Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena Tea: Digestion, Inflammation, and Immunity

Lemon verbena tea, made from the leaves of the Aloysia citriodora plant, has been cherished in herbal medicine for centuries. Native to South America, this aromatic herb is renowned for its refreshing lemon scent and numerous health benefits.

One of the primary uses of lemon verbena tea is its ability to aid digestion. Traditionally consumed after meals, the tea helps alleviate common digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, and stomach cramps. The plant’s natural antispasmodic properties work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the digestive tract, offering relief from discomfort. This makes it especially beneficial for individuals prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or those who experience frequent indigestion. Regular consumption may help maintain a balanced digestive system and improve overall gut health.

Lemon verbena tea is also celebrated for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The leaves contain bioactive compounds like verbascoside and luteolin, which are known to reduce inflammation and protect the body from oxidative stress. These compounds not only reduce muscle soreness following physical activity but also aid in protecting cells from the damage caused by free radicals. This dual action supports the body's recovery after exercise and enhances general cellular health, which may help slow down aging processes and promote longevity.

In addition to its digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits, lemon verbena tea is highly valued for its calming effects. The soothing aroma coupled with its mild sedative properties can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. The tea is often used as a natural remedy for insomnia, promoting relaxation and mental clarity without the grogginess associated with stronger sleep aids.

Moreover, lemon verbena tea boosts the immune system. Rich in phenolic compounds, it enhances the body’s defense mechanisms against infections and illnesses. The tea’s antioxidant activity, comparable to green tea, provides a natural immune boost without the bitter aftertaste.

In summary, lemon verbena tea is a versatile herbal remedy offering multiple health benefits. From digestive relief and reduced inflammation to promoting calm and boosting immunity, this fragrant tea is a valuable addition to any wellness routine.
Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena Tea: Digestion, Inflammation, and Immunity

Magnolia bark

In the American South, magnolias are undeniably a symbol of culture, strength, and beauty. The magnolia family has been found in the fossil record long before humans. In fact, magnolias were present even before honeybees. Magnolia trees are mainly distributed in East and Southeast Asia and are generally very attractive thanks to their fragrant and dazzling flowers.

The bark and/or seed cones of the Magnolia spp., particularly M. officinalis has many uses in traditional herbal medicines in Korea, China and Japan. Bioactive ingredients such as magnolol, honokiol, 4-O-methylhonokiol and obovatol have received great attention.

It helps reduce the excessive cortisol levels that interfere with sleep quality, particularly for those with stress-induced insomnia who wake with a start in the wee hours of the morning, mind spinning, unable to fall back to sleep.

Studies suggest that magnolia bark tea can activate cannabinoid receptors in the body, enhancing magnolia’s soothing effect on sleep issues and anxiety. This tea is excellent hot or cold, especially before bed.

Magnolia bark may also act as an effective anti-inflammatory, and support weight loss, blood sugar control, and brain health. It’s been used to ease anxiety, reduce gingivitis, treat menstrual cramps, and improve respiratory health.

In addition, magnolia-based products have been used for smoking cessation therapy and as aphrodisiacs, anti-depressants, and sedatives due to their hypothesized cannabimimetic and GABA-ergic-like effects.
Magnolia bark

Chamomile tea for anxiety

A small, beautiful and gentle plant, chamomile has long been use as an everyday tea but is equally value for its powerful medicinal properties. A warm cup of chamomile tea before going to bed can help to fall asleep.

A favorite herb for children, chamomile has been use to treat children’s colic, nervous stress, infections, and stomach disorders.

Chamomile tea is calming and supports sleep. It is proven to reduce anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia. One active ingredient called apigenin reduces locomotor activity, which disrupts sleep in restless sleepers.

Also, the first controlled study of the use of chamomile extract showed that it has a moderate effect in reducing anxiety in people with general anxiety disorder. Besides its excellent anti-anxiety properties, chamomile is an antispasmoic and can help alleviate menstrual cramps.

Chamomile has sweet flavor with slightly bitter aftertones. The longer the herb is left to steep, the more bitter it becomes.
Chamomile tea for anxiety

Bael fruit tea

Also known as the ‘bel-fruit’ and ‘bengal fruit’ the bael fruit grows on the bael tree (Aegle marmelos).

Bael fruit sometimes proves successful for fevers with diarrhea when all other remedies have failed. It may be taken in the form of extract, conserve, decoction, sherbet, or syrup.

In Laos bael fruit tea or tum is very popular. Tum is sipped by pregnant women in Laos; it is also a treatment for bowel problems.

Whole fruit is split open, toasted in front of the fire, infused with hot water, mixed with sugar and milk and sipped like tea.
Bael fruit tea

Dill seed herbal medicine

Dill is a derivation of the Norwegian word ‘dilla’ meaning to soothe. The Babylonians and Assyrians cultivated it during antiquity for its magical and medicinal powers. The plant has medicinal qualities, including the strong antiseptic properties of the extracted oil.

In herbal medicine dill seeds are considered a sedative, helpful to digestion and Papyrus Ebers from 1534 BC records the use of dill in ancient Egypt to relive headaches.

Some cultures chew dill seed as a means of combating halitosis. They are combined with warm white wine as a drug-free remedy for sleeplessness.

A tea made of white wine and a blend of anise, coriander, caraway, and a dill seed is reputed to stimulate the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers. Ozark healers advise dill tea for hiccups, and it is used as an antihypercholesterolaemic plant in Iranian folk medicine.

Medieval herbals recommend dill for various diseases and disorders: stomach diseases, headaches, chest pains and hemorrhoids. Eating the seeds was supposed to be an aphrodisiac for a man.
Dill seed herbal medicine

Roselle tea

Roselle tea acts as a mild laxative due to the poor absorption of the fruit acids. In African folk medicine, the drug is ascribed spasmolytic, antibacterial, cholagogue, diuretic and anthel- mintic properties, among others.

Roselle tea is also used to suppress high blood pressure. The leaves are a source of mucilage used in pharmacy and cosmetics.

The study by Mozafarri-Khosravi showed that those subject given roselle tea had significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and significant decrease in the mean of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo-B100 at the end of the study (J. Altern Complement Med 15(8): 899-903).

The tea also is beneficial for kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Because of their sour taste and red color, roselle flowers are a popular component in fruit teas for drinking hot or cold, available in filter tea bags and also as instant tea, usually in combination with rose hips.

Additionally, roselle flowers are used in herbal tea combinations indicated for respiratory tract conditions and for stimulating appetite.
Roselle tea