Not everyone can or wants to take prescription (or over-the-counter) medication to aid mild ailments like nausea, headaches or stress, but that doesn't mean the only other alternative is to grin and bear it. Many herbal teas have been found to be just as effective at soothing a number of minor health problems, without the risk of over-dosing. Here are seven of our favourites:
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1. Chamomile
Possibly the number one cure-all of herbal tea, chamomile is amazingly soothing for a variety of ailments. Drink it before bed to aid sleep, or at any point to help with feelings of anxiety. It will ease stress-induced headaches, and is excellent for soothing digestive problems such as acid reflux, heartburn and colic.
2. Peppermint
Another very popular tea for its multitude of use. Peppermint tea will help indigestion and heartburn, nausea and vomiting, menstrual cramps and colds. It's also an antioxidant which means it can help minimise cell damage leading to things like heart disease and cancer.
3. Ginger
Few things relieve nausea and sickness like ginger, particularly in pregnancy and those suffering travel sickness. Like peppermint, it can also aid colds and menstrual cramps, reduces inflammation and gives the immune system a boost.
4. Nettle
If you are pregnant or suffering with mild anaemia, nettle tea is a good source of iron. It can also help with feelings of lethargy, as well as water retention as it is a mild diuretic. Plus, there's some evidence that it can even increase the metabolism, which is helpful for weight loss.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary tea is one of the best things for circulation problems, and thus can stimulate hair growth and even improve memory and brain activity. It can even aid depression (though it is far from a cure) and, weirdly, rosemary tea can also make for a conditioning hair rinse.
6. Passionflower
If you're struggling to relax and get to sleep at night, passionflower tea is a mild sedative and very calming. It can also help lower the blood pressure, treat anxiety problems and even helps with withdrawal from opioid addiction.
7. Lemon
Useful for fighting infections, lemon tea can help with colds and sore throats. It's also wonderful for detoxifying the liver, stimulating digestion and is very rich in Vitamin C which is essential for immune system function.
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