WELLNESS KIT
Teatime Remedies
Herbal tea offers a calming comfort when you're feeling under the weather.
Like long baths and chicken soup, herbal tea offers a calming comfort when you're feeling under the weather. But some teas may heal on a deeper level: "The water-soluble plant extracts used in tea have powerful health effects," says Michael Cronin, N.M.D., a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based naturopathic physician. Here, Cronin and wife Kyle Hawk Cronin, N.M.D., share remedies for tea-treatable seasonal troubles. Although teas can't replace conventional care, "they are effective for alleviating many common ailments and are nice home remedies that people can use to enhance their treatment," says Kyle. Drink two to four cups daily to get the full healing effect.
1. For a sore throat caused by a cold or the flu, find relief with ginger tea. Brimming with healing properties, ginger tea can also alleviate motion sickness and indigestion. Try Tazo Green Ginger ($5 for 20 bags; tazo.com).
2. For symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, like a gas-bloated belly, fennel aids in both prevention and relief by gently stimulating the gastrointestinal system. Try Heather's Fennel Tummy Tea with organic fennel ($10.95 for 1 lb.; helpforibs.com).
3. To lessen menstrual cramps, drink up chamomile. Recent research in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests the herb can relieve muscle spasms. Try Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus ($7.95 for 15 pouches; mightyleaf.com).
4. "If you're under mental or emotional stress, teas provide soothing support--especially when you're feeling the effects in your gut," says Kyle. The ayurvedic herb gotu kola eases tension and restores energy, while lemon balm reduces stress and anxiety. Try Om Organics Tulsi Gotu Kola Tea ($1.50 for 25 bags; omorganics.com), or Dragonwater Tea Company Lemon Balm Mint ($5.50 for 4 ounces; dragonwater.com).
5. Chamomile is the time-worn remedy to help you drift off to sleep, though valerian is a more powerful zzz-inducer. Try Numi Tea Sweet Meadows Chamomile Lemon Myrtle ($5 for 18 bags; numitea.com) or Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea ($7.88 for two 20-bag boxes; celestialseasonings.com).
6. If you need to detox, drink dandelion root tea. "It nourishes the liver and replenishes energy that's been drained by toxins," explains Michael. Try Yogi Tea DeTox Body Purifier with organic dandelion and other cleansers such as juniper berry and black pepper ($4.48 for 16 bags; a-healing.com).
7. When a nasty cold has you sniffling and sneezing, lemongrass can act as a tonic to the mucous membranes. To give your immune system a boost, sip tea made with echinacea. Try Meru Tea Lemongrass tisane ($9 for 9 ounces; merutea.com) or BIJA Lemon Ginger Echinacea ($5 for 20 bags; florahealth.com).
8. The herb eucalyptus acts as an anti-spasmodic and antiseptic to bolster your respiratory system. To quell bronchitis and promote lung health, look for tea blends that also include Oregon grape or goldenseal. Try Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy ($4.49 for 16 bags; traditionalmedicinals.com).
1. For a sore throat caused by a cold or the flu, find relief with ginger tea. Brimming with healing properties, ginger tea can also alleviate motion sickness and indigestion. Try Tazo Green Ginger ($5 for 20 bags; tazo.com).
2. For symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, like a gas-bloated belly, fennel aids in both prevention and relief by gently stimulating the gastrointestinal system. Try Heather's Fennel Tummy Tea with organic fennel ($10.95 for 1 lb.; helpforibs.com).
3. To lessen menstrual cramps, drink up chamomile. Recent research in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests the herb can relieve muscle spasms. Try Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus ($7.95 for 15 pouches; mightyleaf.com).
4. "If you're under mental or emotional stress, teas provide soothing support--especially when you're feeling the effects in your gut," says Kyle. The ayurvedic herb gotu kola eases tension and restores energy, while lemon balm reduces stress and anxiety. Try Om Organics Tulsi Gotu Kola Tea ($1.50 for 25 bags; omorganics.com), or Dragonwater Tea Company Lemon Balm Mint ($5.50 for 4 ounces; dragonwater.com).
5. Chamomile is the time-worn remedy to help you drift off to sleep, though valerian is a more powerful zzz-inducer. Try Numi Tea Sweet Meadows Chamomile Lemon Myrtle ($5 for 18 bags; numitea.com) or Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea ($7.88 for two 20-bag boxes; celestialseasonings.com).
6. If you need to detox, drink dandelion root tea. "It nourishes the liver and replenishes energy that's been drained by toxins," explains Michael. Try Yogi Tea DeTox Body Purifier with organic dandelion and other cleansers such as juniper berry and black pepper ($4.48 for 16 bags; a-healing.com).
7. When a nasty cold has you sniffling and sneezing, lemongrass can act as a tonic to the mucous membranes. To give your immune system a boost, sip tea made with echinacea. Try Meru Tea Lemongrass tisane ($9 for 9 ounces; merutea.com) or BIJA Lemon Ginger Echinacea ($5 for 20 bags; florahealth.com).
8. The herb eucalyptus acts as an anti-spasmodic and antiseptic to bolster your respiratory system. To quell bronchitis and promote lung health, look for tea blends that also include Oregon grape or goldenseal. Try Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy ($4.49 for 16 bags; traditionalmedicinals.com).
