Warm up with a cozy cup of herbal tea to enrich your body and soul. You won’t be missing the jitters from your usual cup of coffee with the abundance of herbal tea benefits.

Best Types of Herbal Tea

Ranging from zesty ginger to calming chamomile, there are a wide variety of herbal teas and benefits to each type. These nutritious yet comforting herbal teas are great starters:

• Chamomile
• Ginger
• Hibiscus
• Lemon Balm
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Turmeric

Herbal Tea Benefits

1. Digestive

The many healing properties of herbal teas can help the digestive system. If you’re looking to improve digestion or just ease a queasy stomach, then you’ll want either ginger, lemon balm, or peppermint tea.

In a number of studies, ginger has been proven to be a reliable aid to reducing nausea and vomiting. Peppermint, on the other hand, works to ease stomach spasms and cramping. Lemon balm, similarly, has been shown to be effective in diminishing bloating and alleviating an upset stomach.

2. Immune Support

Herbal tea is especially helpful during cold and flu season. Many herbal teas boast immune-boosting properties which may help to combat or prevent viruses. For these benefits, reach for echinacea or elderberry tea.

Echinacea is especially promising in preventing and easing colds. Research has shown it increases the number of white blood cells in the body, which fight infection.

Elderberry, alternatively, contains antioxidant-rich flavonoids that are useful in boosting the immune system. While there are minimal studies done on the health benefits of elderberry, the herb has been suggested to prevent and soothe cold symptoms.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

If you frequently suffer from aches and pains, try an anti-inflammatory tea such as turmeric or hibiscus. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory benefits due to its curcumin content. Various studies have shown the substance can help fight inflammation in the body.

Hibiscus, a fruity tasting flower, is another suitable choice. Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C which is known to combat inflammation. It also makes for a delicious summer drink when iced and swirled with a teaspoon of agave.

Where to Buy Organic Herbal Tea

Before buying your herbal tea, make sure you choose a brand that doesn’t use additives and artificial ingredients. Trusted brands include: Traditional Medicinals, Numi Tea, or Mountain Rose Herbs. Don’t forget, you can also go the eco-friendly route in buy loose leaf and steep using a tea infuser.

Related on EcoSalon

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How to Throw a Perfectly Lovely Afternoon Tea Party
Green Tea for Skin: Our Top Superfood Cosmetic Product Picks

The post These 3 Powerful Herbal Tea Benefits Will Make You Ditch Your Cup of Coffee appeared first on EcoSalon.

You see it in your mojito or a garnish atop desserts, but mint can add more zing to your life in ways you never imagined.

These 10 unusual ways to use mint give you just a small glimpse into all the ways mint can boost your mind, body, and senses. The fragrant herb can improve just about every gustatory experience, from pairing it with chocolate to infusing it into water. As for health benefits, mint may very well change the lives of new mothers and cancer patients.

Peppermint leaves were found in Egyptian pyramids dating back to 1,000 B.C., and today the herb still upholds some impressive healing properties. The following 10 unusual ways to use mint are reason why the herb has stuck around for so long and stayed relevant.  

1. Water Infusion

Roughly chop fresh mint leaves and mix them into a pitcher of water with a few slices of lemon. Let the pitcher sit for at least 30 minutes before straining and drinking (or leave the mint and lemon in!). Enjoy the fresh and detox-friendly water that will leave your breath fresh and your senses heightening.

2. Stomach Pain and Bloat

In one study, among participants who took peppermint oil capsules, 79-percent experienced a decrease in the severity of abdominal pain and 83 percent had less bloating. Before a big meal, drink a glass of water with a drop of peppermint oil and feel the difference.

3. Chocolate

Snack on chocolate, but with a side of fresh mint. The pair is a match made in heaven. You can also melt chocolate over a double boiler and add a few drops of peppermint oil into the mix. Pour the melted chocolate over parchment paper and let cool and harden. Break off pieces of the chocolate and bask in the glory that is mint-kissed chocolate.

4. Breast Feeding Pain

According to a 2007 study, peppermint water reduced the prevalence of nipple cracks and nipple pain among breastfeeding mothers. Only 9 percent of mothers using peppermint water experienced nipple and areola cracks, compared to the 27 percent who did not use it.

