For centuries herbal teas have been used throughout the world as the main delivery system of a culture’s medicine. Plant material was chosen from the surrounding regions for the properties that would suit the illness at hand. An herbal infusion was made by using the aerial portions of a plant and steeping them in water for several minutes to hours. An herbal decoction was made by using the woody portions of a plant, the bark and roots, and simmering them over heat for several hours. Preparing teas in these ways allowed the medicinal properties of the plant material to be drawn out of the plant and into the water. This form of medicine is highly bio-available to the body and therefore the desired approach for addressing a large number of ailments in many cultures.
Herbal teas of many varieties have been used traditionally for supporting the immune system, soothing the sore throat, controlling fever, and a multitude of other uses. Just about any ailment native people were confronted with they were sure to have a tea to treat it with. Plants were used not only for teas but also as their food source. For this reason, it was a natural choice for them to turn to the same nutritive plants to create a stronger healing presence in the body.
Herbal teas have remained popular as a beverage today because they are flavorful, soothing, warming, and generally give us a sense of calm and well-being. However, as a culture we under rate the true healing benefits of teas and overlook this simple, yet powerful, system of healing. It may possibly be that we have also lost the healing power found in the ritual of tea drinking. There are not many opportunities in our world today to stop momentarily and just peacefully focus on the intricacies of our bodies and our need for balance in the physical, mental, and emotional realms. Drinking an herbal tea for what ails you will support the body, but that support becomes amplified when we can focus on these other aspects of drinking a cup of tea.
Many herbs make amazing teas. To truly support calm and well-being let’s discuss a few herbs geared toward that very thing.
Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
Chamomile promotes emotional balance and soothes temporary nervous tension. This herb is specific for individuals who are restless, irritable, sensitive, complaining, and argumentative. This soothing herb also helps control the inflammatory and allergic response within the body. Chamomile is superb for temporary nervousness that may affect digestion, indigestion, flatulence, ulcers, and cramping. This herb is also gentle enough that it can be used to soothe temporary irritability in colicky babies.
Chamomile is also known to be a “plant doctor” in the garden; when placed next to a sickly plant you will notice renewed vigor, energy, and growth in that plant which is consistent with chamomile acting as an excellent tonic for people as well. The gentle support this modest flower gives is powerful in the body.
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)
Lemon balm eases mild temporary nervous tension while promoting normal healthy nervous system function. This flowering herb has a slight lemon smell and taste and is very uplifting to the senses. Lemon balm is well suited for anxiousness, restlessness, seasonal affective disorder, maintaining normal healthy blood pressure, and irritability associated with stress. Lemon balm is also slightly calming to the nervous system and has had some success with easing discomfort associated with migraine headaches, mild temporary depression, and disrupted sleep. Hot infusions have shown to be most beneficial in these instances as opposed to a cold infusion. This herb pairs well with other herbs for a synergistic effect in promoting normal nervous system function.
Passiflora incarnata (passionflower)
Passionflower is a flowering herb that supports normal nervous system function, promotes restful sleep, and eases normal mild temporary nervous tension. This is a premier herb for individuals with restless agitation and exhaustion. This relaxing nervine relieves cerebral irritation and has also been used for easing excitability and sleep disturbances due to nervousness. Passionflower tends to be calming and grounding to the body’s energy.
Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap)
Skullcap supports normal nervous system function, promotes restful sleep, and eases normal mild temporary nervous tension. This herb is specific for individuals with nervous fear, restless sleep, cardiac irritability and nervousness due to mental overwork or physical exertion. These individuals may have a hard time paying attention, may anger easily, and may sometimes experience a dull headache that gets worse with light, noise, or odors.
Hibiscus sabdariffa (hibiscus)
Hibiscus flower adds a beautiful red, or rosy color, to a tea. This herb has a tart, lemon-like flavor, which is cooling and uplifting. This nourishing herb contains vitamin C as a component and is delicious in both hot and cold teas.
Lavendula angustifloria (English lavender)
English lavender is calming to mild temporary nervous tension. The flowers are used well for headache and muscle spasms due to nervous tension, and mild temporary depression where an individual feels as if they are “in a fog.”
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
Licorice supports normal adrenal gland function. This root is also sweet and nutritious making it a wonderful flavoring agent in a tea as well as nourishing to the liver and adrenal glands.
When making an herbal tea, you must first decide whether you are using aerial portions of a plant or roots and barks. Aerial portions will be infused in either hot or cold water for ten to fifteen minutes up to several hours. Roots and barks will need to be simmered on low heat for a similar amount of time. The above herbs can be used singularly or combined for a very flavorful and beneficial tea for supporting normal nervous system function.
Remember that the act of drinking the tea is as calming to the system as the tea itself. The benefits of the herbal tea will be much more powerful if you can stop for five minutes, sip your tea, and focus your thoughts on being calm and peaceful. Take several deep breaths and enjoy the aroma of the tea. You just may find a new inner calm and serenity that you have been missing. Drink tea and be well.
Kris Vaughan, CH
Kris Vaughan, CH
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