Herbal Teas for Inner Warmth
By Amy Baker
Winter just doesn't get much crazier than this! As we contend with the snow, ice, record-breaking temperature fluctuations and arctic wind chills marking this winter season, it's more important than ever to stay warm, inside and out. Herbal teas are delicious and effective allies in fighting the cold (and fighting colds and flu!). Did you know that some herbs have warming properties? Think about chili peppers ... hot, right? Though you wouldn't want to steep a pot of straight cayenne tea, adding a pinch to a basket of chai spices can add warmth and depth to your mix. Other plants boast similar, though less intense, warming qualities. Think ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, black pepper and fennel ... even pine needles! Such herbs often have other benefits, too, like aiding digestion, improving circulation and thinning mucous.
Prepared Herbal Teas
While we love blending our own herbs and spices, we adore being able to quickly pull a high-quality tea bag or two from the drawer and steep a pot in minutes. At Community Pharmacy and Community Wellness Shop, we offer a large assortment of thoughtfully blended herbal teas to keep you warm and cozy through the winter. And if you're dealing with a health issue that demands some TLC, we've got you covered there, too. Some of our current favorites:
Traditional Medicinals
Breathe Easy (fennel, ginger, licorice, peppermint, eucalyptus and bi yan pian)
Gypsy Cold Care (elderflower, yarrow, hyssop, ginger, cinnamon and more)
Ginger & Chamomile
Gaia
Bronchial Wellness (eucalyptus, grindelia, helichrysum, licorice, peppermint, plantain, star anise, thyme)
Sinus Comfort (cinnamon, eucalyptus, ginger root, green tea, holy basil, licorice, oregano, rosemary, sage leaves, thyme)
Organic India
Turmeric Ginger (turmeric, ginger, tulsi, black pepper, cinnamon, clove)
Sweet Rose (chamomile, tulsi, rose, lemongrass)
Yogi
Breathe Deep (licorice, thyme, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger)
Echinacea Immune Support (echinacea, elderberry, mullein, licorice, peppermint, lemongrass)
Four Elements
Love, Joy, Passion (lemon balm, borage, passionflower, damiana, hibiscus, rose, stevia, cinnamon, ginger)
To Your Health (nettle, echinacea, dandelion, red clover, burdock, elderflower, rose hips, orange peel, cloves)
Juniper Ridge
Douglas Fir Spring Tips
White Sage & Wild Mint
Keep a variety of tea blends in your cupboard or drawer and steep them when you need to warm up, or any time you just need a little TLC. And be sure to pop a few in your purse or bag so that you can have a delicious, healthy, steaming cup at the ready, even when you're out and about.