Three Winter Digestion Teas

Good digestive health is important for well-being in so many ways — not just how well you fit into your jeans but by supporting your immune system, increasing the ability to absorb nutrients, healthy glowing skin and even, it's increasingly believed, your mood!

As ever, herbs can help, so here are my three favorite tea blends to help your hardworking digestive system greet this new year in top form.

After Dinner Tea

I love to serve this tea anytime of day, but it's particularly good after rich and delicious food. Fennel reduces bloating, Peppermint eases any indigestion, and Licorice soothes and restores your digestive system. If you're drinking this in the evening, feel free to add a teaspoon of chamomile flowers, which will not only ease digestive discomfort, but help you sleep well all night long.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp dried fennel seeds
• 2 tsp dried Peppermint (or a small handful of fresh leaves if they're still growing where you are)
• 1 tsp chopped dried Licorice root

Instructions:

1. Place all the herbs in a teapot
2. Pour over 2.5 cups of nearly boiling water.
3. Steep for 10 minutes
4. Garnish with a mint leaf if you have one

This tea doesn't need sugar or honey as the Licorice and fennel add their unique sweetness to the brew.

Makes 2 cups

Digesti-Tea

This deliciously light blend contains fragrant meadowsweet to quickly and effectively soothe heartburn and indigestion. Linden flower relaxes the body and mind while chamomile and Peppermint reduce any gassiness.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp dried meadowsweet
• 1 tsp dried linden flowers
• 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
• ½ tsp dried Peppermint leaves

Instructions:

1. Place all the herbs in a teapot
2. Pour over 2.5 cups of nearly boiling water.
3. Steep for 10 minutes

Makes 2 cups

Move It Tea

Overeating and travel can sometimes leave you with the discomfort of constipation. A cup of this tea at bedtime may help you wake up to relief as yellow dock and rhubarb root gently stimulate the gut while crampbark, chamomile, and aromatic spices reduce cramping.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons dried chopped rhubarb root
• 1 teaspoon dried chopped Yellow Dock root
• 1 teaspoon chopped crampbark
• ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds
• ¼ teaspoon anise seeds
• ¼ teaspoon finely chopped dried orange peel
• 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers

Instructions:

1. Place all the herbs in a small pan with 2 cups of water.
2. Heat slowly until the water is just bubbling.
3. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the stove, strain and serve.

Rhubarb root and Yellow Dock have a bitter taste which stimulates the whole digestive system to help naturally get things moving, but if you find the tea too bitter for your taste, feel free to add some honey or stevia to sweeten the brew.

Makes 1 mugful.

These recipes and more can be found in my book, Infuse: Herbal Teas to Cleanse, Nourish and Heal.

Writer Paula Grainger is a highly regarded British Medical Herbalist. After graduating with first-class honors from The University Of Westminster, she created Lemon Balm, a popular Herbal Apothecary and Clinic in London's Camden Town. She has worked with people of all ages using herbs to enhance their health and wellness and has a wealth of experience in communicating the power of plants through her workshops and writing. In 2011 she moved with her husband (the novelist Michael Marshall Smith) and their young son to Santa Cruz, California where, when she is not growing herbs or making herbal preparations, she continues to share her love and expertise of plant medicine with people on both sides of the Atlantic. Her first book INFUSE (co-written with Karen Sullivan) was published in Spring 2016.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.