Medicinal Teas for Your Pantry
What I love most about tea is how accessible it is. Most grocery stores have a great selection of teas that are both tasty and medicinal. In this article, we are going to chat about some of my favorite teas to keep in your pantry so that you have a little extra support for those sleepless nights, stomach aches, and sore throats.
Herbal Medicine & My Love for Herbs
I have always been a tea drinker, but my appreciation for it really blossomed while in medical school. Herbal medicine quickly became one of my favorite treatment modalities, and it still is today! Each herb is unique with its own flavor, chemical compounds, and medicinal uses. What I love most is that with these differences in mind, I can create personalized blends or formulas that address the whole body.
Creating tea blends and tincture formulas is a true art. It takes education, experimentation, and intuition. One of my favorite hobbies is experimenting with herbs. This form of creative expression got away from me over the last 18 months (yeesh, what a doozy), but I am so ready to begin creating again. Keep an eye out both here and on my social media for more on herbalism and bringing it into your everyday life. But before we do that, let’s talk about some tea blends that I always recommend having in your pantry!
Your Guide to Medicinal Teas
As you venture down the tea aisle you may notice that there are tons of options. When I am shopping for tea, I tend to stick to a few organic brands that I know and trust. These include brands like Traditional Medicinals, Pukka, Numi, and Yogi Tea. I do not have any affiliation with these brands, I really like their products. Most of what I am linking is Traditional Medicinals because they are often the most widely available.
Digestive Support
I love using herbal teas to assist with digestive upset. This includes things like stomach aches, nausea, bloating, indigestion, and even that “nervous stomach” that can happen with anxiety. So to support digestion, we look for herbs that stimulate digestion, prevent gas formation and/or relieve nausea. Below are just a few of my favorite herbs to support digestion.
Ginger - This is especially useful for relieving gas, bloating, motion sickness, and nausea (think Ginger Ale). The flavor of ginger is also warming to the body as a whole.
Fennel - Fennel and other aromatic herbs, like anise and cardamom, are known as carminatives. This means that they function to relieve gas, bloating, and cramping. Traditionally, following Indian meals, fennel seeds are chewed on to support digestion.
Peppermint - Similar to fennel, peppermint is also useful for relieving gas and bloating. It also relaxes smooth muscle, which can be useful for stomach and intestinal cramping. However, due to this muscle-relaxing action, it is not recommended for use in those with GERD.
Chamomile - Chamomile works wonders on both the digestive and nervous systems. This is a great herb for a “nervous stomach”. It also has a very pleasant flavor that most adults and children enjoy.
Many of the brands above have teas with these herbs. Linked here are a few of my favorite digestion supporting tea blends: Gas Relief Tea & Belly Comfort Tea.
Nervous System Support
In today’s world, supporting our nervous system is often forgotten. We get out of bed and are go-go-go until our head hits the pillow. These herbs are useful for relaxing the nervous system. Some are better for easing tension, and others are best for promoting sleep. I won’t be listing chamomile here, but remember its uses from the digestive section!
Lemon Balm - When I smell lemon balm, I quickly feel brighter. This herb uplifts the mood and calms the nerves at the same time. It is one of my favorite herbs for when I just need a moment of calm. It is also good for kids.
Tulsi - Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is my favorite herb of all time. It tastes very good and leaves me feeling very grounded. It provides that sense of calm without any sleepiness. It lives within the adaptogen family of herbs, which help us to better respond to stress.
Passionflower - This gorgeous herb is used traditionally to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. It is particularly useful during bouts of restlessness.
Skullcap - Similar, but different, skullcap also is useful for restlessness. It helps to ease anxiety and agitation, while also supporting restful sleep.
There are plenty of herbal blends by many different brands to support stress and sleep, but these are my favorites: Cup of Calm Tea, Nighty Night Tea, and Stress Ease Tea.
Immune Support
Maybe it is just me, but when I start to feel a cold coming on, all my knowledge somehow flies out the window. This is why I always keep these immune-supporting teas in my home. That way, it is quick and easy. These teas are especially helpful for relieving congestion, soothing a sore throat, and warming up the body.
Echinacea - Many think of echinacea when they start to get sick, and the reason for that is because it stimulates the immune system and is mildly antimicrobial. It also has a mild anesthetic effect, meaning that it is useful for soothing sore throats.
Elderberry & Elderflower - Elderberry is very popular, and it is most useful as an anti-viral. The flowers of the elder tree are also medicinal but in a different way. Elderflower breaks up mucus and calms coughing.
Licorice - Licorice root is very sweet and quite medicinal. It soothes mucous membranes, meaning it soothes any irritation in the throat. It is also antimicrobial.
Wild Cherry - This herb is used to calm harsh, spasmodic coughs while also clearing out any mucus.
These are some of my favorite immune supporting teas: Breathe Easy Tea, Throat Coat Tea, and Echinacea Plus.
About the Author
Dr. Hannah is a naturopathic doctor providing whole body adjunctive healthcare to patients in Maine and Massachusetts. She believes every patient has their own unique health journey, which influences her personalized treatment approach. She has a passion for helping women, mothers and families heal and thrive, all while uncovering the root cause of whatever ails them. Her goal is to empower and guide her patients on the path towards healing the mind, body and soul through natural methods of healing. Dr. Hannah sees patients locally in Portland, Maine. Through telehealth, she is happy to serve the people of Lewiston, Ellsworth, Belfast, Bangor, and all the towns in between! She now sees Massachusetts patients through telehealth as well!
Disclaimer
The information provided on or through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not a substitution for proper and personalized medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or trusted healthcare provider before making an adjustments or changes to your healthcare regimen. Natural medicine is not inherently harmless, and therefore it is important to speak with your healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.