Brew your own soothing infusion with this guide to herbal teas. These concoctions offer a pleasant alternative to tea drinkers who want to avoid caffeine, and help relieve common health discomforts.
A mild sedative, chamomile tea is said to aid digestion and relieve menstrual cramps. Small amounts of pollen residue in chamomile tea may cause dermatitis or other allergic symptoms in people sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, and members of the daisy family.
Tea made from this common weed is mildly diuretic. Some women use it to reduce problems of premenstrual bloating.
Extracts of elder are sometimes used in over-the-counter cold remedies, and elder-flower tea may alleviate cold and flu symptoms. The flowers and ripe berries of the elder are safe, but avoid the roots, stems, and leaves. The tea is a mild stimulant.
With a flavor similar to licorice, fennel tea is used to soothe an upset stomach. Traditional herbalists often recommend it as an appetite suppressant and slimming aid.
Tea brewed from dried lavender flowers is said to be mildly sedative.
This minty tea may help soothe jittery nerves.
Made from the same plant that causes stinging skin irritation, nettle tea is rich in vitamin C and several minerals. Herbalists recommend it to treat arthritis and gout and to increase milk production in nursing mothers.
Tea from this mint plant is refreshing and may stimulate digestion. It should be avoided by anyone with a hiatal hernia, because peppermint promotes reflux of the stomach contents into the esophagus.
Herbalists recommend raspberry tea to ease menstrual cramps.
Rich in vitamin C, rose hip tea can substitute as an alternative to orange juice.
Tea from this popular garden herb is said to relieve gas and colic, but drinking more than two or three cups a day may irritate the stomach.
Herbalists recommend thyme tea for gastrointestinal complaints and to alleviate lung congestion.
Always choose herbs carefully. Although the herbs and spices used in herbal teas have been approved by government regulatory bodies for use as seasonings, a few herbs and spices are known to be unsafe when used medicinally. Nutmeg, for example, is harmless when used to flavor foods but can cause severe symptoms, including hallucinations, when brewed into a strong tea. Other herbs, such as oregano, have a stimulating effect and can cause wakefulness. Comfrey tea, if consumed regularly, is toxic to the liver.
Scientific information is inconclusive regarding the safety of various herbs and herbal products during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. The herbal teas considered safe if used in moderation include citrus peel, ginger, lemon balm, orange peel, and rose hip. It is wise for pregnant women to discuss use of these drinks with their health-care provider.
Folk healers have long used herbal teas for medicinal purposes, but few teas have been tested scientifically. Care is needed when self-treating with herbal teas, especially if the herbs have been gathered in the wild. Many plants are poisonous, and these may be mistaken for safe herbs.
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