Tea-time Remedies

Hot tea is one of my favorite things (especially Stash's Green Chai Spice Tea), so I enjoyed this article in Natural Health about tea-treatable troubles. Michael Cronin, NMD, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based naturopathic physician, and his wife Kyle Hawk Cronin, NMD, shared tea remedies. (And even if it doesn't work, you still had a nice cup of tea, so what the hell.)

Sore throat, motion sickness, indigestion - Ginger tea (try Tazo Green Ginger, $5 for 20 bags, www.tazo.com)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Fennel (try Heather's Fennel Tummy Tea with organic fennel, $10.95 for 1 lb, www.helpforibs.com)

Menstrual cramps - Chamomile (try Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus, $7.95 for 15 pouches, www.mightyleaf.com)

Emotional stress - gotu kola, lemon balm (try Om Organics Tulsi Gotu Kola Tea, $1.50 for 25 bags, www.omorganics.com or Dragonwater Tea Company Lemon Balm Mint, $5.50 for 4 oz, www.dragonwater.com)

Insomnia - Chamomile or valerian (try Numi Tea Sweet Meadows Chamomile Lemon Myrtle, $5 for 18 bags, www.numitea.com or Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea, $7.88 for two 20-bag boxes, www.celestialseasonings.com)

Detox - Dandelion root (try Yogi Tea DeTox Body Purifier with organic dandelion and other cleansers such as juniper berry and black pepper, $4.48 for 16 bags, www.a-healing.com)

Cold - Lemongrass, echinacea (try Meru Tea Lemongrass tisane, $9 for 9 oz., www.merutea.com or BIJA Lemon Ginger Echinacea, $5 for 20 bags, www.florahealth.com)

Bronchitis - Eucalyptus, Oregon grape, goldenseal (try Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy, $4.49 for 16 bags, www.traditionalmedicinals.com)