As winter is quickly approaching, so are the health challenges that come with it.  There are many great herbs that we can use during this time of year to support our health.  Enjoying a hot cup of herbal tea is one of my favorite ways to do this.  Just the act of making a cup of herbal tea forces us to slow down and relax while we wait for it to steep.

The winter holidays can bring about increased stress for many of us.  This seems to be even more evident this year.  Stress has a negative effect on our immune system as does lack of sleep.  There are herbs that can help support a healthy stress response as well as improved sleep. Nervines are herbs that are able to produce a calmness.  Herbs in this category include Chamomile, Milky Oats, Skullcap, Passionflower, Lemon Balm and Valerian.  Another benefit of these herbs is that they are rich in nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium and magnesium.  These nutrients are very beneficial to our nervous system as well.  Another category of herbs is Adaptogens.  These herbs help our body to adapt to stress.  They are also supportive to our immune system.  Examples of these herbs are Holy Basil, Ashwagandha, Licorice, Eleuthero and Schisandra.

Using any combination of these herbs regularly can help us stay healthy and limit the negative effects of stress.  Adding some more flavorful herbs like Cinnamon, Spearmint or Hibiscus to any of these teas can help in adding a nice taste to your tea.