How to choose the right herbal tea to regain well-being

Herbal teas and infusions for physical and mental well-being

How often do we struggle to get to sleep at night? Sometimes we are kept awake by thoughts of things to do the next day, sometimes we have been subjected to too much stimulation just before going to bed, other times we have faced perhaps a somewhat heavy dinner and digestion makes us struggle. Or maybe we need a burst of energy in the morning because we struggle to wake up, but we don’t drink tea or coffee: what to do?

Herbs and nature come to our rescue! Herbal teas that aid relaxation and conciliate sleep, infusions that help us digest and relieve our stomachs before bedtime, invigorating herbs and spices to give us a morning boost-the solutions are many. And besides the specific benefit given by the properties of the natural ingredients, this little morning or evening practice allows us to take a moment just for us. Yes, because preparing a good herbal tea and sipping it calmly, perhaps before going to bed, is a real pampering, a pleasure that we allow ourselves to take a moment to catch our breath, put everything on pause and focus on our well-being.

In this article we will look together at what are the best herbal teas to relieve common daily ailments and nourish the spirit by choosing natural remedies and carving out some space for yourself.

Difference between herbal tea and infusion

Herbalism is an interesting science that offers so many natural solutions for many ailments: among the various remedies it makes available to us, we have herbal teas and infusions, which are caffeine-free, pleasant to drink and easy to source and prepare. Before we delve into the world of herbs and see which ones can help us, however, it is worth making a small clarification: herbal tea and infusion are not the same thing.

The word herbal tea indicates a product consisting of several ingredients: herbs of different types, spices, flowers and dehydrated fruits, chosen for their properties and assembled to create a harmony of flavors. Sometimes a sweet or particularly aromatic herb or ingredient (such as anise, jasmine, orange, or mint) is used to correct any “bitterness” of a specific component.

Infusion, on the other hand, is made of only one ingredient or several parts of the same plant: for example, a mint infusion will contain only mint leaves, a hawthorn infusion will be made only of hawthorn flowers, and so on. In this case, maximum use is made of a single element with its beneficial properties: less intriguing than an herbal tea with many flavors and colors, but enormously effective.

Herbal teas that promote relaxation

One of the most common problems we face on a daily basis is stress: an ailment that afflicts everyone, given the hectic pace of life and work to which we are constantly subjected. This results in trouble getting to sleep, constant muscle tension, headaches or outright insomnia: how to remedy it?

The best remedies to promote relaxation and sleep are based on ingredients such as hawthorn, chamomile, linden, lemon balm, bitter orange, lavender, and valerian.In addition to single-ingredient infusions, there are several herbal teas that satisfy everyone’s palate, assembling tastes that are sweeter and fruitier or more floral and fresh. Making your own infusion or herbal tea, handling the natural ingredients, observing their textures, shapes and colors and letting the scent tickle your nostrils, is already relaxation and even a bit of magic. Sipping a cup, calmly savoring the flavor and perhaps indulging in a teaspoon of honey for even more sweetness, is a true pampering that will begin to relax the mind and body.

An excellent product to promote evening relaxation, for example, is the Dolce Far Niente herbal tea, which, among other ingredients, contains chamomile, lemon balm and lavender flowers: the taste is delicate and floral–natural or with a teaspoon of honey it is a moment of sweetness that in itself contributes to relaxation and well-being.

For those who want to dare and indulge in the ultimate in relaxation practices, there is even a “bath herbal tea.” Herbal Bath Blend Ritual, with lavender, jasmine, chamomile, scutellaria, Sacred Basil and safflower, to infuse directly into the tub! Perfect for indulging in a spa bath that relieves stress, relaxes muscles and softens dry skin. A truly dreamy treatment!

