You probably know I love to make fresh juices and smoothies, but somehow Portland in January seems to call for a good cup of tea! So it’s only fitting that January is National Hot Tea Month! I am always ready to brew up a delicious cup of herbal tea, but how cool is it that we have a whole MONTH dedicated to drinking tea? I’m from New Zealand, so afternoon tea is a big tradition for us, but while drinking a nice cup of Earl Grey or other black tea is all right every once in a while, excessive use of black tea may deplete the body of iron and B vitamins. That’s why I’d like to encourage you to start incorporating a variety of healthy herbal teas in celebration of National Hot Tea Month! Here are my five favorite revitalizing hot tea blends to help you get started:
Is there any better way to fight cold and flu season than with a delicious cup of herbal tea? Marshmallow root Althaea officinalis is commonly used to help clear out mucous from your lungs and throat; blend it with yarrow Achillea millefolium (a fantastic febrifuge) and peppermint Mentha piperita and you’ve got one tough tea to get you through the coldest months of the year!
1-t marshmallow Althaea officinalis
1-t yarrow Achillea millefolium
1-t peppermint Mentha piperita
Directions: Pour the boiling water over the herbs and leave it to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea, and it’s ready to drink. Sweeten with organic honey to taste.
Feeling a little tense? Go ahead and take some “me” time with this soothing relaxation herbal tea blend that will warm you up and chill you out in January or any month of the year!
1-t catnip Nepeta cataria
1-t chamomile Chamaemelum nobile
1-t hops Humulus lupulus
1-t lime flowers tilia
1/4-t valerian Valeriana officinalis
1-t vervain Verbena officinalis
2-t peppermint Mentha piperita
Directions: Pour the boiling water over the herbs and leave it to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea, and it’s ready to drink. Sweeten with organic honey to taste.
If your holidays were just a little too festive, your digestive system may need soothing as you transition back to balanced holistic nutrition! Fennel is a wonderful herb for digestion, and if you’re a licorice fan, you’ll love this blend. Make sure you’re treating your tummy right with our digestive supporting tummy tea!
1-t fennel Foeniculum vulgare
1-t flaxseed Linum usitatissimum
1-t licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra
1-t oatstraw Avena sativa
Directions: Pour the boiling water over the herbs and leave it to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea, and it’s ready to drink. Sweeten with organic honey to taste.
January is the time for new beginnings and fresh starts! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Let this stimulating Clari-Tea blend help you stay focused, alert, and on the right track to accomplishing all your goals this year.
1 ½-t ginkgo leaf Ginkgo biloba
1-T gotu kola Centella asiatica
1-T peppermint leaf Mentha piperita
1-T red clover flower Trifolium pretense
1-T ginger Zingiber officinale
1-T rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Directions: Pour the boiling water over the herbs and leave it to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea, and it’s ready to drink. Sweeten with organic honey to taste.
Who doesn’t need a little rest after trying to stay on top of all their New Year’s resolutions? Above all else, you deserve a good night’s sleep in 2014, so go ahead and steep up some yummy Sleepy Time Tea and get some well-earned ZzZ’s! And if this tea isn’t enough, go ahead and check out our Top 10 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep: How to Avoid the Zombie Life!
1-t chamomile Chamaemelum nobile
1-t hops Humulus lupulus
1-t passionflower Passiflora incarnata
Directions: Pour the boiling water over the herbs and leave it to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea, and it’s ready to drink. Sweeten with organic honey to taste.
A note about quantities: Each recipe here makes one cup of tea (although you can most likely get a second or third cup from the same herbs). Once you find your favorite blends, I recommend making a large batch by increasing the quantities of herbs—keeping the ratios the same—so you always have your favorite blend on hand. Then you can just use 1-2 teaspoons of your blend for each cup of tea.
What’s the best way to make a cup of tea from loose herbs? You can get tea balls, bags, and strainers to make one cup at a time. Don’t forget the basics of making a good cup of tea, passed down from my grandmother!
There you have it! 5 great herbal tea blends to get you started celebrating National Hot Tea Month! What will YOU be steeping this January? Leave a comment to let me know!
Want to learn more about herbs, herbal teas, and herbalism? Check out the American College of Healthcare Sciences accredited online courses in herbal medicine!
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.