Herbal Teas—The Original Superfoods

Did you know that 1 cup of high-quality herbal tea has about 300 milligrams (mg) of all the calcium, magnesium and bone-building minerals we need for a strong, healthy body? The traditional dosage of this simple yet profound superfood is 1 cup of tea, three to four times daily. So that would give us between 900 and 1,200 mg of these life-giving minerals in a completely absorbable medium each day. In addition, there are tons of vitamins and trace minerals to go along with those amazing minerals.

 

 

Here are a few of the many classifications of herbs that can be made into a simple tea. Herbs that may help you relax―think chamomile, lemon balm, blue lotus and passion flower. Herbs that provide large amounts of minerals (among many other properties)―oat straw, nettle and alfalfa. Herbs that may help you sleep―catnip, passion flower, skullcap and valerian. Herbs that can nourish your liver―dandelion, burdock and milk thistle. Herbs for seasonal allergies―elder flowers, nettle and goldenrod. Herbs that may be pain relieving―meadowsweet, feverfew, turmeric and kava kava. Herbs that may ease tummy pain―calendula, ginger and chamomile. And the list goes on.

 

You can make your tea in your soup pot (makes 1 to 1½ gallons of tea depending on the size of your pot) and store in your refrigerator so that you only have to make it once or twice a week. Here in Arizona most of us carry a quart-size water bottle with us much of the time, so we can simply substitute that quart of water with herbal tea.

 

Let’s put some of these together for delicious-tasting teas. Herbal teas can have both a short- and long-term effect. Give one … or two a try and see how you feel.

 

 

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces

4 peppercorns (smashed to release their goodness)

5 cloves

7 cardamom seeds

4 anise stars (optional)

1 cup rooibos tea

2 cups milk of your choice

Honey to taste

 

Place herbs in a pan with your milk choice. Bring to a simmer. Take off heat, add tea and stir. Put a lid on it and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain herbs, add honey to taste, sprinkle a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon on top and enjoy! There are so many options when making a chai tea; feel free to personalize this as you like.

 

 

1 oz chamomile flowers

½ oz lemon balm

½ oz cinnamon chips

¼ oz orange peel

Honey to taste (but you might not need it)

 

Put all ingredients in a pot and cover with water (about 3 to 4 cups). Cover pot and bring to a simmer. Take off stove and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, add honey if needed and enjoy. Sweet dreams!

 

 

1 oz hibiscus

1 oz rosehips

½ oz hawthorn leaves and flowers

½ oz cinnamon chips

¼ oz orange peel

Honey to taste (but you might not need it)

 

Put all herbs in a pot and cover with water (about 3 to 4 cups). Cover pot and bring to a simmer. Take off stove and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, add honey if needed and enjoy.

 

Some of the side effects you will experience after drinking herbal teas daily for a week or two include sustained energy; better sleep; stronger hair, skin and nails; normalization of the bowels; and more balanced moods.

 

With a new year upon us, what better time to try something healthy, affordable, easy and oh so yummy. The more you drink, the better you feel.

 

Here’s to a happy, herby new year!

 

 

 

Advertorial