Hawkins Holistic

There are so many wonderful, nourishing herbal teas on the market, and it can be overwhelming to navigate through the plethora of options. I’d love to help you!

First off, I’ll share a bit about my new-found love & respect for herbal teas.

I love coffee. I crave the taste and the accompanying pick-up. If I’m staying overnight at your place I will definitely be asking about the morning’s coffee plan! Alas, too much of this good thing is a bad thing for this girl – and anyone for that matter. But it’s especially the anxiety prone individual that will benefit from limiting coffee intake to a maximum of 2 cups a day (e.g. one tall coffee at Starbucks). I love to sip something all day, and water can become a bit blasé. I like a little “added benefit” to my beverages. Enter herbal teas.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxant, an energy boost, a sleep inducer or mood enhancer, herbal teas can fit the bill.

Are you anxious or restless?
Try: LINDEN, CHAMOMILE
Why: Linden has been used for centuries to treat anxiety. It shifts the autonomic nervous system into the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system where anxiety cannot exist. Linden tea exerts a soothing effect on the body, calming nerves and heart rate. Chamomile is a gentle and sweet-smelling herb that is calming to the body and helpful with irritations of all kinds. For those reasons it has made its way into many households worldwide. Chamomile alone is not a strong sleep aid, making it suitable for day time consumption (unless you’re unusually drowsy!).

Are you having troubles sleeping?
Try: LEMON BALM, VALERIAN, PASSIONFLOWER
Why: Valerian root is a tonic-type herb that calms the nervous system in times of anxiety and stress. It is commonly used to treat insomnia, comparing favourably in effectiveness to prescription drugs! Lemon balm‘s calming effects make it a great tea for addressing sleep problems, especially if the troubles are associated with a racing mind and restlessness. The passionflower plant contains chemicals that have calming, sleep inducing, and muscle spasm relieving effects. You’ll likely find passionflower included in a tea along with other plants/herbs, as opposed to solo.

Are you hitting that afternoon slump?
Try: ROOIBOS, LEMON GINGER, GREEN TEA
Why: Rooibos is chock-full of powerful antioxidants, giving you a healthy energy boost sans caffeine. It’s also known to improve circulation so perhaps partake in some light stretching along with your cup. Lemon ginger tea will perk up your taste buds, warm your stomach, and the scent is invigorating. One cup of green tea offers a small dose of caffeine (35 mg) which can induce a pleasant physical alertness (not shakiness!) while also inviting mental clarity (not brain overdrive!). Just keep it to one cup to stave off caffeine’s negative effects.

Are you looking for some internal cleansing?
Try: DANDELION ROOT, BURDOCK ROOT, MILK THISTLE
Why: Dandelion root is a mild laxative and diuretic that supports liver and kidney function (our two main detoxifying organs).  Burdock root is known for its effectiveness in cleansing the blood and supporting the liver. It’s often recommended by naturopaths, herbalists and holistic nutritionists in the treatment of acne/blemishes because of this action. Milk thistle detoxifies, protects, and heals the liver, making it a good choice for those of us who often imbibe in alcohol or use pain killers. Most detox teas on the market will highlight one or more of these key cleansing herbs.

Are you looking for a mood enhancer?
Try: HOLY BASIL
Why: Holy basil, aka “Tulsi” or “The Incomparable one” (!), has recently gained popularity in North America yet has been grown in India for more than 3,000 years, where it is considered sacred. Holy basil is an adaptogen, meaning it enhances the body’s natural healing response to physical and emotional stress. Adaptogenic herbs do not alter mood, but rather, they help the body function optimally during times of stress. Many of us are unknowingly walking around with depleted levels of stress-managing chemicals, and this results in the experience of chronic stress. If left unattended to, this can grow in to a more serious mood disorder. If you have a mood disorder or regularly experience high-stress situations, I recommend adding holy basil tea to your daily self-care regimen.

Many of the herbs mentioned above are described as the “base herb” of a tea, and 2 or more herbs may be combined by the producer for maximum medicinal effect (e.g. a night-time blend or detox blend). Flavour is important too, and while many teas taste great as they are, you’ll likely come across fruit or dessert flavouring added to teas. This is okay so long as the flavouring is natural and doesn’t add chemicals and artificial sugars/colouring to your brew.

A simple way to enhance the flavour of your chosen herbal tea is to add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. This will also increase its antioxidant punch.

My favorite brands are Yogi Tea and Traditional Medicinals because they have gotten herb combining down to an art, and their standalone herb teas are superstars themselves! Look in the health section of your grocer to see what your options are. If you’re struggling to find any of the varieties mentioned and you live in Canada try Well.ca. They offer free shipping on orders over $25 CAD and a great variety.

I’m always happy to answer any questions you have. Feel free to contact me 🙂

Naturally yours.

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

Note: I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned in this article. Praise is earned & is my own!