The Best Herbal Teas for Relaxation, Detox, and Digestion

Settling down with a cup of herbal tea is an ideal way to unwind after a long day. Herbal tea can also help detox your system and aid digestion. In fact, there are numerous health benefits to incorporating herbal tea into your daily routine.

It’s no wonder that herbal teas have become so popular. According to a report by market research platform Gitnux, herbal tea consumption in Australia has leapt by 20% since 2015. The report also reveals that 45% of Australians drink tea for health reasons.

This post will explore a wide selection of herbal teas and discover how they can help you release stress, flush out toxins and support digestion. Once you’ve reached the end, you’ll be inspired to try out some delicious and healthy teas to add variety to your diet.

Herbal Teas for Relaxation

If you’re looking for herbal teas for relaxation, you’ll find plenty of types to choose from.

Chamomile is one of the best-loved herbal teas. It benefits your health in a variety of ways. It contains the antioxidant apigenin, which helps you feel sleepy and combats insomnia. It also promotes a feeling of calmness and alleviates the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Lavender is another herb known for its calming properties. It’s often included in nighttime tea blends for this very reason. It’s believed that compounds in the lavender plant stimulate key areas of the brain, enhancing mood and relieving stress.

If you have lavender growing in your garden, you can create your own lavender tea. Boil around 225 ml of water and add four teaspoons of fresh or dried lavender flowers, contained in a tea ball or infuser. Steep for 10 minutes, and then remove the ball or infuser and enjoy.

You can also enjoy lavender tea as a cold beverage. Prepare a jug of lavender tea and leave to cool. Refrigerate once it has reached room temperature. Serve with ice cubes, a few slices of lemon and fresh mint.

Valerian root is another natural sleep aid. It’s often included in tea blends with other plants such as chamomile and lemon balm to reduce anxiety, improve mood and aid restful sleep. Scientists believe that compounds in the plant work with receptors in the brain that regulate the nervous system. These substances can also help with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

If you love fresh, citrusy flavours, then choose lemon balm tea. Its zesty scent is a natural mood booster. This feature has been backed up by a number of studies, which have found lemon balm effective in reducing stress and anxiety and aiding sleep.

This variety also works well chilled. Add ice cubes and slices of orange and lemon to a cold jug of lemon balm tea for a refreshing and relaxing drink.

Herbal Teas for Detoxification

Let’s move on to herbal teas that help you detox naturally.

Dandelion root tea has long been prized for its ability to promote liver health. Since one of the key roles of the liver is to cleanse the blood of toxins, this is a welcome feature. Polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate) in dandelion root aid liver function by protecting cells and supporting liver and gallbladder function.

Green tea is one of the most popular and well-known herbal teas. It contains potent antioxidants called catechins, which prevent damage to the body’s cells, protect against viral and bacterial infections and may even help inhibit cancer. Antioxidants in green tea also help flush out toxins, making them an effective and natural way to detox.

If you find the flavour of green tea a little harsh, you can add freshly-squeezed lemon juice and honey to give it a lift. You can also add some flowers to the tea as it’s brewing to give it a lighter dimension. Try dried rose petals or lavender buds. Green tea can also benefit from fresh mint leaves to freshen it.

Peppermint tea’s clean, reviving taste is one of its many attractions. As well as its delicious flavour, peppermint tea offers a host of health benefits. Peppermint helps with a range of digestive issues, including gas, indigestion and bloating. It can also offer relief from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

To enjoy peppermint tea, you can either use peppermint tea bags or brew your own tea from fresh mint plucked from the garden. Simply steep a bunch of leaves for 3 to 5 minutes before straining and consuming. Some people like to add a little honey to sweeten this refreshing brew.

A compound found in the milk thistle plant called silymarin offers a whole host of benefits. It’s an antioxidant and so protects the body against damage from free radicals and disease. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. This combination of properties makes milk thistle tea a popular choice for supporting liver function and detoxification.

Herbal Teas for Digestion

Many herbal teas offer relief from digestive issues. Let’s explore some of the most popular varieties.

Ginger has long been used to reduce nausea, improve digestion and soothe the stomach. It’s believed that compounds in ginger may block a receptor in the brain that can make you nauseous, although the processes aren’t fully understood yet. Ginger is also known to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help calm the gut and alleviate stomachache.

You can enjoy ginger tea by brewing tea bags, or you can create your own beverage at home. Boil water and add some thinly sliced ginger, strain and serve. Or grate some fresh ginger into hot water. Whichever method you use, a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey work well with freshly brewed ginger tea.

Peppermint features again on our list. It’s known to relax the digestive muscles and reduce bloating, making it the perfect way to round off your meal. It’s particularly valuable after dinner, aiding digestion and helping your body to relax before bedtime.

Fennel has a distinctive, pungent flavour that can be an acquired taste. It’s worth persevering with this aromatic plant since it offers many health benefits, thanks to certain compounds and antioxidants. These benefits include helping with digestion and reducing gas and bloating. Enjoy a cup of fennel tea after meals to make the most of this powerful plant.

Liquorice root is another potent source of plant compounds. One of these, glycyrrhizin, provides many valuable health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping soothe the stomach lining and supporting overall digestive health.

Taste Your Way to Good Health

Herbal teas are safe and delicious remedies that aid relaxation, detoxification and digestion. The wide variety of flavours means there’s a herbal tea for everyone and always a new one to try.

Why not stock up on a range of herbal teas according to your health needs? You can enjoy experimenting with different flavours and variations of teas, tasting your way to the ones you like best.

One of the many advantages of herbal teas is that there are very few — if any — side effects (but do consult your doctor if you have any concerns before consuming herbal tea). And many have been proven by research to be extremely effective in addressing a variety of health issues. So, there’s no reason not to start your herbal tea journey today and look forward to better health, the natural way!