Build your own tea. Utilize the healing properties of herbs by creating your own herbal infused tea! Includes add-ons to make your tea taste better, but add more porpeties. 
 
Step 1: Choose one herb that you want to be the base for your tea. 
Step 2: Choose your main add on to help enhance the flavor of your tea.
Step 3: Choose up to 3 more herbs and 2 more add ons to include in your BYOT by commenting in the prompt below. 
 
 
Properties of the Herbs: 
 
Stinging Nettel- 
Benefits: May treat BPH, may ease allergy symptoms, promotes heart heart health, has anti-inflammatory properties and contains antioxidants
Side effects: may interefer with blood thinners.Can interfere withwater pills as it is a natural diuretic and also NSAIDS. Not safe in pregnancy until the 3rd trimester
 
Rose Petals -
Benefits: May soothes mentrual cramps, reduce inflammation, anxiety and stress. May also  improve digestion, encourage healthy skin, and promote weight loss. 
Side effects:May interact with anti-depressants and blood thinners. No studies done on pregnant women so far.
 
Lavender-
Benefits: Can improve sleep and may be use to treat sleep  disorders, reduce inflammation, boost immunity. Can also help to detoxify the body with anti-oxidants, supports digestive health, aids in respiratory health. 
Side Effects: May cause gynecomastia in perbupescent males (boys undergoing puberty should not take). Can mimic the estrogen hormone, so may be unsafe for pregannt women. 
 
Dandelion Root-
Benefits: May fight infections and boost immune system, aid in digestion and  relieve constipation. May also aid in weight loss, promote heart health, aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Has shown to have cancer fighting properties. 
Side effects: Can inhibit absorption of certain anti-biotics such as ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin. Consult a doctor if you have kidney problems as it may also interfere with some diuretic medications. Can also decrease effectiveness of liver medications.
 
Echinacea-
Benefits: Boosts immunity, prevents infection, helps relieve pain from toothache. May be aid in soothing rhematoid arthritis, digestive cramps and IBS. Has been shown to help decrease feelings of sadness and stress. May also be able to soothes respiratory ailments
Side Effects: Not recommended to drink too much over a short period of time :) 
 
Chamomile-
Benefits: Can relieve stress and anxiety, improve sleep. Contains properties thatsupports skin health, aid in digestion, boot  immunity,  improves heart health, and promotes healthy hair. 
Side Effects: Avoid drinking 2 weeks before surgery as it contains small amount of blood thinning agent, coumadin. Very few studies have been done for pregnant women.
 
Mint- 
Benefits: Soothes upset stomach, helps regulate digestion, treats bad breath, combats common cold and flu, reduces fever, improves mental awareness and focus, prevents nausea, reduces stresss and promotes healthy skin and hair.  
Side Effects: Avoid if you have GERD or acid reflux. May interact with medications designed to treat heartburn, acid reflux, blood pressure, and diabetes. Safe for pregnant women, just limit consumption.
 
Red Raspberry Leaf-
Benefits:Contains many vitamins and nutrients (vitamin A, C, E, and B). Studies suggest that it may reduce menstrual cramps, shorten labor, and  decrease childbirth risks.
If pregnant max number of cups per day is according to trimester. (1 cup/day for 1st trimester, 2cups/day 2nd trimester, 3 cups/day 3rd trimester). Not recommended to drink every day during the 1st trimester.
Side Effects: Safe in moderate consumption, may cause braxton hicks contractions in 2nds and 3rd trimester. Can also cause GI upset if taken too much. 
 
Alfalfa-
Benefits: May reduce cholesterol, aid in weight loss, help with diabetes by controlling blood sugar.  Has been used to treat metabolic disorders, treat UTI, ease PMS symptoms, promote breast milk production. Also contains anti-inflammatory properties that ease arthritis. 
Side effects: May interact with diabetes medications (alfalfa may cause blood sugar to drop too low), anticoagulants, hormonal contraceptives, immunosuppressants, and NSAIDS.
 
Oat Straw:
Benefits: May reduce inflammation, improve brain function and mood. May also improve blood flow to aid in preventing heart problems and stroke. May also increase lactation in pregnant women. (recommended to take during and after the 3rd trimester)
Side Effects: No known side effects. 
 
Fennel:
Benefits: Has been shown to treat bloating, gas, and digestive issues such as IBS, and soothe mentrual and stomach cramps. May help treat colic in babies and increase lactation in pregnant women.  May also help lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, protect respiratory system, detoxify the body, balance, hormones,and boost libido. Contains properties that eleminate bad breath, kill internal parasites, treat acne, and improve sleep.
Side Effects:  Avoid if you suffer from bleeding disorders like hemophilia as it prevents blood clotting. May cause complications in women with breast or ovarian cancer. May have adverse side effects on people taking blood pressure medication, endocrine disorders, or people allergic to carrots, mugwort or celery.  
 
Cramp Bark:
Benefits: May help relieve pain from mentrual cramps, prevent kidney stones, alleviate PMS symptoms, relieve anxiety, insomnia, and cancer symptoms.
Side Effects: No side effects or adverse interactions have been reported. 
 
Add Ons: 
Cinnamon sticks-  Has properties that may help prevent cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and heart disease by fight off free radicals.  (may lower plateley count causing increase bleeding during c-section, surgery, or deliever if consumed in large amounts)
Dehydrate Ginger root- May lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, and ease headaches/migraines. (Not recommended until 3rd trimester of pregnancy)
Cloves- Aids in digestion,  is an immunity booster, and has properties to keep common cold and other infections at bay. (Not recommended until the 3rd trimester of pregnancy)
Dehydrate Lemons- Immunity booster
Dehydrate Oranges- Stimulates digetestive tract, improves immunity &  digestion