Supplement Series: Herbal Teas 🍵
Calling teas a supplement may sound like a stretch. But stick with me! Herbs are powerful. In fact, roughly 40% of modern medicines are derived from plants 🪴, fungi 🍄🟫, and microbes 🦠. Synthetic pharmaceuticals are often designed based on findings in nature (but produced synthetically due to cost, efficiency, and quality control). Some well know examples include aspirin (willow bark), morphine (opium poppy), chemotherapy drugs (Madagascar periwinkle), and penicillin (a type of mold).
The amount of plants, and therefore teas, is enormous. I supposed you can steep just about anything. Below are some of my favorites for supporting female health. They are also easily accessible.
🌱Nettle: a natural antihistamine and mineral rich. Great for seasonal allergies and supporting liver detoxification.
🌼Dandelion: also great for liver detoxification (essential for hormonal balance). Great for those with water retention.
🪵Liquorice: antiviral and a potent antioxidant. Great for suppressing viruses and reducing inflammation.
🌸Echinacea: also antiviral and a potent antioxidant. Great for suppressing viruses and reducing inflammation.
🍄🟫Reishi: antiviral and antibacterial. Great for boosting the immune system and managing stress.
It must be said: you have to consume these herbs in relatively high concentration and with regularity in order to see the benefits. But one to two cups a day of strongly steeped nettle or dandelion tea is something I regularly do (particularly during my luteal phase when detoxification is key). Tea blends including multiple herbs are also widely available. If there’s a particular tea you’ve been curious about (or a symptom you’d like to address) let me know and I’ll try to address it in a future post.
Warm regards,
Donelle