An article in November’s Good Housekeeping discussed the benefits of a daily herbal cuppa. Drinking herbs that have been steeped in hot water can help boost our wellbeing, help revive, relax and boost our memory.
It works by drawing out the compounds from plants that are caffeine free, gaining their beneficial properties such as water-soluble vitamins and antioxidants. It’s super easy to make. One heaped teaspoon per mug of hot water, infuse for ten minutes, discard the herbs and enjoy. It can be a few moments of mindfulness as you draw in the smell and taste.
Different herbs have different benefits and combining some can help prevent feelings of stress, bloating, depression, can make us feel more awake, flushed, focussed, less headachy or overheated (for those of us women of a certain age).
To reduce stress – Chamomile, lavender and pink rosebuds. Use half the lavender to the other ingredients, 25g each of chamomile and pink rosebuds to 15g lavender.
To feel less bloated – fennel, peppermint and catmint. Drink after dinner, equal parts of each herb.
To reduce feeling low – Pink rosebuds, lemon verbena and lemon balm. Blend 25g of each for an uplifting feeling, clear the cobwebs and give yourself a hug.
To feel more awake – Chamomile, lime flowers and valerian. Mix in equal parts for a soothing, easy drink.
To feel less flushed – Red clover, rose and sage – 30g each of rose and sae to 40g red cover to help with those menopausal moments.
To be more focussed – Rosemary, ginkgo and peppermint – 25g each for a perkier brain.
To reduce headaches – Rosemary, peppermint, ginger and lime flower. Blend in equal parts to take the edge off the ache.
To reduce overheating – Peppermint, lemon balm and lemon peel. Mix 50g peppermint, 40g lemon balm and 10g lemon peel to cool down.
Other suggested herbs were Nettle filled with vitamins, minerals and protein for nourishing and cleansing and Elderflower to help fight colds and ease sinus problems.
The article’s experts suggested that loose tea is better than tea bags as some of the volatile oils in herbs can evaporate during the tea bagging process and they lose some of their flavour. If you’re making your own blend then try 1.2 teaspoons of herbs per person, according to taste preferences. Leaving is to infuse for five to ten minutes, but harder herbs and barks will need longer. No more than three cups per day is the recommended maximum. Fresh herbs are best as they are slightly milder flavoured but you’ll need twice the amount. Cold brew is just as good so if you prefer iced tea it won’t diminish the effects. You can of course by all the separate herbs and concoct your own blends but there is an increasing market in ready mades now.
I am not a massive tea drinker, certainly not standard black tea anyway. I do enjoy a mint tea in the afternoon and find it quite refreshing, but I’m not convinced about purchasing different blends until I’ve been able to try it without shelling out for expensive products. If someone has some I’ll try it.
What’s your favourite tea?
Bells, Bakes & Bettering Myself 
Interesting one. I also don’t like normal tea and struggle with green tea unless it’s highly and sweetly flavoured. I’m all for ease so have never tried making my own. There are loads and loads of different brands now in supermarkets that do it for you but it’s interesting that the article you quote suggests they’re less potent than making your own. I would also like to know if any of your other contacts have made their own, and what their results are 🤔
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