10 Tasty Teas to Relieve Common Ailments

For generations, people have instinctively brewed a nice cup of tea whenever there was a need for sympathy, soothing, or warmth. Traditional healers have also used tea to alleviate the symptoms of many illnesses. The trained healer may combine any number of exotic ingredients for complicated cures. Luckily for the rest of us, some of the best remedies are already in our cupboards.

If you have a sniffle or a cough or some other nagging complaint, you may want to sample some of my favorite comfort teas. Most of these can be purchased in your local supermarket, or you can easily make your own from fresh or dried herbs.

A general rule for making your own healing herb tea is:

4 teaspoons of the fresh herb or 1 teaspoon of dried herb

1 cup of boiling water

Put the tea bag or tea ball into a cup, pour the boiling water in, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.

A spoonful of honey may be added to any of these teas. Honey is not only a delicious and healthful sweetener, it also has antibacterial properties to help in the healing process.

1. Peppermint

   Traditionally used to soothe upset stomach, and for colds and stress relief. Combined with cloves, this tea is said to relieve mild depression

2. Sage

   Has astringent properties that may ease sore throat when used as a gargle, and said to eliminate congestion.

3. Chamomile

   Often used for insomnia, indigestion, and as a mild sedative

4. Celery seed

   Traditional remedy for arthritis (use ½ tsp seeds to ½ cup water)

5. Echinacea root

   A classic blood purifier and often used to relieve the symptoms of colds

6. Licorice

   popular remedy for symptoms of menopause

7. Angelica

   Used for headache and depression

8. Marjoram

   Long used to help those who are trying to stop smoking

9. Raspberry leaf

   Loaded with Vitamin C, raspberry leaf is said to aid in weight loss and ease the discomfort of morning sickness

10. Ginger

    Generally used to treat nausea and menstrual cramping. Ginger stimulates circulation to help you feel warmer on those chilly winter days. For a bit of extra sweetness, stir your ginger tea with a cinnamon stick.