Spilling The Tea
The power of tea is widely recognized and utilized throughout the world. Countries such as China, Japan, India, the UK, and Morocco have deep-rooted cultural ties to tea and often use it medicinally. It is not as much a part of American culture, due in part to the early negative associations with countries that were habitual tea drinkers. However, for many Americans interested in holistic remedies, drinking tea for its amazing health benefits is becoming the norm, largely thanks to social media and the internet.
I was never much of a tea drinker myself until my parents took a trip to London, where they tried high-quality teas with delicious flavors. A kitchen drawer was soon revamped to include pretty much any kind of tea you could wish for, and I quickly began making a cup before bed on the regular!
This all happened before I began studying nutrition, but as you might imagine, once I started learning about the effects of food on our bodies and a more Eastern approach to medicine, tea and herbs were definitely part of the syllabus. Since then, I’ve been trying different teas for their health benefits and have a few in my nightly rotation that I truly find make a difference. If one of them piques your interest, I’ll have the specific ones I like linked—simply click the underlined titles to view the product.
Out of all the teas I drink every night, peppermint is probably the one I choose most consistently. It is great for relieving an upset stomach, bloating, and is an overall good option for the end of the day due to its ability to relax stomach muscles and aid in digestion.
If you suffer from acne, spearmint tea can be helpful due to its potential to reduce hormone levels that contribute to breakouts. While there’s no conclusive scientific evidence linking the two right now, many people have seen a noticeable difference in their skin after drinking it regularly (myself included).
Second only to peppermint among my most frequently consumed teas is dandelion. While I don’t love the taste (some compare it to herbal black coffee), the benefits far outweigh the flavor. Dandelion tea is great for liver support, as it contains polysaccharides that help in the detoxification process.
My favorite herbal tea might just be milk thistle. It has a light, citrusy taste that’s absolutely delicious! Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for supporting the liver, treating acne, and even protecting healthy cells for those undergoing chemotherapy.
I think of rooibos as green tea’s cousin. It provides similar benefits but is caffeine-free. Its flavor is smooth and naturally sweet, and I think it makes a great vanilla-flavored tea.
Nettle tea is a good source of vitamin K which is necessary for our bodies ability to heal wounds and build strong bones. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties (have you noticed a pattern yet?).
If you follow me on social media, you know my love for matcha. The caffeine provides a sustained energy opposed to the “jittery” kind and since it is such a condensed version of green tea, it really packs an antioxidant punch!
Tea is more than a cozy beverage, it's a simple, accessible way to support your body naturally. Whether you're trying to improve digestion, clear your skin, support your liver, or just relax at the end of the day, there’s probably a tea that can help.
Let me know if you try any of these or have your own favorites! I love hearing what’s working for others on their wellness journeys.
Until then, I’ll be sipping something warm and herbal before bed—cheers to small rituals that make a big difference.