Warming Teas

This tea will restore waning energy, without the crash that comes with coffee or sugar. Zesty spruce has a high dosage of vitamin C, so it was used by early Europeans to help ward off scurvy. Today, vitamin C has been shown in recent research to reduce fatigue. Rhodiola naturally boosts energy levels while relieving stress, and mint refreshes and awakens.

1 part fresh or dried spruce needles 1 part fresh or dried wild mint (or peppermint) 1 part dried rhodiola root

Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes.

Digestion

This tea blend is formulated to kick-start sluggish digestion and to calm stomach upset. Wild mint stimulates digestion, is thought to soothe stomach irritation or nausea, and promotes the flow of bile. Yarrow, a flower in the same family as camomile, is used to calm indigestion and heartburn.

1 part dried or fresh yarrow (flowers, leaves, and stems) 1 part dried or fresh wild mint (or peppermint) Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes.

Antistress

Too many deadlines can leave us feeling frazzled. This stress-relieving tea uses the power of valerian root to ease anxious feelings, and the scent of juniper berries is said to calm the nerves. Goldenrod may reduce inflammation. This is also a great bedtime tea.

1 part dried valerian root 1 part fresh or dried juniper berries 1 part fresh or dried goldenrod (leaves and flowers) Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes.

Cold and flu

Drink this tea to fend off any viruses coming on. Nettle is thought to help modulate the immune system and provide some antiviral effects, while camomile might help fight infections and boost the immune system. The menthol in wild mint helps open up sinuses and calm the stomach, and a final squeeze of fresh lemon gives a boost of vitamin C.

1 part fresh or dried nettle leaves 1 part dried camomile 1 part fresh or dried wild mint (or peppermint) Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (as a garnish, to be added after steeping)

Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, and enjoy.

Beauty

This tea can help make hair shiny, nails strong, and skin glowing. Horsetail has the power of silica, which helps strengthen fingernails, hair, and skin, while blueberries—high in antioxidants—help prevent long-term skin cell damage. Wild rose petals are thought to have antioxidant effects. When brewing this tea, keep blueberries and rose petals unfiltered and chew them as you sip to enjoy the full benefits.

2 parts dried horsetail 1 part dried organic blueberries 1 part fresh or dried wild rose petals

Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes.

Weight management

Drink this tea before and/or after meals to reduce cravings and encourage mindful eating. Bedstraw has been used traditionally for weight loss and as a diuretic. Dandelion also acts as a mild diuretic and has been shown in animal studies to help support and protect the liver, which regulates fat storage and controls blood sugar. Munching on dried apples and/or raisins while drinking this tea can increase satisfaction by providing fibre and sweetness.

1 part dried or fresh bedstraw (leaves and roots) 1 part dried or fresh dandelion leaf 1 part dried or fresh dandelion root Pinch of raisins and/or dried apple (to float on top of tea)

Use 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tea per 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 7 minutes.