Most of the people I know swear by coffee to start the day, but personally? I just don’t feel ready to wake up and face the music until I’ve had a piping hot cup of English breakfast, with plenty of milk and sugar!
I’ll drink coffee, too, when I really need the caffeine boost — but I’ve always been a fan of the ritual of making a cuppa, whether I stir in the tea bag by hand, or brew a whole pot using this clever coffee maker trick.
But recently, I discovered that there’s an extra bonus to this long-standing morning habit: you can brew a home remedy for tons of common ailments in a snap, with nothing but a tea bag!
Whether you’re suffering from a sore throat or a stubborn headache, making a cup of tea is often the best DIY solution to help you feel better in a jiffy.
While we aren’t saying tea can treat absolutely everything, it definitely seems like a good start to tackle those minor illnesses and irritations that won’t send you to the doctor, but might make you uncomfortable.
Which of these soothing tea remedies would you try? Let us know in the comments below — and please SHARE with all the tea lovers in your life!
Thumbnail Credit: Flickr
Sniffles And Sore Throat: Lemon Tea
Everyone enjoys lemonade as a tart and refreshing summer treat, but what about lemon tea?
This tangy, flavorful concoction is one of the tastiest teas around, but it also has a host of medicinal benefits.
In particular, lemons are loaded with Vitamin C and other antioxidants, perfect for staving off seasonal sniffles.
The powerful acidic properties of lemon tea are also especially good for soothing a sore throat.
Lemon tea is easy to buy, or you can make your own from dried lemon rinds. You can even add a bit of honey for an extra boost!
Headache And Poor Circulation: Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon is another cozy, warming spice that might conjure up images of Christmas cookies or your morning oatmeal.
This flavorful and familiar bark isn't just good in mulled cider, though; soaking cinnamon sticks in hot water yields a rich, strong tea that can help cure a stubborn headache.
Because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon improves circulation and helps to reduce head pain, which is most often caused by minor swelling of the sinuses and of the facial muscles.
Menstrual Cramps And Swelling: Orange Blossom Tea
Orange blossom has a light, delicate scent that hardly resembles the citrus smell of the fruit.
While the scent might be dainty and floral, it still packs a hefty punch when it comes to medicinal properties.
Orange blossom tea is probably best known for helping to soothe menstrual cramps and swelling thanks to its gentle sedative properties.
Steep the dried flowers in hot water to make a cramp-relieving tea as often as needed.
Scratchy Throat And Cough: Thyme Tea
Most of us are used to putting thyme in our cooking, but might not have ever heard of it as a tea.
Well, we're here to say, don't knock it til you've tried it!
The dried leaves make for a simple, aromatic tea that can do wonders for a bad cough.
A hot cup of thyme tea can cure a ticklish throat, and it can also be a helpful supplement to ease the symptoms of a more serious respiratory illness.
Of course, double-check with your doctor before using this tea in conjunction with any physician-prescribed medications.
Upset Stomach: Ginger Tea
Ginger is a strong, aromatic flavor that lots of people use in baked goods like gingerbread, and in savory meals.
As a spice, it's known for clearing the sinuses and cleansing the body, but it has even more specific applications as a tea.
Steeping dried ginger root in hot water produces a spicy, warming tea that can settle an upset stomach in next to no time, and may help to ease digestive issues, particularly after a big or heavy meal.
If you feel bloated after indulging in a rich meal, a cup of ginger tea might help your body process and digest more quickly.
Anxiety And Stress: Passionflower Tea
This sweet-smelling flower has a romantic reputation, and is most often associated with lush tropical locations and its signature sweet-and-sour fruit.
It might surprise you to learn that its medicinal uses actually have little to do with "passion," and everything to do with feeling calm and collected.
In fact, when passionflower is dried and taken as a tea, it's an effective home treatment for anxiety, and might be especially good for calming racing thoughts.
To use this tea, dry the leaves and soak in hot water for about 10 minutes. Drink about three times a day to see effects.
Sleepiness And Brain Fog: Peppermint Tea
Need a little pep in your step, but don't like the jittery feeling of caffeinated beverages? Well, let's just say that peppermint came by its name honestly!
This aromatic herb associated with chewing gum and breath mints is also a well-known energy-booster.
The strong smell stimulates our senses and contributes to clarity of mind and can help you focus on the problems in front of you.
Drinking it hot with honey in the North African style is also a soothing and delicious way to get your game face on for the workday!
Restlessness And Anxiety: Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is probably one of the most popular home remedies around, and with good reason!
These pretty white flowers look like daisies fresh, but dry the plant into a tea, and it becomes an incredible, insomnia-fighting superfood!
The soporific effects of chamomile are well-documented; it has anti-anxiety properties that help quiet the busy brain and prepare the drinker for bedtime.
Drinking a cup of chamomile about an hour before bed, in conjunction with other good habits, should make it easier than ever to reach dreamland.
If you like the sound of these simple and effective home-brewed remedies, let us know about your favorite in the comments below!
And don't forget to SHARE for anyone looking into solutions for minor ailments!
