Tea is therapeutic
There are several forms and ways of taking herbal medicine and tea is one of them. Different herbs as tea can provide different actions. Teas are great to use as medicine because it is easy to access and prepare, you are in charge of your own healing, it can be yummy, it can be meditative and tea is generally affordable. Perhaps the downfall of teas is, compared to other forms of herbal medicine, it takes a lot more tea to provide a therapeutic outcome. Basically, fluid extracts and tinctures are stronger and more concentrated herbs and have constituents drawn by alcohol, and tea does not normally contain alcohol in a medicinal sense. More concentrated herbs are easier to take because you only need a small dose (ie. 5mL) and are more easily absorbed by the body. Tea though, is very appropriate for certain concerns, those with a weak constitution and a useful adjunct to other treatments. For example, digestive issues may require a fluid extract of bitter herbs to stimulate digestion and a tea would also assist in calming, soothing or firing up digestion too. There are just some examples of my favourite ways to use tea as medicine - Relaxing and unwinding
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) Passionflower is my favourite bedtime tea. In relation to this, it acts as a sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic. It's also an antispasmodic which is good for stomach or muscle spasms.
Stress
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile acts to sedate the nervous system and relax any sort of spasms or muscle twitches that are going on. This one is nice to drink mindfully.
Anxiety
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Valerian is also good for spasms and cramps. It acts as a sedative/relaxant (in naturopathy, 'sedative' doesn't mean that it knocks you out, rather it acts on your nervous system to relax you - it' hypnotic action will put you to sleep though) . It is also hypotensive, possesses a mild pain killing effect, contains anti-oxidants and is an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety).
Sleep Hops (Humulus lupulus) Hops tastes gross and sometimes makes me feel a bit nauseous but it knocks me out, so I like it for that. I like to mix any of the above in any combination, plus hops for sleep. It's actions include sedative, hypnotic, good for spasms and cramps, and analgesic.
Energy Green, black and white teas (Camellia sinensis) The difference between green and black tea is the oxidation process. Basically, the oxidation process is a chemical reaction which acts on the tea leaves to produce flavours and aromas. The degree of oxidation applied to the leaves differentiates the varieties. Green tea doesn't undergo oxidation, black tea does and Oolong (one of my favourites) undergoes a 'half way' oxidation. Both green and black act as a nervous system stimulant which is useful for fatigue and headaches. Green tea acts as an immuno-modulator, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and provide preventative effects against heart diseases. These teas also contain caffeine, providing energy in that sense. Feeling on the verge of run-down Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) Echinace works on the immune system by modulating or stimulating it, providing antimicrobial actions, acting as an anti-inflammatory and an alterative (alteratives are also known a depuratives, and basically they are used as a tonic and provide general detoxifying actions).
Firing up digestion I like to combine all of the following, especially with chamomile -
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Known for its anti-inflammatory action. In addition, it is a diaphoretic, prevents vomitting and calms spasms and cramps.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel is also anti-inflammtory, calms spasms and cramps and is a stomachic
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Guess what? Another one for the spasms and cramps, is an aromatic digestive stimulant, astringent and anti-H pylori. Menstrual cramps Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).
Lemon balm is anti-spasmodic, a carminative and a sedative.
Another good tea during periods is an 'iron' tea that I got from a book called Hygieia by Jeannine Parvati. The tea includes yellow dock, nettle, watercress, parsley and dandelion root. There are a couple of other herbs but I can't find them to purchase.
Skin These two are are good combo together and are especially indicated for acne - Burdock (Articum lappa)
Burdock is an alterative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and bitter (which is good for digestion which may be important to address during skin issues because often skin issues are related to what's going inside the body - how well it is eliminating waste, digesting etc.).
Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis)
Another great anti-inflammatory, alterative, diuretic and topically acts as an antiseptic – not sure if this is just topically though.
Sensuality/aphrodisiac Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans ) This one is used in Ayurvedic medicine I believe. It's actions include carminitave, digestive, cardio tonic, sedative and has been indicated in Ayurvedic medicine for low sperm count.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Other than acting as an aphrodisiac, Panax ginseng also is an adaptogen, general stimulant and nervous system stimulant and relaxant (which is dose dependant).
I also like to mix these with vanilla because I once read somewhere that vanilla helps release inhibitions, which I think is important when tuning into your sensuality. Also, any of the warming teas mentioned in the digestion part are good additions for warmth and blood flow. Finally, tea in addition to oils, self-love rituals, sense provoking things like candles, music,dance and meditation and anything like that can be super sensual.