10 Teas For Natural Health

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Tea is the world’s most popular drink, after water, and can be an excellent alternative to drinking coffee thanks to its low (or no) caffeine count and various health properties. Here are some fantastic teas to support natural health.

* NB> Rankings in no particular order.

 

1. Lemon, Ginger and Turmeric Tea

  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh ginger, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh turmeric, thinly sliced
  • Juice of ¾ lemon
  • 16-20 oz of water (4-5 cups)
  • Optional: Honey for sweetness

Add water to a teapot or sauce pan, and boil. Remove from heat and let it cool for a minute. Place ginger and turmeric in a tea ball or cloth tea bag and place in a mug. Squeeze lemon juice into the mug. Pour hot water over the top, and add honey if desired. Steep for at least 4-5 minutes. You can leave tea bag in while you drink if desired. Allow to cool slightly prior to drinking.  *If you do not have a tea ball or cloth tea bag, place ginger and turmeric directly into mug, steep and then strain into another mug. Serves 2.

A great tea for cold and flu season. Lemon is high in Vitamin C and Potassium and is great for fighting colds, stimulating brain and nerve function and detoxification.Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help fight aging, heart disease, and illness. Ginger is great for stomach cramps and nausea due to morning sickness or motion sickness.

 

[Source: 1]

 

2. Honey, Rooibos and Goji Tea

  • Rooibos tea
  • hot water
  • raw honey, to taste
  • 1/2 cup of goji berries
  • ice cubes
  • 2 lemons, sliced

Add 1-2 tea bags to half a pitcher of hot water. Add honey as desired and 1/2 cup of Goji berries and stir. The berries should plump and soften. Fill the rest of the pitcher with ice cubes or cold water. Add sliced lemons, stir and serve. For sweetener, add more honey as desired. Makes 1 Pitcher. Enjoy!

Goji berries are great as they boost immune function, increase alkalinity, protect the liver, improve blood quality and provide anti-aging benefits. Rooibos is Caffeine free, packed full of anti-oxidants and helps to improve skin, blood circulation and encourages restful sleep.

 

[Source: 2]

 

  1. Iced Mint Green Tea
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 3 green tea bags
  • 1 lemon, freshly squeezed.
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 4 stalks lemongrass (for garnish)

Combine mint leaves, tea bags, lemon, honey and boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes; remove tea bags. Refrigerate until chilled.  Divide among 4 large ice-filled glasses. Garnish with a stalk of lemongrass.

Green tea is full of antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and raises HDL (that’s the good cholesterol) and aids weight loss by boosting metabolism. Alternatively, drinking warm water with lemon and honey first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to cleanse the liver, remove toxins and flush fat from the body.

 

[Source: 3]

 

      4.  Pregnan-Tea 

  • 4 cups Raspberry Leaf
  • 1/2 cup Mint Leaf
  • 1/4 cup Stevia Leaf
  • 1 cup Nettle Leaf

Mix and use 1 tablespoon if brewing by the glass or 1 cup if brewing by the gallon. Add more or less Stevia to taste. Enjoy!

Wellness Mama Katie created this special tea that helps keep nausea and digestive troubles at bay and also helps strengthen the uterus. The nettle provides Vitamin K, an essential nutrient for pregnancy and birth to help with clotting.

 

[Source: 4]

 

  1. Green Tea with Peppermint, Nettle Kick
  •  1 cup Green tea leaves
  •  1 cup Dried Nettle leaves
  •  1 cup Dried Peppermint leaves

Mix green tea leaves, nettle, and peppermint in a glass Mason jar with 1:1:1 ratio, increase amounts for a supply that will last weeks. Cap jar tightly and shake to mix. Use about 1 Tablespoon of tea leaves per cup of tea. Adjust based on flavor preference.

This green tea packs an antioxidant punch, with flavorful peppermint leaves and anti-inflammatory nutrient-rich nettle. Brew tea hot or serve iced for a deliciously refreshing summer drink.

 

[Source:  5]

 

  1. Ginger Mint Comfort Tea
  • 2 cups water
  • 3-4 fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 inch fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon raw honey or pure maple syrup

Place a teapot of water on the stove and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, peel your ginger root using the top of a spoon dragging it along the skin to remove. Slice the ginger into fine slices. Place your ginger, lemon juice and mint leaves into your mug and add hot water. Find peace and happiness 🙂

Ginger is great for stomach cramps, arthritis and nausea. Mint’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin infections and are a great remedy to relieve the pain caused during menstrual cramps. Mint’s anti-bacterial properties help fight bad breath and tooth decay.

