Making My Own Teas (being my most granola-self yet!)

If you have been following me over the past 6 months, you know I made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up coffee for a better mental well-being.  So with my morning cup of coffee gone, I knew I needed a NEW morning beverage – and that’s where my tea obsession began.

(if you want to know MORE about why I gave up coffee for tea check out my previous blog post HERE) 

I have always loved incorporating new healthy foods and supplements into my regimen so when I learned about all the benefits of tea I was hooked.  I started out by purchasing some pre-made blends from this local shop in Nashville called High Garden and now I have advanced to making some of my own blends!  (NOTE: I suggest when you first start out you buy pre-made blends versus making your own.  Take everything one step at a time.) 

Check out some of my different “Tea Recipes” below and their benefits!

Happy Skin Tea

ingredients: 

1 tsp chamomile

1 tsp jasmine

1 tsp dandelion root

1 tsp peppermint

instructions: 

1. place all herbs in a tea bag like this one, fold over the top and staple.
2. when you’re ready for your tea just place tea bag in a mug, pour over hot/boiling water – cover and let steep for 15 min.  Add some local honey for its natural antiseptic qualities and enjoy!

Chamomile is good for… relaxation and getting better sleep.  Better sleep = better skin, you feel me?  Chamomile is also full of quercetin, which protects your skin from the sun’s harmful damage.

Jasmine is good for… preventing signs of aging, it’s even been shown to help with eczema and acne since it helps reduce oil production and balances hormones.  BONUS: jasmine also has antiviral and antibacterial properties which are WONDERFUL in fighting acne.

Dandelion Root is good for… helping protect the youthfulness of your skin since it’s full of antioxidants and immune boosting properties.  It’s also great for digestion which in turn benefits your skin (learn more about gut health’s correlation to the skin in my blog post HERE)

Peppermint is good for… slowing down the oil production in your skin – which helps prevent acne and promote cell turnover.  More cell turnover = less dead skin cells and MORE glowing skin.

Happy Scalp Hair Tonic

ingredients:

2 cups of distilled water

2 tbsp dried chamomile for blondes (rosemary for brunettes)

2 tbsp dried nettle

1 tbsp peppermint

1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice

instructions: 

1. boil water.  Pour over herbs and let steep for 10 min.
2. strain herbs – add in apple juice.
3. shampoo hair as usual then follows with 1 cup of rinse.
4. dry your hair and go about your day!

Chamomile is good for… lightening and brightening your hair!  If you are brunette and are NOT looking for lighter hair I suggest opting for rosemary.

Rosemary is good for… scalp hydration.  This herb can aid in circulation – promoting hair growth.

Nettle is good for… preventing hair loss.  Nettle helps block the over production of DHT which leads to hair loss. Nettle is great for balancing your hormones – keeping hair healthier and happier.

Peppermint is good for… hair growth!  Peppermint moisturizes and soothes an irritated scalp, it also stimulates hair follicles.

There are so many different blends you can make, the possibilities are endless!  Get yourself some good dried herbs to make your own blends from places like Mountain Rose Herbs.

If you have any blend suggestions I would love to hear them!  Leave me a comment of the next blend I should try 🙂