As much as we love all things Fall, there are challenges we face every year that we don’t look forward to: colds and flu, dry skin, anxiety, allergies and the consequences of overindulging in rich foods. In anticipation of this, I went on an internet hunt for some nice herbal tea blends to help my patients navigate these challenges and reduce the number of drugstore visits.
Sipping tea falls under that category of “self care” we hear talked about so much. Many cultures make tea drinking a ritual and for good reason: slowing down to enjoy a hot cup of anything will be a great antidote to our frantic lifestyles. Suffer from these fall maladies? Be proactive and try some herbal tea blends.
Tea for Skin Health (from healingharvesthomestead.com)
Horsetail is beneficial for skin and nails due to its silica and rich mineral content. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Just blend these herbs together and simmer.
Ingredients
- 5 parts Horsetail
- 5 parts Spearmint Leaf
- 4 parts Raspberry Leaf
- 3 parts Rose petals
- 2 parts Nettle leaf
- 2 parts Oatstraw or Oat Tops
- 1 part Cinnamon Chips
Elderberry Tea Blend for Immunity (from growforagecookferment.com)
Elderberry is my go-to herb to ward off colds or flu. I keep Elderberry syrup in my kitchen and take some if I feel run down or have a scratchy throat. I have had excellent success with this strategy. This would be a good tea to drink daily if you are prone to colds and flu. Just combine these herbs in a small jar, mix well and use 1 -2 Tbsp per 1 cup of water. Simmer 30 minutes and strain to drink.
Ingredients
• 4 tbsp dried elderberries
• 4 tbsp dried rose hips
• 4 tbsp echinacea root
• 4 tbsp astragalus
• 4 tbsp dried ginger
Tea Blend for Allergies (from remedygrove.com)
Nettles is an effective remedy for any airborne allergies. Let someone else harvest it for you though – it can cause a bad skin reaction if not handled properly when fresh. Mix equal parts in a dark, airtight container. Sip daily during allergy times- Spring or Fall.
Ingredients
• Dried Lavender flowers
• Fennel seeds
• Dried Lemongrass
• Dried Nettles
• Dried Peppermint or Spearmint leaves
• Dried Red Clover
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Tea for Digestive Stress (from www.eatingwell.com)
Peppermint is well known to relax the gastrointestinal sphincters helping to alleviate gas and bloating which tend to happen when we over-indulge. Warning: peppermint may aggravate GERD symptoms in some people. This recipe makes one cup of tea. Steep for 15 minutes and strain as needed.
Ingredients
• 1 tsp dried peppermint
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp coriander seeds
Tea for Anxiety ( from scratchmommy.com)
Autumn is a time for new things – new schedules, new schools, new assignments, the anticipation of holiday responsibilities, etc. This can create extra anxiety for a lot of people. Also, there are highly sensitive people who do not handle seasonal shifts well and need extra time for their nervous systems to adjust. Lemon balm is a calming herb and has been used for centuries to reduce stress and anxiety.
Ingredients
• 1 tsp Dried Lemon Balm Leaves, crushed (organic lemon balm leaves)
• 1 tsp Dried Oat Straw Tops (organic oat straw tops)
• 8 oz Boiling Water
Any of the above ingredients are readily available in Health Food stores or online. Just be sure to buy organic and from a reputable source. Mountain Rose Herbs is a good source. The addition of natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup to any of these teas would be desirable to people who like their tea a little sweeter.