Two Common Herbs You Need in Your Cabinet

Do you have chamomile and mint teas in your kitchen cabinet?  If so, great!  If not, it may be time to go get some.  Luckily these are two herbs you will always find in the tea isle of any store.  They seem to be the most common herbs (other than tea, coffee, and parsley) in American culture (if that is even a thing).

This is part 4 in the blog series, Herbs for the Back to School Season.  These two herbs are great to have on hand for yourself and your kids for a number of reasons.

1.  You can find them anywhere.  Not to mention, they are very easy to grow, if you are into that kind of thing.

2.  They taste good, even to your kids.

3.  They ease digestion.  They can calm the stomach so it doesn't feel queasy or like there are a bunch of butterflies in it.  They can ease intestinal cramping and gas pains.

4.  They can calm nervous energy and help a stressful mind to simmer down.

5.  Chamomile tea can be soothing and aid in getting to sleep. I used to love an evening cup of Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time tea, when I was a kid.  Super yummy and calming. I think it may have both chamomile and mint in it.  
6.  Mint tea can be be slightly stimulating and help you perk up if needed.  For some folks, especially a mild mint tea, can be calming and slightly sedating.

7.  Both chamomile and mint tea can be useful during a cold or flu.  They can ease the belly, bring down fever, open the lungs, draw out congestion, and help us to sleep.

8.  Both herbs can be used as a steam and tea to help fight lung and sinus infections and congestion.  

9.  The tea of either of these herbs can also be used as a compress on the forehead to help cool a hot fever, or warm someone up who has chills.  Soak a washcloth in the tea, and apply to the forehead either warm or cold, depending on what feels best.

10.  Chamomile tea makes a lovely addition to bath water for young children who need to calm down.

11.  Chamomile tea can also be made into a teething rag, by soaking a washcloth in it, rolling the cloth, and freezing it.  I always had these on hand when my baby was teething.  I would give one to her to chew and suck on whenever she was fussy. They worked like a charm.

If you don't already have mint and chamomile tea in your cabinet, go out and get some.  They are wonderful herbs and very popular for good reasons!