Everyday Teas

Having a few key herbs at home can be a great way to support your body naturally. Below are gentle, safe teas to keep stocked in your kitchen:

Teas for Digestion

These teas can help ease bloating, nausea, sluggish digestion, or occasional stomach upset. Fresh and loose leaf tea would be the go tos, but if don’t stress and use what you got, whether it’s tea bags or even powder.

1. Ginger Tea

• Benefits: Warms the stomach, relieves nausea, reduces gas and bloating.
• How to Use: Slice fresh ginger (3–5 slices), steep in hot water 5–10 minutes. Add lemon or honey if desired.

2. Peppermint Tea

• Benefits: Soothes the digestive tract, relieves gas, calms spasms.
• How to Use: Steep dried peppermint leaves (1 tsp) in hot water for 5–7 minutes.
• Note: Avoid in cases of acid reflux or if symptoms worsen.

3. Fennel Seed Tea

• Benefits: Reduces bloating, supports digestion, relieves cramps.
• How to Use: Lightly crush 1 tsp fennel seeds, steep in hot water 10 minutes.

4. Chamomile Tea

• Benefits: Calms the stomach, relieves tension, supports gentle digestion.
• How to Use: Steep chamomile flowers (1 tsp) 5–7 minutes.

Teas for Colds & Flu

These teas may ease sore throats, cough, congestion, and help your body fight infection. Get creative and mix and match or enjoy them as singles.

1. Ginger Tea (Sheng Jiang)

• Benefits: Warms the body, relieves chills, body aches, and nasal congestion.
• Best For: Chills, clear mucus, fatigue, tight neck/shoulders.
• How to Use: Simmer fresh ginger slices (3–5 pieces) in water for 10 minutes. Drink warm, bundle up, and rest.
• Caution: Avoid if you feel hot or have a sore throat and yellow mucus.

2. Cinnamon Stick Tea (Gui Zhi)

• Benefits: Warms the body, improves circulation, eases chills and stiffness.
• Best For: Chills, stiff neck, clear runny nose, fatigue.
• How to Use: Simmer 1 small cinnamon stick in 1–2 cups water for 10 minutes.
• Caution: Avoid during active fever or sore throat.

3. Mint Tea (Bo He)

• Benefits: Helps relieve sore throat, headache, red eyes, and feeling hot or irritable during early stages of a cold.
• Best For: Colds with mild fever, yellow mucus, or sinus pressure.
• How to Use: Steep 1 tsp dried or a few fresh mint leaves in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Drink warm.
• Caution: Not ideal for chills, clear mucus, or if you feel cold easily.

4. Chrysanthemum Tea (Ju Hua)

• Benefits: Cools the body, clears red or irritated eyes, eases mild headaches.
• Best For: Red eyes, headache, mild fever, tension from stress or heat.
• How to Use: Steep 5–6 flowers in hot water for 5 minutes.
• Caution: Avoid if you're chilled or have loose stools.

5. Thyme Tea

• Benefits: Natural expectorant, antiviral, supports lung health.
• How to Use: Steep ½–1 tsp dried thyme in hot water 5–7 minutes. Add honey to soothe throat.

6. Elderflower Tea

• Benefits: Promotes sweating to help reduce fever, clears nasal passages.
• How to Use: Steep 1 tsp elderflowers in hot water for 10 minutes.

Inflammation

Turmeric Tea (Golden Tea)

• Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, supports immunity, soothes joints and mucous membranes.
• How to Use:
• Simmer ½ tsp ground turmeric in 1 cup of water or plant milk for 5–10 minutes. (avoid dairy if we are working on digestive issues, or are on stage 2)
• Add a pinch of black pepper to enhance absorption of curcumin, turmeric's active compound.
• Optional: Add honey and cinnamon for taste and extra benefits.
• Note: Turmeric may interact with blood thinners and should be used with caution in gallbladder conditions. Occasional use in tea form is generally safe, but higher doses or supplements may not be appropriate.

Tips for Use

• Use only 1–2 cups per day unless advised otherwise.
• If pregnant, nursing, or on medications, consult before use.
• Use loose herbs or high-quality organic tea bags.
• Drink warm, not scalding hot, to avoid irritating the throat.

Questions about what’s right for you?

Ask email at cindy@genhwellness.com or text 615.854.7225