The holiday season is here!! It is time to celebrate, connect with friends, families, office parties and perhaps more.

As with anything else, the holiday season also has a flip side. Many of us are met with one or more of these issues – digestive issues from overindulgent eating and drinking at holiday parties, social anxiety of meeting people in large groups, general cold weather making you feel sick, exhaustion from shopping and decorating. There is also a dilemma of what to serve the teetotalers or designated drivers. 

We have a helpful list of herbal teas that will help you celebrate the holidays and keep good health for you and your family:

Teas for connecting with people

Studies show more than 50% of the people in the US feel lonely. Holiday season is the perfect time to reach out to distant family members, friends and acquaintances you know feel that way. Invite them over tea. There’s nothing more healing than warm conversations over a warm pot of tea! 

Here’s a list of herbal teas known to bring comfort and relaxation and are considered good for emotional well-being. Feel free to mix up these herbs and spices creatively-

• Ginger tea
• Rose and Cardamom tea (use green cardamom)
• Peppermint tea
• Chamomile tea 
• Herbal tea blend of Lavender, Mint, Chamomile, Rose

Teas for holiday parties at home

A Gallup survey shows that about 40% of people in the US do not drink alcoholic beverages. Of course, you’ll have designated drivers who won’t drink at a party in any case. But that’s not a reason to not share a slow slip non-alcoholic beverage with them. 

Use loose leaf tea blends that look pretty. They say “the eyes eat first.” Serve them in a French press or tea pot with cute ill mugs or teacups. There’s no reason to not step up your décor with natural foods. In particular, floral teas are great to keep your guests happy on taste and they look beautiful too.  

• Cup-It-Cool Tea
• Calm-In-A-Teacup
• Blend of Lavender, Mint, Chamomile, Rose
• Jasmine tea

Teas for digestion

Oh the indulgence! There’s good food, good drinks, good vibes and it is easy to get carried away. But if your gut starts to feel weird, don’t forget to resort to these teas to restore balance and relief from bloating, gas, acidity and indigestion. 

CCF Tea – a classic Ayurveda blend of Cumin, Coriander and Fennel can help support digestion in general.

• Add Rose to CCF Tea if you've been drinking.
• Add Indian celery seed to CCF Tea if you experience gas and bloating. 

Peppermint tea to soothe the stomach.

Ginger tea to rev up the slow or sluggish digestion.

Teas for social anxiety

Social anxiety is an unsaid subconscious issue for many. Here is where adaptogenic herbs or nervine herbs become our best friend. 

Adaptogens are a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress, anxiety and fatigue. There are also calming nervine herbs which specifically help the nervous system. So, use these herbs to calm yourself down before and after a social gathering. Fun Fact: Even the simple process of mindfully brewing tea can be calming as well.  

• Lemon Balm Mint tea
• Tulsi aka Holy Basil tea
• Reishi Mushrooms tea 
• Lavender tea (blend it with other herbs like Lemon Balm or Chamomile since Lavender alone can be overpowering)
• Chamomile tea

Teas for warmth and comfort

The cold weather in general can make you feel sick. Herbal teas can help you bolster the immune system. Besides, having a warm cup of tea on a chilly night, itself is a celebration. Here is a list of teas that will help you keep warm.

• Tulsi-Ginger Tea Blend
• Turmeric (better in a milk-based drink with black pepper)
• Cinnamon spiced Black Tea

Don’t just think of tea as a beverage. Look at it as a medium that helps you connect, relax, and get through the chaos of the holiday season with grace and tranquility. We hope you enjoy this time of festivities while keeping the balance. 

Keep calm and drink tea!