by Glory Lennon

Created on: January 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 12, 2009

Legend has it a man traveling through China stopped for the night by a field of wild flowers and unfamiliar fragrant shrubs. He set up camp and set a pot of water to boil as he went to collect ingredients for his dinner. Upon his return he saw a few leaves from the bushes blew into the pot and created a dark drink. He tasted this, said the equivalent to WOW in Chinese and tea was created.

Whether this is true or not is hardly relevant. What is relevant is the fact that tea is extremely popular then and now and the medicinal kind all the more so, for obvious reasons. Herbal teas have been known to cure and/or prevent everything from anxiety, insomnia, colic, coughs, indigestion, chest congestion, morning sickness to migraine headaches. Why pop a pill when you could relax with a soothing tea and feel better for it?

So, how exactly does one brew a decent cup of medicinal tea? The method is quite simple and the same no matter what herbs you use. Heat fresh water to a nice rolling boil, place your herbs into the pot and allow them to steep for several minutes, five at least, more if you prefer a stronger taste. Fresh herbs are best, of course, but when dried properly they can still make a wonderful tea made the traditional way in a tea pot. Some prefer to simmer fresh herbs for better flavor and to extract all the goodness from the herbs. Which herbs you use depends entirely on what ails you. Let's go over some of the most common ailments and readily made teas to help these conditions.

Anxiety- Stress, nervousness, whatever you may call it, can easily be treated by soothing teas. Just the simple act of sitting down to slowly sip the warm liquid lowers the blood pressure, eases the mind, replenishes the soul, calms frazzled nerves. Add to these teas the calming effects of Chamomile, Manarda Bee Balm, Passion Flower, Catnip or Sweet Melissa and you have something to soothe any savage beast.

Insomnia- Valerian is the best known herb to induce a restful sleep without the morning grogginess usually associated with pills. It is rather nasty tasting but when added to other nice tasting teas with a nip of honey you'll be sleeping soundly in no time. Other herbs you may want to use include Bee Balm, Hop, Passion Flower, Skullcap, Yarrow and Motherwort.

Menstrual discomfort- Antispasmodic herbs, those that relax muscles, come in all sorts, some more tasty than others. These include Valerian, Anise, Fennel, Feverfew, Red Clover and Black Cohash. Used alone or in combination a tea

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