5 stress busting teas you can make at home
Disclaimer: If you’re allergic to pollen, you might consider chatting with your doc before taking any herbal teas. Also the following tea might make you sleepy so avoid operating any heavy machinery.
Tea has been a favourite drink of the British for centuries with around 56% of us enjoying a tea with our morning tweet, and surprisingly many of these are 18-24 year olds that admit that a cup of tea helps them unwind. Around 78 million cups of tea are drank in the UK every day and 15% of tea drinkers prefer their tea milky or a sugary builders brew. But does tea help de-stress us? well we all know the old adage of putting the kettle on in a crisis and it seams that this is good advice. A study done in 2009 showed that nearly half of tea-drinkers found the calm in drinking tea due to its quintessential Britishness and its association to cultural icons like the Queen. But is this the only reason as many teas contain calming properties such a Lavender, Chamomile and Valerian Root all known for their use in healing medicines.
So lets look at some teas you can make yourself from far more ancient sources than Tetley one cup.
Cumin Tea
This oriental spice is used globally to counter anxiety so can be used as an infusion in tea.
Tea Recipe & Instructions -
It is made by pounding some cumin seeds (around 1 tsp) and add to a mug of freshly boiled water. Leave to stand for 10 minutes, then strain the tea to remove the seeds and drink.
Valerian Root Tea
Known to be one of the worlds most powerful natural sedative, Valerian root was even used during the Second World War as a tranquilizer for injured soldiers. When purchased in tablet form the root is mixed with other herbs to reduce it’s powerful effect, so you must use dried Valerian root to make this tea.
Tea Recipe & Instructions -
Mix 15g of dried valerian root to 25g of fresh mint leaves either peppermint or apple mint to taste. Pour this into 1 pint of freshly boiled water and leave to stand for 4 hours. After this time strain the tea and drink, do not drink more than 3 times as day as the is rather strong.
Vervain Tea
Vervain has been used for centuries due to its calming properties and the Roman documented use of the tea to calm the mind. It has a bitter taste so to sweeten you can use a honey or agave nectar.
Tea Recipe & Instructions -
Place 1 tsp of dried vervain or 1 tbsp of heaped fresh vervain leaves in a teapot or cup. Cover this will half a pint of freshly boiled water and leave to stand for 10 full mins. Afterwards strain to remove leaves and sweeten with a natural sweetener.
Basil and Sage Tea
Said to be very good at counteracting the effect on the body of ‘emotional’ shock, such as an death of a loved one.
Tea Recipe & Instructions -
Use an equal measure of Basil and Sage and mix with a half tsp of dried herbs. Add this to a jug and add a half pint of boiling water. Leave this to stand for 10 mins and then strain and serve.
Passion Flower Tea (not to be taken when pregnant or during a busy day)
Used as a sleep aid this beautiful flower is best taken at night, please do not drink and then drive to a party. And only consume 1 cup every 24 hours.
Tea Recipe & Instructions -
Add 1 teaspoon of dried passionflower leaves (or 1 tablespoon fresh) and add to a jug of 8 ounces of boiling water. Let this sit for 5 - 10 mins and then strain and serve. (before bedtime)
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