Sip on Some Wellness: 4 Herbal Tea Blends & Benefits

As much as I love a good cup of coffee, I also enjoy a soothing cup of tea. I especially love herbal tea blends because they also provide incredible health benefits such as improved digestion and stress relief. But if you’ve never tried herbal teas, it can be overwhelming and a bit daunting to know where to start.

So, I’m going to share a few of my favorite herbal teas and their uses. I’ll also review some of the basics of which herbs and herbal teas to look for depending on your ailment. The more you learn, the more you can enjoy experimenting with herbal tea blends or even try making your own herbal tea blend recipes. So, let’s dive in and discuss how a cup of tea can help you feel better.

 

4 Herbal Tea Blends for Wellness

Boosting your wellness can be as simple as pouring boiling water over some dried herbs and enjoying a tasty cup of tea. It really can be that easy to make an herbal medicinal tea to help improve certain health concerns. And if you like iced tea, it’s something you can make in larger batches and just grab from the fridge.

If you’re new to drinking tea, it may be overwhelming when trying to pick a “starter tea.” After all, the choices are endless. So to get you started, I have included a few of my favorite herbal tea blends for digestion, stress, insomnia, and energy below. These are just a few healthy herbal teas to help you address some of the most common health complaints. You can enjoy them as either hot tea or iced tea, depending on your climate and personal preference.

As always, if you are experiencing ongoing symptoms or struggling with a chronic condition, don’t attempt to self-diagnose; see your healthcare provider.

1. Digestion

Indigestion is a common complaint from many of my clients. Bloating, nausea, and feeling full and “blah” is no fun, especially when it can be so easily remedied. Several studies have shown that ginger can help to prevent and relieve nausea and vomiting. [1, 2] Because of this, it’s no surprise that sipping on some ginger tea is a great way to enjoy a cup of herbal tea for nausea relief. In fact, I love ginger so much that I even use it in my golden milk.

In fact, ginger tea was something I made for my mom regularly while she was undergoing chemotherapy. It helped ease her discomfort, making the remainder of her life far more comfortable. Not to mention, ginger tastes fantastic. I like to add it to many of my recipes to get its benefits in lower doses.

Another delicious herb that also helps to support digestion is peppermint. Peppermint herbal tea benefitsmake it a soothing herbal tea for upset stomach. Whenever I’m dining out, I like to sip on peppermint tea during or after dinner. Not only does it smell like heaven, but it also helps to ease my full belly after overindulging on that delicious food I just ate.

One of my favorite herbal tea blends for digestive issues that combines ginger and peppermint and several other key digestive herbs is Stomach Ease by Yogi Tea.

2. Stress

Man, do I love lavender. I use it everywhere—on my pillow, as essential oil perfume, and in my home diffusers. It’s also a common component in my medicinal herbal tinctures. It’s lovely and helps to uplift your mood, yet very relaxing at the same time! You may be familiar with using lavender essential oil to help relax and relieve stress. While lavender provides soothing aromatherapy, it also can help to alleviate stress when consumed as a tea. [3, 4]

Another herb that’s proven to help calm anxiety and stress is chamomile. [5, 6] Chamomile also acts as a carminative, meaning it soothes upset tummies, making it another awesome choice for a post-meal tea. It’s also incredibly calming to the nervous system. To enjoy the flavors and benefits of both lavender and chamomile, I recommend trying Honey Lavender Stress Relief by Yogi Tea. It’s one of my favorite herbal tea blends to enjoy after a stressful day.

3. Sleep

Falling asleep and staying asleep can be a real struggle. Maybe you’re finding it hard to wind down after a busy day or you’re dealing with a lot of ongoing stress. For me, there is something about a hot, steamy drink in the evening that helps me wind down. Not only do some herbal blends show physical benefit, but the routine of holding a mug and enjoying a hot drink also helps to calm my body in preparation for rest.

As a result, herbal teas can be a great addition to your “sleep routine.” When combined with strategies to help cope with stress and relax, they can really make all the difference.

A couple of herbs in particular are proven to help with relaxation and sleep. I mentioned some of the chamomile herbal tea benefits in the last section, but they also extend to sleep. [7, 8] Another herb that is especially helpful in promoting rest is valerian. [9, 10] Unfortunately, valerian does possess a strong flavor that you will either love or hate (I personally love it!). That said, it blends well with other herbs, such as peppermint, to make it more palatable.

When I have trouble sleeping, one of my favorite go-to herbal teas is Organic Nighty Night by Traditional Medicinals. This tea combines chamomile, passionflower, catnip, hops, and linden along with spearmint, lemon verbena and lemon peel to produce a tea that tastes delicious and helps you to unwind. The company also make a stronger version called Nighty Night Extra that includes valerian, which is often thought of as “nature’s sleep aid.” Each tea includes different active herbs. One version may be more effective for some people and vice versa.

If you find that you’re struggling with chronic insomnia or difficulty sleeping on a regular basis, you may need to see your healthcare practitioner to rule out any other health conditions that may be contributing to your sleeplessness.

4. Energy

Do you find yourself dragging in the afternoon after lunch? Or maybe you’re just feeling a little tired and need a boost. Instead of going for that latte or espresso, consider trying tea to give you an energy boost. While “regular” black tea will provide a caffeine kick, you may also want to try green tea or white tea for added antioxidant health benefits. Not only does green tea also include some caffeine, but research shows that it includes antioxidant and metabolism-boosting properties. [11] White tea is also considered a type of green tea and it has many similar benefits. [12]

One of my favorite herbal tea blends to sip on when I need an energy boost is Asian Jasmine 100% White Tea by The Republic of Tea. It has a smooth, subtle flavor that not only energizes me, but also gives me a small break from the demands of the day. Like I mentioned before, there is something calming about holding that warm cup of tea and savoring the flavor.

 

Herbal tea blends - Dr. Pingel

 

Key Takeaways