A Guide To Herbal Teas & Their Benefits

We recently sat down with Park Igls, a medical clinic in Austria that adheres to the Mayr principle (clean guts are the route to good health)  to discuss the amazing health benefits of herbal teas. Find out what they had to say below.

Tea for weight loss, tea for falling asleep, tea for coughs, nausea, constipation… The preparation of herbs and hot water works wonders!

Tea preparation

For best effect, teas and infusions should only be allowed to brew for a short time and only until they have taken on a pale colour. To prepare 1 litre of infusion use as much herbal tea as you can hold with three fingers, and add the hot water. Do not allow herbs to infuse for longer than 2 minutes. This delicious drink is free of sugar and preservatives, and you should drink around 3 litres of it every day.

Herbal teas and their effects

• Nettle: Nettle tea is a remedy for mucus, acts as a diuretic, stimulates the metabolism, lowers blood pressure & cholesterol, and benefits people with anaemia
• Verbena: This herbal infusion has strengthening properties, helps to reduce temperature, heals wounds and helps the liver self-purify
• Fennel: Often given to babies as it helps the digestion and has a calming and antispasmodic effect
• Tansy: A very mild, relaxing and antispasmodic herb, tansy calms upsets stomachs and is an effective remedy for flatulence
• Elderflower: A real all-rounder, elderflower promotes sweating, acts as a stimulant and mild laxative, it eases coughs, relieves mucus and stimulates the immune system
• St John’s Wort: Anti-inflammatory, nerve tonic, pain reliever, a mood-elevating herb that has shown to be effective against depression and sleep disorders
• Chamomile: A classic tisane herb with antibacterial, calming, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory properties and an analgesic effect
• Mallow: Detoxifies the body, is anti-inflammatory, relieves irritation, has wound healing properties and protects mucous membranes
• Lime blossom: Relieves irritation and stimulates the sweat glands, relieves coughs and has a calming effect; is antispasmodic, diuretic and promotes sleep
• Dandelion: A blessing for the gall bladder, dandelion promotes bile flow, strengthens the liver, stimulates the metabolism and has an antirheumatic effect
• Lemon balm: Stimulates the liver, strengthens the stomach and nerves, has an antispasmodic and calming effect, also promotes a good night’s sleep
• Peppermint: Considered one of nature’s secret weapons, an infusion of peppermint stimulates gall bladder and liver, promotes good digestion, and acts as a disinfectant, nerve tonic and antispasmodic
• Rooibos: High in vitamins and minerals, rooibos has antibacterial, calming and purifying effects
• Yarrow: Anti-inflammatory, a remedy for gynaecological disorders, antispasmodic, diuretic, detoxifies the system and promotes healthy digestion.
  
  

Tea tips: Worth knowing

• Acidic fruit teas and black teas are not suitable during the Mayr treatment as they have an acidifying effect on the body. Black tea also contains caffeine, which has a dehydrating effect on the body and hence can cause constipation.
• Green tea is beneficial in small quantities.
• Any teas containing preservatives, colours and artificial flavours have no place in Modern Mayr cuisine.
• Allergy sufferers should avoid chamomile and calendula, as they may trigger allergies.
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