Stay cosy in winter with tea

How do you stay warm and healthy in this chilly weather? Alongside yoga, we suggest tea! Or rather, herbal tisanes. Winter Blues is a wonderful organic blend from Valley Tea that promotes a strong immune system and can help keep colds and flus at bay, or reduce their severity. It’s not just for colds though. When we looked up the herbs in our reference books, we were amazed at the range of effects these powerful plants can have, so we’re sharing some of the benefits here! These are the herbs in the Winter Blues blend*:

• Elderberries combat free radicals and help reduce inflammation, support the immune system, soothe the respiratory tract and can relieve coughs and congestion.
• Echinacea is well-known for immune support and preventing colds and flus, but this powerful herb also helps out the lymphatic system, and fights inflammation and viral and bacterial infections.
• Marshmallow aids with reducing mucus, soothes the skin and helps heal mucous membranes including the gut lining. A healthy gut lining is essential for getting the most out of our nutrition and maintaining a healthy immune system. Marshmallow is also useful for digestive upsets, headaches, intestinal disorders, sinusitis, sore throats, kidney problems and bladder infections!
• Lime flowers enhance the immune system, provide relief from colds and flus, aid digestion and can also help with insomnia and blood-pressure related headaches. Lime flower is calming and can reduce nervous tension.
• Rosehip tea is stimulating and restorative. It tastes wonderful, aids the body to fight infections, works as a blood tonic, provides vitamin C and boosts energy.

Winter Blues is a great tea to drink at any time, but especially in the winter months when you might be feeling more under the weather. Hopefully you enjoyed learning a little herb lore, and if this sounds like something you need a hot cup of right now, get in touch! Sarah has loose leaf Winter Blues available for purchase at the Heart Song Studio.

Happy tea drinking!

*This article is for information purposes only and is not intended as health advice.

Tisanes (herbal teas) are a generally safe way to try herbal medicine, and the Valley Tea blends we source are formulated by naturopaths, but as with anything, listening to your body and not consuming too much is key. Some herbs are not recommended if you are pregnant or on certain medications, so always check with your health professional if you are unsure.

References:

• Balch, Phyllis A. (2010). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. (5th ed.). Penguin Group.
• Bartram, Thomas. (2015). Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. (2nd ed., originally published 1998). Robinson Publishing Ltd.
• Hall, Dorothy. (1981). The Herb Tea Book. Keats Publishing, Inc.