When stress rises and brings on a headache, these three soothing herbs work together to calm the nervous system and relieve pain and tension in the head.

Common kitchen basil is not only delicious in pasta and salad, but also makes a wonderful ingredient in herbal teas. It has a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems. It is used to ease irritability, anxiety, and depression.

Chrysanthemum, or Ju Hua, is a common ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine. It is often used for stress, a pattern we call Liver Qi Stagnation, and to treat headaches, allergies, and eye irritation, especially those that worsen under stress.

Melissa, or lemon balm, is an herb that grows voraciously in the midwest. It has a lemony perfume scent that makes it a prized tea and essential oil. Like basil, melissa is a wonderful herb for calming an overactive nervous system and helping to cope with stress.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried chrysanthemum flowers (also called Ju Hua)
• 2 teaspoons dried melissa (also known as lemon balm)

Directions

• Combine all three herbs in a quart-sized mason jar or pitcher.
• Fill the jar with boiling water (4 cups or 1 quart).
• Let the herbs steep for 30 minutes before straining.
• Drink 1 cup of the herbal infusion at a time. Drink at room temperature or gently warm as preferred.

I had my first taste of real, homemade chai while working at an Indian restaurant years and years ago. It was such a revelation after only having the boxed, overly sweetened, steamed milk concoction served by the big coffeehouse chains. This chai was totally different- just the right amount of spice, a quality that warmed the whole body, milky without being heavy. After that experience, I started making my own chai at home. It’s the perfect wintertime tea.

It wasn’t until years later when I started learning herbal medicine that I realized what a powerful medicine chai is. Most of the spices used to make chai have medicinal properties. Fennel seed is used to promote digestion. Cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and cardamom are warming herbs that are perfect for people who tend to feel chilly. Fresh ginger is used for warming the lungs and digestion, breaking up phlegmy conditions, and treating colds and flus.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp fennel seed
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• ½ tsp cardamom seeds
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 10 slices fresh ginger
• 4 cups water
• 1 tbsp (or 1 teabag) of black tea leaves or tulsi tea
• Milk or milk alternative (optional), to taste
• Honey (optional), to taste

Directions

• Simmer for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and add the tea leaves or teabag
• Strain out the spices and tea leaves
• Add milk or milk alternative and honey to taste