Herbal teas have plenty of benefits, so why drink them only in winter? In fact, there are many tea recipes that you can drink both hot and cold. They even prove to be very handy in the warm months as they are cooling, thirst-quenching and great allies when fighting water retention.
We had a pharmacist and phytotherapist, who specializes in galenic chemistry, tell us all about them:
Here are 8 herbal teas, perfect for any need.
Versatile Herbal Teas: Sip Them Hot or Cold for a Multitude of Benefits
Drinking herbal tea in the warmer months, either cold or at room temperature, is an excellent natural remedy to combat exhaustion, bloating, water retention and to absorb minerals and vitamins that are lost through sweating. The beneficial properties are truly countless.
“Two aspects in particular should be taken into account when preparing herbal teas,” explains Dr. Anastasia Oka, Russian by origin and Tuscan by heart. “The right combination of plants, according to the effects you wish to achieve, and the various preparation steps.
“My advice is to measure with a tablespoon and let the ingredients infuse in a glass or ceramic container, tightly covered, for at least 15 to 20 minutes in a liter of boiling water. Once you have stirred and strained your herbs, your tea is ready to be enjoyed.”
As the lingering warmth of summer envelops us, consider elevating your tea-drinking experience by adding a few ice cubes or briefly cooling it in the refrigerator (where it can also be stored for up to a couple of days).
Optimizing the Benefits: When and How to Enjoy Detoxifying Herbal Teas
“The time when we decide to take an herbal tea is key, and it changes depending on the issue we want to address and the properties of the plants themselves,” Dr. Anastasia Oka shares.
“Purifying, diuretic and laxative ones should be taken in the morning and on an empty stomach; Hepatoprotective, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, restorative and remineralizing ones an hour before meals.
“While the digestive and carminative ones should be drunk after your meals; the sedative and calming ones rather before bed,” the doctor adds.
Be mindful of the medications you are currently taking and make sure to adjust the dosage accordingly. “With benzodiazepines, hypericum should be avoided. Never overdo it with chamomile because if too concentrated it could have an adverse effect rather than a relaxing one.
“If you are looking for a calming effect, also suitable for children, a balanced combination of hawthorn, lavender and chamomile create a perfect blend,” adds the doctor.
After typical vacation excesses and intemperance, you may also be wondering how to speed up the elimination of toxins and fight water retention.
How to Purify & Eliminate Toxins
“Try horsetail, which has detoxifying and draining effects, or pineapple, which contains bromelain, a set of enzymes with anti-inflammatory effects as well (in fact, suitable for cystitis sufferers).
“It’s always best to take them half an hour before meals; In this way, you take in the properties more effectively and also feel fuller,” comments the doctor, who divides her time between working in a pharmacy in Florence and the medicinal herb and natural remedy workshops at Castello di Casole — a magnificent hotel belonging to the Belmond group in Casole d’Elsa, Siena — where she teaches how to prepare herbal teas and customized healing oils.
When it comes to refreshing and flavored waters, a delightful concoction for this season may include a blend of peppermint, strawberries, lemon slices, damask rose petals, and fresh rosemary. These infused waters offer a pleasing way to stay hydrated while tantalizing your taste buds.
Dr. Oka highlights their benefits, noting, “They are good for the essential oils they release and the taste they give. However, for those seeking more potent and targeted effects, herbal teas remain the superior choice. The unique properties of herbal teas offer a broader spectrum of wellness benefits compared to flavored waters.
“Additionally, the beauty of herbal teas lies in their accessibility. Some herbs, such as mint and lemon balm, can be easily cultivated right on your balcony, allowing you to create these healthful elixirs right at home.”
8 Recipes to Explore: The Ingredients and Their Healing Properties
Draining and Detoxifying Herbal Tea
- Birch (diuretic and depurative)
- Horsetail (diuretic, mineralizing, astringent, hemostatic)
- Juniper (diuretic, tonic, aromatizing, balsamic)
- Sage (diuretic, healing, tonic, stimulating, expectorant)
- Elderberry (diuretic, emollient, expectorant, anti-inflammatory)
Digestive Herbal Tea
- Ginger (anti-inflammatory for the stomach and esophagus, digestive)
- Mint (digestive, anesthetizing, carminative, antibacterial, antispasmodic)
- Green anise (digestive, carminative, antispasmodic)
- Laurel (digestive, stomachic, antiseptic)
Calming Herbal Tea
- Linden (calming, sedative, antispasmodic)
- Passionflower (sedative, antidepressant)
- Orange blossom (calming, relaxing, hypno inductive)
- Lemon balm (sedative, calming)
Herbal Tea for Deflating a Bloated Belly
- Mint (digestive, carminative)
- Green anise (carminative, digestive, stomachic, spasmolytic)
- Fennel (anti-inflammatory, depurative, cooling, balsamic, carminative)
- Chamomile (carminative, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, healing)
Herbal Tea to Enhance Memory and Concentration
- Lemon balm (antispasmodic, antiviral, antibacterial)
- Rosemary (balsamic, antiseptic)
- Mint (refreshing, expectorant)
Herbal Tea Against Insomnia
- Hawthorn (sedative, relaxing, calming)
- Lavender (sedative, antidepressant)
- Lemon balm (sedative, calming)
- Hypericum (sedative, antidepressant, relaxing)
- Angelica (calming)
Thirst-Quenching and Refreshing Herbal Tea
- Peppermint (analgesic, refreshing, digestive, rich in vitamins and minerals)
- Strawberries (activate metabolism, combat cellulite and oxidative stress)
- Lemon slices (disinfectant, thirst-quenching, refreshing, rich in vitamins)
- Damask rose petals (combat fatigue, muscle tension, stress, insomnia, and liver disorders)
Herbal Tea for the Change of Season Against Fatigue and Bowel Irregularities
- Dandelion (diuretic and depurative)
- Nettle (depurative, antibacterial, healing)
- Dried raspberries (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant)
- Horsetail (diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory)
- Lemon balm (sedative, antispasmodic, antiviral, antioxidant, hormone regulator)
Explore these herbal concoctions and discover the world of wellness that awaits you with each sip. Welcome the changing seasons with a refreshed body and a rejuvenated spirit, as you embrace the powerful potential of herbal teas for your post-summer recovery.
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This article first appeared on grazia.it — Author: Beatrice Tomasini
