Senna is one of the more popular choices for herbal laxative, and is very effective in tea form. In most people, it gently promotes regularity, however, some people are more sensitive to senna, so use caution when first trying it. Be sure to prepare it exactly as suggested, and do not over-steep or boil it so that you don’t concentrate the active constituents. Be aware too, that many dieter’s teas are really just senna tea, often with a flavoring added, but with no other benefit to dieters than staying “cleaned out.”

Valentine’s Day seems like an appropriate time to discuss Rosehip (Rosa canina) tea. Rose hips are the fruits that remain on the bush after the flowers are gone. Rose hips were called “the Food of the Gods” by the ancient Greeks and regarded as beneficial for a number of health reasons. Rose hips are, indeed, a valuable food source as one of the richest sources of vitamin C, complete with flavenoids.

Because of the abundance of vitamin C and flavenoids, rosehip tea is useful for fighting colds and respiratory infections.  It is also helpful against stomach problems involving inflammation and/or diarrhea with infection or because of food-borne illness, and is a common ingredient in colic remedies. It also has astringent properties and may be used cosmetically, but the rose oil derivatives are more commonly used for cosmetic purposes.

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.

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.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is most commonly used (in humans at least!) as a soothing tea for the digestion. It is often used in preparations for colic in infants, either alone or in combination with such herbs as fennel. Catnip also works as an antispasmotic and has astringent properties, and can help reduce fever as well.

This is the same catnip used for cats, which will excite and seemingly intoxify susceptible cats. Because the cats do not respond until after they reach puberty, and because of other physiological responses seen in the cats, it is likely that the response for them is more related to hormone-driven ecstasy than intoxification.

Catnip contains volatile oils, tannins, and bitter principle.