20 Healing Herbal Teas For A Cold Winter’s Day

There’s nothing quite as warming and comforting on a cold winter’s day as a cup of herbal tea. Although I still need my cup of coffee in the morning, herbal teas have become a big part of our daily life for their many health benefits. And they’re so delicious and caffeine-free.

Making your own healing herbal teas is simple, fun, and delicious. Just play around with the ingredients or steep your tea with just one herb. It’s up to you to discover the flavors you like the most. Below you’ll find a list of ingredients (with their specific health benefits) we often use for our herbal blends. Taste is something personal, so making your own blends is a process of trial and error.

As a good rule of thumb, we use 1-2 teaspoon(s) of dried herb(s) or 1-2 tablespoon(s) fresh herb(s) per cup. You can make bigger batches of your favorite tea blends and store them in a dark and moisture-free container. Most of our blends contain dried fruit mixtures to give our tea a sweet taste or you could add some honey, stevia or agave syrup instead. Fresh lemon juice can be added for its vitamin C and refreshing taste.

ALSO READ: Discover The 4 Best Sugar Substitutes

Healing Herbs And Their Benefits

1. Peppermint: a natural painkiller, reduces fever and works wonders to treat bronchitis, cold, flu, and digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, and nausea.
2. Lemon balm: dilates blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and works well to soothe digestive ailments. Lemon balm has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. It is known to calm the nerves and ease anxiety, insomnia, and stress.
3. Chamomile: natural sedative, relieves symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Chamomile has been used for ages for its calming, soothing, and sleep-inducing properties. Combines well with other soothing herbs such as valerian and hop.
4. Thyme: perfect to treat a cough and soothe a sore throat. Thyme relieves indigestion and is jam-packed with antioxidants and essential minerals.
5. Rosemary: works stimulating and has a positive effect on our nerves. Contains antibacterial, antiseptic, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties.
6. Ginger: contains a wide range of antioxidants and has antiviral, antiseptic, and pain-relieving properties. It prevents or treats flu, cold, inflammation, and a sore throat. Ginger has a mild sedative effect for a better night’s rest and works wonders to soothe the discomforts of chemotherapy. Ginger has been used for ages to cure morning sickness, motion sickness, arthritis, and migraine.
7. Turmeric: purifies the blood and helps to lower blood sugar levels. Turmeric contains high levels of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anticancer properties.
8. Cardamom pods: (crush the pod before use, cardamom has a strong flavor, we add 2 pods to our teapot which makes about 4 cups) perfect for stomach pains, cramps, flatulence, and indigestion. Clears the skin, detoxifies the body and works as a weight loss aid.
9. Cinnamon: has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Relieves nausea, flatulence, and diarrhea. It has been used to cure many gastrointestinal problems. Works well for morning sickness, lowers blood glucose and cholesterol.
10. Clove: can be used to fight infections, works as a natural painkiller, and expectorant. Clove has antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
11. Sage: wonderful to soothe a sore throat, works antiseptic, improves digestion, and helps to ease menstrual cramps.
12. Gingko Biloba: increases blood flow to the brain, which improves memory and prevents dementia and Alzheimer’s. Its antioxidants neutralize free radicals and to prevent damage and diseases.
13. Eucalyptus: highly recommended to treat bronchitis and sore throat. Wonderful cold and flu-fighter. Eucalyptus lowers blood sugar levels and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
14. Valerian: works as a mild tranquilizer. Works wonders to ease stress, anxiety, and minor depressions. Combines well with lemon balm to provide a better night’s rest.
15. Echinacea (leaves and petals): well-known for its cold and flu-fighting properties. Works antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, relieves pain and strengthens your immune system. (check out my granny’s Echinacea-elderberry cough syrup)
16. Dandelion: detoxifies the liver, its antioxidants prevent premature aging and avoid cell damage.
17. Hibiscus: adds zing to your tea and works as a natural diuretic, lowers blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
18. Milk Thistle:  detoxifies the liver, reduces high cholesterol, prevents cancer, protect the kidneys and is effective for seasonal allergies and heartburn.
19. Fennel: used as an antispasmodic, it relaxes the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract. Effective for respiratory congestion, fennel is often found in cough remedies.
20. Passionflower: natural sedative, highly recommended for insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Passion flowers lower blood pressure, relieves nausea, and stimulates testosterone and may have an aphrodisiac effect.

What are your favorite herbal teas? And what do you use them for? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box below.