Spearmint leaves (Mentha spicata) are used to brew a tea that is not only refreshing and flavorful, but has some medicinal properties as well. It is especially useful for soothing stomach upsets and can decrease stomach acids and bile. It is also helpful to drink when one has diarrhea. It can be helpful for jaundiced persons for its action on the liver.

Spearmint has many of the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and many people find it easier to use than peppermint, especially children or those not used to herbal teas.

Spearmint also has cosmetic uses. It can be used in the bath to soothe the skin, in steaming water for a facial, and also as an astringent to clean oily skin.

It is very commonly used in foods and drinks, adding a minty flavor or aroma to cold drinks, salads, jellies, meats, sauces, and many other dishes. Experimenting with spearmint in a variety of dishes and with different methods is likely to produce very good results, as it is complementary to so many kinds of foods.

Elderberry (Sambiacus nigra) is another wonderful immune system herb with a variety of other uses as well. It works as an anti-viral and so is helpful to fight colds and flu, but if one is already ill, it also works as an expectorant, soothes throat inflammation, and helps fight fever. It also helps stimulate blood flow, and has been used as a mood enhancer as well.

The berries are very nutritious, offering high levels of vitamin C, biotin, beta carotene, protein, fiber, sugars, and tyrosine.

Elderberry syrup is also popular for colds and flu. It soothes the throat, helps with coughing up mucous, and helps fight infection.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is among the best-known of herbal teas.  Nearly everyone recognizes its calming effects and it is prized as a before-bedtime relaxing tea. It also helps to ease digestive discomforts and can help abate nausea, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile is also useful cosmetically and can be added to the bath or used as a facial. If applied to brown hair, it tends to bring out golden highlights.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is usually first thought of as a woman’s herb, but it has a variety of uses. It can be beneficial to lift mood and is helpful to those with depression, and is also often used as an aphrodisiac herb. It has a generally stimulant effect, and also works in a very mild way as both a laxative and diuretic.

Tea made from blueberry leaf (Vaccinium) has been used for diabetes when insulin is not being used because it can reduce blood sugar. It also cleanses the urinary tract, and has general astringent properties. It has been used for diarrhea as well.

This tea nutritionally provides oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, beta-amyrin, fatty acids, sugars, and tannins.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is most well-known for its use in improving vision. Bilberry can be helpful for both night vision and helping with retinal deterioration.

Nutritionally, bilberry provides manganese and tannins. It has a slight diuretic effect, and a slight antiseptic effect. Besides improving sight, it also helps to improve circulation and strengthen blood vessels.