 

[Source: 6]    

 

  1. Lemon Dandelion Tea 
  • 20 dandelion greens (about 2 loosely packed cups)
  • 5 cups water
  • 1 garlic clove, cut in half
  • 1 lemon

Thoroughly wash greens and set aside to dry. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add greens and garlic, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and strain into a pitcher. Squeeze 1 Tbsp. lemon juice into a mug, then pour in the tea. Yields 3 ½ cups.

Nikki’s Notes: Dandelions greens are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and potassium and help with healthy digestion. I suggest taking this tea an hour or two before bed, as it aids in detoxification and elimination. In other words, don’t drink this before a job interview! Also, if taking medicinally or as part of a detox regime, please consult your doctor or holistic healthcare provider.

 

[Source: 7]

 

  1. Summer Floral Tea
  • ¼ cup rose petals
  • ¼ cup spearmint
  • ¼ cup hibiscus
  • 1/8 cup lemon balm
  • 1/8 cup chamomile

Fill one, 8 oz. jar with dried or fresh herbs — yields approx 24 cups of tea. Use fresh herbs if you have them. If not, dried herbs will work. Just use half the amount.Mix all the herbs together and store in a tightly-fitted eight ounce container.Use about two teaspoons of the mix per cup of boiling water. Allow to steep 15 minutes, then strain through a sieve and pour. Serve warm, or store in the fridge and serve over ice. Tip: this tea makes an amazing ice cube.

Hibiscus is a rich source of antioxidant vitamin C, important for keeping the immune system strong and for collagen formation. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and is great for stress and anxiety. Warning: Using Chamomile during pregnancy is not recommended.

[Source: 8]

 

9. Turmeric, Honey & Ginger Tea

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Splash of nut or soy milk
  • Raw honey, to taste

In a small saucepan, bring water to boil. Add Turmeric and Ginger, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in milk and strain tea into a cup. Add honey and enjoy!

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps fight aging, heart disease, and illness. Ginger is great for stomach cramps, arthritis and nausea due to morning sickness or motion sickness.

 

[Source: 9] 

 

10. Fennel Chai Tea Latte

  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cardamom seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods with seeds
  • 1 teaspoon crushed cinnamon stick

In a small saucepan over medium high heat, combine fennel, cardamom, coriander, fenugreek, cloves, star anise and cinnamon pieces.   Toast for 40 seconds or until seeds begin to sizzle and pop. Set aside to cool.Transfer to a glass jar with a lid and store in a cool dry place.

To make tea:  Grind a small amount in a coffee grinder.  Place 2 teaspoons of ground Chai Tea Blend in a small saucepan with 1 cup of milk of your choice (Dairy, Almond Breeze, Rice Dream, Hemp) and one quarter cup of water.   Simmer on low for about 10 minutes, strain into a mug, sprinkle with grated nutmeg and serve.

Fennel aids in digestion and helps the body prevent gas formation and constipation. Fenugreek contains choline, which studies show may not only help slow mental aging, but also calm PMS and symptoms of menopause. Cinnamon is high in calcium, fiber and manganese and helps form strong bones, metabolize fat and regulate blood sugar and is essential for optimal brain and nerve function.

 

[Source: 10]

 

Many of these teas are detoxifying, while others have antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to picking your teas, it helps to be guided by the flavors you enjoy and your individual health goals.

 

For More Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Life, Check Out: www.organichealth.co.za

 

What is Your Favorite Tea Recipe? Share Below: 

 

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Article Sources:

  1. Glowing Wellness: http://www.glowingwellness.com/
  2. Honey and Velvet: http://www.honeyandvelvet.com/
  3. Eating Well.com: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/iced_mint_green_tea.html
  4. Wellness Mama.com: http://wellnessmama.com/5442/health-boosting-herbal-teas/
  5. Margaret Wertheimrd.com: http://margaretwertheimrd.com/
  6. Yogaglo.com: https://www.yogaglo.com/
  7. Nikki’s Healing Kitchen: http://www.nikkishealingkitchen.com/
  8. Quiet Earth Yoga.com: http://www.quietearthyoga.com/
  9. MindBodyGreen.com: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12262/anti-inflammatory-turmeric-ginger-tea.html
  10. Healing With Nutrition: http://www.healingwithnutrition.ca/
Christopher Drummond
For Simple Ways To Live A Healthy Life, Visit: www.organichealth.co.za