Teas to Treat 4 Common Ailments

Key takeaways

• Relieve common ailments naturally with Dr. Victoria Maizes’ evidence-backed herbal tea recommendations.
• Support immune health and digestion by incorporating teas like echinacea and ginger into your routine.

Summary

Herbal teas for common ailments can do more than soothe — they offer targeted relief for issues like colds, sore throats, indigestion and bloating. Dr. Victoria Maizes highlights teas such as echinacea for immune support, slippery elm for sore throats, and ginger or fennel for digestive discomfort. These blends combine centuries-old wisdom with evidence-backed benefits, working to relieve symptoms naturally while supporting both physical and emotional well-being.

Incorporating herbal teas into your daily wellness routine is a simple way to harness integrative medicine and take proactive steps toward better health. For more expert tips and recipes, Dr. Maizes’ latest book, Heal Faster, created in collaboration with AARP, delivers guidance on using natural remedies safely and effectively. You can preorder it now at aarp.org/healfaster.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript:

[0:00:00] Herbal teas are more than a comforting ritual.
[0:00:04] They can be medicinal, working on both physical
[0:00:04] and emotional well-being, and on conditions from
[0:00:11] colds to stomachaches.
[0:00:14] Here are teas that can help treat four common
[0:00:14] ailments.
[0:00:19] If you’ve got a cold, brew up this powerhouse
[0:00:19] elixir.
[0:00:24] Start with an immune-boosting echinacea tea
[0:00:24] rich in antioxidants.
[0:00:30] Steep it for 10 minutes with a bag of black tea.
[0:00:34] Then add lemon for vitamin C, a clove of
[0:00:34] freshly pressed raw
[0:00:41] garlic for its antiviral punch,
[0:00:44] a small spoon of honey and a pinch of cayenne
[0:00:44] to soothe the throat.
[0:00:50] Sip slowly and enjoy.
[0:00:53] When your throat feels raw and scratchy, reach
[0:00:53] for a tea that includes slippery
[0:01:00] elm and marshmallow root, herbs known for their
[0:01:00] mucilaginous properties.
[0:01:06] Translation: They coat your throat, easing
[0:01:06] irritation, and helping you speak and swallow
[0:01:13] with less pain.
[0:01:15] Both slippery elm and marshmallow root can be
[0:01:15] found in popular teas that treat sore throats.
[0:01:22] Stomach feeling off?
[0:01:24] Egyptian licorice tea is a potent choice.
[0:01:28] It boosts mucus production in the stomach,
[0:01:28] creating a protective barrier against irritants
[0:01:34] like acid or spicy foods.
[0:01:34] It’s especially helpful if you’ve overindulged
[0:01:40] or are dealing with heartburn.
[0:01:42] It’s important to note, for some people with
[0:01:42] heart disease,
[0:01:46] licorice root does carry some health risks,
[0:01:46] because it raises blood pressure.
[0:01:52] So do check with your doctor.
[0:01:52] You can also drink tea with soothing botanicals
[0:01:57] such as chamomile, peppermint

[0:02:00] or fennel. They can be brewed on their own as a
[0:02:00] loose tea,
[0:02:04] or you can find them in popular premade tea
[0:02:04] blends labeled tummy or digestive.
[0:02:10] Be aware that peppermint can worsen GERD, so
[0:02:10] avoid it if you suffer from heartburn or
[0:02:17] reflux.
[0:02:17] If you are feeling bloated or gassy,
[0:02:22] carminative botanicals are your best friends.
[0:02:27] Ginger, fennel, caraway and cumin help prevent
[0:02:27] gas
[0:02:33] formation and relax the muscles of your
[0:02:33] digestive tract.
[0:02:37] Look for these ingredients in premade teas
[0:02:37] labeled gas relief or bloating.
[0:02:43] Spearmint tea is also a winner.
[0:02:43] It’s antispasmodic and helps ease
[0:02:50] cramping.
[0:02:51] You can make your own mint tea at home by
[0:02:51] steeping a generous amount of fresh mint in hot
[0:02:58] water for 10 to 15 minutes.
[0:03:01] Sip slowly and feel the relief.
[0:03:05] Herbal remedies are timeless for a reason.
[0:03:09] Teas made with a few simple ingredients can
[0:03:09] support your body naturally and help you feel
[0:03:15] better faster.
[0:03:17] There are more integrative medicine tips like
[0:03:17] these in my book Heal Faster and at
[0:03:22] AARP.org/healfaster.