Herbal teas and infusions to aid digestion

Other frequent ailments that we can relieve with natural remedies are those related to poor digestion. Let’s see what herbs and spices can come to our aid in this case:

• Lemon balm: a common plant that has the power to calm an upset stomach. Herbal teas and infusions made from lemon balm leaves are also very pleasant to drink, either hot or lukewarm: lemon balm has a fresh, slightly citrusy taste that is somewhat reminiscent of lemon.
• Ginger: a well-known and beloved root with a mildly spicy and refreshing flavor that can be consumed in many ways to relieve stomach pain and nausea. To take advantage of its properties, there are those who eat it candied, those who prefer to consume it in powdered form along with foods and drinks, and those who prefer it fresh, cutting small pieces and adding them to hot water along with some lemon juice. The ginger-based herbal teas, in addition to being very pleasant to the taste, actually help with digestion and relieve nausea.
• Mint: another popular plant that has fantastic benefits for our digestive system and intestines. In addition to helping against heaviness, nausea and heartburn, taking regular infusions made from mint leaves can relieve irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disorders. Mint leaves, with their fresh and pleasant taste, can be infused alone or together with other ingredients to enhance their properties.
• Fennel: Fennel seeds are great for those suffering from meteorism and a bloated belly. The taste is naturally sweet and goes well with licorice and cardamom, as in the Ayurvedic mix of our Pitta Herbal Tea, also enriched with cinnamon, ginger and rose petals.
• Cardamom and aniseed: these are so-called “carminative seeds” that help especially in cases of bloated belly and intestinal gas, leading the body to eliminate what causes pain or discomfort.

Revitalizing herbal teas and infusions to regain your energy

In the morning it is not always easy to carb up. Some people find comfort in a steaming espresso, some in a nice cup of tea, but there are also those who prefer to avoid caffeine-don’t despair! There are excellent energizing herbal teas that are right for you. Let’s see together what the magic ingredients are for a tasty and effective morning boost.

• Rhodiola: an excellent remedy for mental and physical fatigue and stress. An herbal tea that contains high percentages of rhodiola root among other ingredients will help you counteract drops in energy.
• Ginseng: an adaptogenic tonic that wakes up the metabolism and fights exhaustion, of Asian origin. Ginseng is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to restore energy and strengthen our body’s immune system. Again, the root of the plant is used for herbal teas, infusions and decoctions.
• Rosemary: a plant famous in Italy perhaps more for its culinary uses than for medicinal purposes. In fact, rosemary is an important resource for those who need to start the day with freshness and energy: the Body and Soul herbal tea combines it with peppermint, turmeric, and ginger in a spicy and taste-pleasing mix that follows Ayurvedic principles.

Herbal teas and infusions–flowery!

For times when sweetness and wonder are needed, there are herbal teas and infusions made from flowers: fragrant and romantic, they also look beautiful and with their colors bring a little cheer to our cups.

An infusion of small Asian rose buds, for example, such as the Yunnan Golden Edge Rose: refined and delicate in taste, is a small gift we can treat ourselves to from time to time and takes us with our minds and hearts to the center of a flower garden.

Or a osmanthus flower infusion, perfect for the fall season because it blooms right in September and October: with its natural notes of honey and apricot, it pampers the palate and leaves a sweetness that is also transmitted to the heart.

Herbal teas and infusions: a valuable ally in everyday life

As we have seen, plants and the many elements we find in nature represent a valuable and affordable resource for alleviating minor health ailments and unpleasant psychophysical states. The discovery of how many natural solutions we have at our disposal is truly amazing: ailments such as transient inflammation or frequent anxiety and stress situations can find an ally in herbal teas and infusions to be taken once or several times throughout the day.

But what gives us at least 50 percent of the well-being is the very act of stopping and preparing something for ourselves, to be enjoyed from the comfort of the sofa while reading a good book or watching TV in the evening, or while listening to the radio in the morning before leaving the house and heading to work. Rediscovering ancient tastes, the scent of flowers in the cup, the sweetness and strength of nature encapsulated in leaves and roots, the contact with the earth: these are experiences to indulge in, to really breathe and reconnect with ourselves.

Discover all herbal teas and wellness infusions in our online shop: treat yourself to a pampering and find some time for yourself!