Got a bloated belly? There's a tea for that. And also one for the jitters, insomnia, even crippling period cramps. It turns out that herbal brews can help remedy more than a few common health complaints. Read on to find the right sip to ease your discomfort.
For bloat
Fennel tea is a hero to the digestive tract: It contains a compound that relaxes gastrointestinal spasms, allowing gas to pass and relieving bloat, according to Health's nutrition editor, Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD.
Try: Pukka Three Fennel ($8; amazon.com)
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For a pesky cough
Marshmallow tea, made from the leaves and roots of this medicinal herb, has been used for hundreds of years to quiet coughs and sooth irritated throats.
Try: Celebration Herbals Marshmallow Leaf and Root tea ($11; amazon.com; )
herbals-marshmallow-leaf-and-root-tea.jpg before a stressful event. Certain compounds in the herb bind to the same receptors in the brain as drugs like Valium. A study done at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center found that people who suffered from generalized anxiety disorder experienced significant relief from symptoms after taking chamomile supplements for eight weeks, compared to folks who took a placebo.
Try: Yogi Comforting Chamomile tea ($18 for 6 boxes;amazon.com)
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Try: Buddha Teas Lavender Tea ($8; amazon.com)
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For menstrual cramps
Ginger tea was found to be just as effective in treating painful period cramps as Ibuprofen in a 2009 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Try: Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger tea ($21 for 6 boxes; amazon.com)
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yogi-purely-peppermint-tea.jpg Photo: Amazon.com