In Mexico, China and many other countries there are traditional and natural medicines that have been used for centuries, many of them are herbs, whole or in parts (leaves, roots, flowers, bark), we call this type of medicine "herbal medicine."

These herbs are often consumed as herbal teas, that is, an infusion or light cooking of the herb in water is made, strained and taken. Through this extraction system, the water-soluble active substances are transferred to the water and thus, when taking them, we easily ingest different active ingredients that will make us feel better.

Like all traditional medicine, its effect is much slower than that of allopathic medicine (which concentrates the active ingredients in large quantities) and requires constant intake of the herbal tea to give results.

Now, there are herbal teas that are unpleasant to the palate and are therefore taken only as a remedy, but there are others with a pleasant taste that are taken for pleasure and not necessarily to cure or prevent a disease, however they do provide us with various benefits.

Below we will talk about some of these herbs that have earned a special place on our tables, both for their flavor and their benefits:

• Anise: Carminative, digestive and balsamic. Improves digestion and eliminates intestinal gas, diuretic and improves asthma. Stimulates milk production in lactating women.

• Mint: Antispasmodic, carminative, antiseptic, balsamic and aphrodisiac. Refreshing, improves biliary function, prevents poor digestion, prevents gas formation and relieves spasms. Helps fight headaches and vertigo, relieves rheumatic and dental pain.

• Fennel: Carminative, emanagogue, expectorant and antispasmodic. To correct gases, stimulate menstruation and increase diuresis. It stimulates the upper nervous system so it should be used sparingly in children.

• Cinnamon: Stimulant, antiseptic, antispasmodic and aphrodisiac, against fatigue.

• Vanilla: Lowers fever, diuretic, stimulant, tonic, antiseptic, digestive, slightly choleretic, flavoring and aromatic, aphrodisiac.

• Lemongrass: Tonic against fatigue, stimulates recovery from illness, lowers fever and helps cure colitis and indigestion. It is calming and sedative in low doses, and stimulating in high doses. Antispasmodic, carminative, antiseptic, balsamic and aphrodisiac. Refreshing.

• Chamomile: Calming, antispasmodic, tonic and digestive. It calms nervous excitement and improves sleep. It has a positive effect on biliary function, rheumatism, and against neuralgia and fever.

• Lavender: Slightly sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic and hypotensive. To moderate irritability, aggressiveness and neurasthenia. Balsamic and antiseptic in respiratory system conditions, improves digestion in nervous people; for allergies and migraines.

• Melissa: Digestive, carminative, antiseptic and somewhat sedative. Although it does not induce sleep, it is a tranquilizing remedy to take during the day. Especially effective in women's conditions such as dysmenorrhea, migraines and hysteria, also to stop nausea during pregnancy. It corrects palpitations, anxiety and vertigo (typical of an altered nervous system), as well as nervous vaginitis and cramps. The best herb to combat melancholy and sadness.

• Orange blossom: Sedative and antispasmodic, remedy against insomnia, nervous excitement and hysteria; relieves nervous cough and stress.

• Calendula: Regulates the ovaries, relieves painful menstruation, improves fat digestion, is antispasmodic, cures gastric ulcers. It has choleretic effects and anti-tumor action.

• Linden: Antispasmodic, sedative and sudorific. For cases of anxiety and nervousness. To combat insomnia, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and mild diarrhea.

At EURO TE we have designed blends of various herbs focused on different needs, for example:

• Relax: Blend of herbs that work in synergy to provide relaxation (especially before going to sleep).

• Hurricane: With ingredients that regulate the female reproductive system, painful menstruation and relieve cramps. Eliminates gas and improves digestion.

• Chamomile Lavender: Calming and digestive.

Go ahead and try herbal teas not only when you feel bad, but for pleasure!

Olivia Medina

Tea Master, EURO TEA