Pantry Check: Essential Herbal Teas

Part of what I’ve taken to calling “the complete human experience” is that we don’t feel perfectly well 100% of the time. Cramps, headaches, nausea, sore throats… add in flu season or seasonal allergies, and staying well (or well enough to function) can become a chore.

In addition to seeing a doctor regularly, prioritizing quality sleep (HA!), working up a sweat a few days a week, and eating a wholesome diet, I like to layer in some herbal teas. These function as a first wave for addressing for mild physical complaints. At one point in human history, many of these teas would have been referred to as “simples,” because they were essentials to keep in your pantry for simple maladies and illnesses. And... these teas are delicious enough to drink simply for enjoyment. (Consult your doctor, this is not medical advice, etc.)

Nausea and Lower Gastrointestinal Complaints: Ginger Tea

Ginger in nearly any form has been time tested with great success in the treatment of mild nausea. I can attest that it generally works for me with only two exceptions: nausea due to morning sickness and nausea due to seasickness. I don’t know if there is a cure for morning sickness, but Unisom + B6 did reduce the number of times a day I tossed my cookies while pregnant. I’ve never cracked the code on seasickness.

For ginger tea, peel a two-to-three inch ginger root and slice it into half-inch slices. Bring these to a boil in sixteen ounces of water and then turn off the heat. Allow it to steep for at least ten minutes. Sip slowly and take deep breaths. This can also be poured over ice for an iced ginger tea if the heat exacerbates your nausea.

Head Cold and/or Upper Gastrointestinal Complaints: Peppermint Tea

I have a habit of working when sick. Whether this habit is "good" or "bad" is up for debate, but I cannot tolerate wallowing in how awful I feel in my body, so I dive into work. A stuffy nose, however, will prevent most attempts at dissociating from a headcold. A strong cup of peppermint tea can act as an anti-inflammatory for swollen throats and sinuses. Bonus points are awarded to this tea because peppermint contains antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral compounds.

I strongly prefer peppermint tea hot, as the steam can help soothe sinus passages. Steep a quarter cup of fresh peppermint or two tablespoons of dried peppermint in boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes. Strain and sip.

Sore Throat: Slippery Elm and Licorice Root

It was from conversations with an opera virtuoso that I first learned the benefits of slippery elm for swollen throats… enter, Throat Coat Tea by Traditional Medicinals, the secret weapon of vocalists across the nation. This herbal powerhouse is packaged into bags by many brands, but loose-leaf blends are not widespread. You may need to special order bulk dried slippery elm and licorice root if you are avoiding teabags. I like to add a bit of honey after steeping for both the sweetness and antibacterial properties. This tea requires a steep time of approximately fifteen minutes.

For a bad head cold, I like to start a pot of Throat Coat tea steeping, hop in a steamy shower and drip some peppermint oil on the shower floor for a spa-inspired decongestant effect. By the time I’m out, the tea is ready to sip.

There are a plethora of herbal teas on the market, but these three are staples in my household. We try to keep it simple. While I do also keep basic herbs in my gardens and dry them for use in the kitchen, licorice root and slippery elm do not make the cut. Sometimes the convenience factor of a prepackaged tea is simply worth it. That said, stick to the loose-leaf varieties when available as they are generally higher quality than what is packaged in single-use teabags (even those silk pyramid bags!).

With love,

E