Nothing is better than a hot cup of tea when you're feeling stressed or relaxed. When we experience negative emotions, people tend to rely on diverse medications or unhealthy habits, such as alcohol or cigarettes.
In some cases, people eat when feeling stressed. Not many know that chewing is a natural way to relax. During the process of chewing, our body releases endorphins, which give us a boost of happiness. This is why many people fall into the trap of eating out of stress. But don't be fooled; when experiencing negative feelings, our digestion doesn't work the way it should, and the things we eat while in a bad mood are filled with negative energy that we end up projecting onto the world.
With that said, instead of depending on such bad choices, we could use a natural remedy that Mother Nature so willingly left for us to use: healing herbs that we can consume.
- Chamomile – helps digestion and the soul
What is nicer than a light, relaxing tea with such a delicate flavor like chamomile? It contains natural oils that relax the smooth muscles of our stomach. Three cups a day will make digestion easier, ease stomach pain, or any signs of colitis. Choose only 100% pure chamomile flowers with a strong apple aroma. Use a spoonful of flowers for a cup of water. For any chronic problems, make sure to follow the chamomile treatment for at least two months.
- Lemon balm – reduces anxiety and insomnia
This plant with a citric flavor helps you in the most tense moments of life, eases your anger, and even light forms of depression. Relax your body with one cup of lemon balm tea before going to bed for a good night's sleep. Choose fresh or dried leaves that hold a strong flavor of menthol lemon. Use a spoonful of leaves for a cup of water and drink as much as your body needs; the sky is the limit.
- Passion flower – leads your way to a restful sleep
The flower, vines, and leaves contain substances that have been proven to have light sedative qualities. It is said to be one of the best cures for insomnia by naturopathic doctors, and it is extremely helpful if you feel a lot of anxiety during your sleep. It is also used for treating neural pain, general epilepsy, and spasms. Use a tablespoon of dried leaves for your cup of relaxing tea and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
- Mint – helps get rid of indigestion problems
Fresh or dried, the tea from this plant is an excellent way to ease stubborn digestion and unwanted stomach gases, but it also relieves nausea and any feelings of vomiting. Don’t use other plants that have a menthol flavor, such as spearmint (Mentha spicata), because only authentic mint holds the digestive help you need, meaning menthol. Use a spoonful of leaves (or more, depending on personal taste) for each cup of water.
- Rosemary – can make headaches a thing of the past
This aromatic plant is not only a good asset to add to your favorite dish, but it can also relieve certain kinds of stress-induced headaches. Because rosemary helps keep blood vessels as dilated as possible, it can prevent headaches caused by vasoconstriction (when blood vessels narrow down). For the best outcomes, it is recommended to drink rosemary tea unsweetened, 3 to 4 times a day.
- Sage – gets rid of night sweats
As discussed with Rosemary, sage is usually used in kitchens to add more flavor to food, but the same herb can reduce or even eliminate night sweats, allowing you to relax and have a good night's sleep. It is also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, making it a good idea to keep sage tea nearby. To prepare the tea, use four tablespoons of dried sage for each cup of boiling water. Cover it well and let it steep for at least four hours to benefit from its advantages.
- Thyme - reduces cough, bronchitis, and sinus pressure
Enjoy an intense cup of thyme tea to help relax bronchial spasms that trigger coughing fits due to colds or bronchitis. Rich in phenol, a powerful antiseptic, this tea can also help alleviate sore throats, so make sure you never run out of thyme during winter! Use two teaspoons of dried thyme for each cup of water, let it steep for 10 minutes, and drink one cup up to three times a day.
Other teas that you may want to try for their incredible properties include burdock, which can help prevent cancer and purify your blood; catnip, a great herb for stress relief; cinnamon, which can help prevent diabetes and be a great addition to your weight loss program; and hops, which may be unexpected but can help with irritability and ADHD, providing great stress relief benefits.
How to prepare a cup of tea
When getting ready to enjoy a cup of tea, remember not to boil the water. It is common practice to not let the water go beyond 80 degrees Celsius to avoid destroying the living nutrients in these wonderful healing plants.