Winter herbal teas supplement plant-based diets, ensuring vital nutrients during colder months for optimal health. There are a plethora of incredible mixes that offer numerous health advantages.
The dried leaves, seeds, petals, and roots of plants are used to make herbal teas. Because of their biological activity, the ingredients in them have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
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Herbal teas are becoming more and more common among practitioners of traditional medicine worldwide
The market for herbal tea is expected to expand by more than 6% between 2021 and 2026.
Herbal teas gained popularity for cancer and heart disease prevention, female health enhancement, and other benefits.
Specialists Regarding This Article
- Erin Stokes, ND, naturopathic doctor and the medical director of MegaFood, based out of Colorado
- Laura Rubin9, Clinical herbalist and holistic gut health coach
In any case, incorporating tea into your daily routine is a great way to brighten your day. I put together a list of winter herbal drinks with the help of a few experts in herbal medicine.
With the assistance of a few herbal medicine professionals, I created a list of wintertime herbal drinks.
Winter Herbal Teas: St. John’s Wort
Hypericin, the plant’s powerful medicinal ingredient, has long been used to prevent depression in St. John’s Wort. It equals SSRIs in treating mild-to-moderate depression, yet with fewer adverse effects, showcasing its efficacy.
You might come to enjoy the slightly bitter flavor of St. John’s Wort. For me, it works best to sweeten my cup with a little honey.
Herbal Teas for Winter: Rosemary
One of Laura Rubin’s favorite wintertime teas is rosemary, according to the clinical herbalist and holistic gut health coach. “It’s a wonderful herb that’s warming and soothing and anti-viral and anti-inflammatory,” she says. It also improves memory4, cognition3, and immunity in our bodies.
In a brief trial, participants who drank rosemary tea for just 10 days showed higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for nerve cell survival and growth, which translates to increased memory and learning.
You can enhance the woodsy taste of rosemary tea with a little squeeze of lemon.
Best Herbal Teas to Stay Warm: Ginger
Erin Stokes, a naturopathic physician and MegaFood’s medical director, claims that this herb has a naturally warming and calming effect. It’s one of her favorite herbal teas during the winter because of this.
Moreover, ginger tea works well as a home cure for nausea7. According to Stokes, “it can also help to settle an upset stomach.” In addition, ginger contains heart- and nerve-protecting, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been discovered to enhance insulin sensitivity and combat cancer8.
Stokes recommends grating fresh ginger and putting it in a cup of hot water, or using an organic ginger tea bag. She explains, “I like to add lemon and a little honey.”
Nettle leaf: A Nutritious Winter Herbal Tea
Because this extremely nutritious herb is abundant in vitamins and minerals—”even more so than kale,” according to Rubin—she suggests it. Phylloxanthobilin, a phytochemical found in stinging nettle, has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Meanwhile, nettle is a good herbal remedy to support immunity and defend against disease due to other plant elements such as flavonoids and carotenoids.
Rubin says nettle leaves are an excellent addition to tea or a soup stock. If you want to enhance its grassy flavor, you can add citrus or mint.
Matcha: The Ultimate Winter Tea
Matcha, a premium Japanese green tea that has been powdered, is another herbal tea that Stokes lists as a “must-have” for wintertime. “Drinking a matcha latte has a calming yet concentrated effect that is unlike from having a cup of coffee,” she explains. She says matcha’s L-Theanine boosts focus and stress response, with less caffeine than coffee.
Catechins, which counteract the damaging effects of free radicals linked to aging and disease, abound in matcha. Our bodies sustain damage from free radicals as a result of our immune systems’ continuous battle against illness. Matcha comes to the support.
Chamomile: A Calming Winter Herbal Tea
Researchers extensively studied and valued the ancient herb chamomile. Never drank tea before? Due of its subtle flavor, it’s a good tea to start with. According to Rubin, “this calming digestive aid calms our nervous system and helps bring about a more cheerful state.” “It is even pet-friendly and helps to promote calm and ease.”
But it’s more than just a mood enhancer. The component known as α-Bisabolol found in chamomile is the cause of its numerous health advantages, which include defense against germs, cancer, heart disease, and more.
Goldenrod: A Digestive Aid for Winter
According to Rubin, goldenrod (Solidago) is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an excellent carminative (it helps pass gas). As a result, she believes, it may aid in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Additionally, due to its anticatarrhal properties, it can help the body break up mucus and provide relief from respiratory illnesses that may arise during the cold and flu season.
Remember: According to Rubin, “people with sunflower allergies/sensitivities should avoid or use caution when growing goldenrod as it is in the Asteraceae family.” It can also have substantial diuretic effects, so people who have liver or kidney impairments should speak with their doctor or another qualified medical professional before using it.
Echinacea: Immune-Boosting Winter Herbal Tea
I give my kids a cup of echinacea tea if they complain of having a sore throat or cold symptoms. Echinacea enhances immunological response, among other benefits of various herbs. It might help lessen other respiratory infections’ intensity and persistence.
However, Rubin cautions that one should only use echinacea for a brief amount of time—generally no longer than eight weeks. This is because its immune-stimulation properties are so potent that it may affect individuals with liver problems or hyperstimulate the immune systems of those with autoimmune diseases.
Rubin notes that, as with any herbs, you should consult a physician or other qualified medical professional to determine if it’s suitable for you.