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogen) and its benefits include: eases symptoms of PMS and regulates blood flow; helps reduce the possibility of developing endometrial cancer and interferes with the progression of endometrial cancer; reduces breast tenderness; significantly reduces hot flashes in menopausal women; may help prevent bone loss in pre and peri-menopausal women; supports cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood circulation.