The Herbal Teas
Hawthorn Berry or flowers - Hawthorn has a very strong reputation as a safe herbal tea for the heart. It also tends to normalise blood pressure. It is ironic that when scientists made a heart drug based on a plant, they chose the poisonous Foxglove (digitalis) as a starting point, rather than the benign Hawthorn. However, if you do have heart problems for which you are taking drugs, before taking Hawthorn, I would advise you to consult a practitioner who understand the actions of both drugs and herbs. One group of such practitioners in the UK are herbalists who have 'MNIMH' (Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists) after their name.

Hawthorn Drops are also available, which some people find more convenient than tea, or use to supplement their tea.

Chamomile - Chamomile has a reputation as a herbal tea for soothing the digestion. This is through its action as a muscle relaxant - it lessens tension in the gastro-intestinal tract. So, Chamomile tea is a good one to use after a meal. It is safe for children - certainly as young as 2 years (give an amount relative to body weight as compared to an adult).

Peppermint - Peppermint herbal tea can be a stronger muscle relaxant than Chamomile, so again it is useful to drink after a meal. It is also 'anti-emetic', which means that if you have nausea for any reason, it tends to calm this. If you find the taste too strong, then make it very, very weak - and you may then find it pleasant.

Meadowsweet - Meadowsweet does not have much taste, but it is a great herb tea for helping the stomach to digest food. Drink it half an hour before or after a meal. It has the reputation of balancing stomach acid. The feeling we interpret as 'too much acid' may, in fact, be caused by 'not enough acid - at the right time'. So Meadowsweet is a good tea to help here, as it is 'amphoteric' - it increases where there is too little, and decreases where there is too much. If you find it bland - add a little Peppermint or Chamomile.

There are some Digestive Teas available which include Meadowsweet in a blend.

Licorice - Licorice makes a soothing and healing herbal tea for the lining of the stomach and intestines. It is a good tea if you have a tendency to get ulcers in these places; it is not a complete treatment, though - see a natural healthcare practitioner for this. (The cause is usually related to stress. I know antibiotics are being used for treatment recently - but, in my view, these do not get to the underlying cause.) Licorice Capsules, Drops and Teas are available from various suppliers.

 Slippery Elm - Another great soothing herb for the gut (gastro-intestinal tract). If you have wounds (ulcers), spasm or inflammation anywhere in the gut, drink lots of Slippery Elm Tea. This is ideal for IBS and Colitis, for example - some users say "miraculous". Slippery Elm is very benign - that is, very safe. You can even make your Slippery Elm very thick - and apply it on the skin to help healing. Slippery Elm has a reputation for being nourishing and easy to digest - hence its use to assist recovery from illness, and for the elderly.

Making Slippery Elm Tea: Slippery Elm comes as a powder (avoid the one with sugar added). In a largish bowl, mix a teaspoon of powder to a paste with cold water. Slowly add a cupful of hot water while whisking - otherwise you will get lumps. Pour into a cup. Add a little honey if desired.

Red Clover - This is known for its 'blood purifying' effects - in other words, it is good for detox and general health. It also contains some 'phytoestrogens' - which make it beneficial for women - take it to help periods or menopause.

Nettle - Nettles have a reputation of being nutritious and also detoxifying. Nettle Tea is thus a good general tea to use every day.

Ginger - Ginger Tea is usually made by simmering a few slices of fresh ginger for a couple of minutes in water. Ginger, again, relaxes spasms, with the added property that it has an affinity for the abdominal area. So use it if you want to influence the abdomen. 

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