5. Palate Cleanser

Chew on mint leaves in between courses to cleanse the palate and prepare for the next dish with a fresh starting point. Or, finish off a meal with mint leaves to get rid of a heavy aftertaste.

6. Digestion

You don’t even need to consume mint in order to benefit from it on a deeper level. The aroma of mint stimulates the digestive glands in the stomach, so simply smelling it promotes healthy digestion!

7. Pesto

Who said pesto had to be basil-based? Swap basil with mint for a unique alternative.

8. Memory

Crunching for an exam or important meeting? Try sniffing peppermint before the big day. Evidence shows that peppermint increases alertness and memory.

9. Cleaning Supplies

Add a few drops of mint essential oil to a homemade or unscented store-bought cleaner. This addition will make your house smell fresh and summer appropriate.

10. Radiation Protection

Mint exhibits protective properties against radiation. Cancer patients are most likely to go through irradiation therapy at some point in their treatment, but radiation’s damage to tissue reduces its effectiveness. Mint has shown an ability to reduce the negative effects of radiation and protect against tissue damage.

Image: Zach_Beauvais

Related on EcoSalon:

Basil Mint Iced Tea

Peppermint Melody

The post 10 Unusual Ways to Use Peppermint appeared first on EcoSalon.

With consumer demand for more conscious consumption, some newer green magazines are catering to the trend for more eco and ethical fashion options and natural and organic beauty. Here are top four eco chic titles.

1. Coco Eco

In keeping with the digital trend (and to save paper!) Coco Eco is an online magazine which supports eco-luxe fashion, beauty, celebrity and culture. Founded in 2008 by native Londoner and now LA-based Anna Griffin, the magazine vows never to sell out and support brands or companies whose ethics don’t align with their own. It attracts a mainly U.S.-based audience, but is gaining international momentum, being read in more than 14 other countries. Since its inception, it has built a reputation on partnering and featuring well known celebrities who support eco living. Some of the better known faces which have graced their pages include Alicia Silverstone, Sting and Josie Maran. It really does live by its slogan Good. Green. Glam.

2. ELuxe Magazine

Elegant, ethical and ecological. That’s how newcomer ELuxe magazine describes itself, having been founded only a handful of months ago. Based between London and Paris, the online publication is dedicated to showcasing brands that demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. In fact, ELuxe openly advertises the sustainability criteria by which brands are judged. As well as the regular features you would expect from a fashion magazine, like beauty and accessories sections, it also boasts a comprehensive Eco Tech section, looking at issues of transport, gadgets and energy saving tips. It also keeps its finger on the digital (and international!) pulse by regularly profiling eco bloggers from around the world.

3. Organic Spa

More for the beauty and wellness buff than the fashionista, Organic Spa is now renowned as the leading national consumer eco lifestyle magazine in America. It describes itself as bridging spa wisdom, wellness, preventative health and modern green and organic living. It aims to provide readers with advice on how to lead a healthier, more sustainable and well balanced life. In addition to being a print magazine, there is also an app, a blog and website from which to soak up sustainable inspiration. Their website even boasts a digital meditation room, with images and music to settle the mind and soothe the soul.

4. Peppermint

Peppermint Magazine is a smaller, but no less eco friendly publication hailing from Australia’s sunny state of Queensland. It is the leading green fashion and lifestyle magazine down under, celebrating eco and ethical style with a sense of fun. Although it is heavily connected to the emerging Australian market, it also showcases some of the best handmade and eco friendly products from around the world. The magazine includes in-depth features, goes behind the scene of the fashion industry and big fashion events, while also shining a light on important social issues. It has won a number of awards at home, has an up-to-the-minute blog, and is a pioneer of the fashion magazine world in the Asia Pacific.

Images: Coco Eco, Organic Spa, Eluxe, Peppermint

The post Green Magazines: Top 4 Eco Titles appeared first on EcoSalon.

Why go with just plain chocolate cake when you can add a hint of mint?

This summer in Sweden I was unhappy to find out that the small local egg farm up the road had closed down. I wasn’t sure why, and it all seemed odd as there was one rooster left, who was crying out loud, and sadly. Then one day, I spotted a mother sow in a field close to our house. She was proudly walking around in the mud with her new born piglets all around her. The farm also had free-range chickens, ducks and lambs. I was happy again.
The second or maybe third time I came there, the lady of the house said she had run out of eggs. I asked if I could order some for later that week.

“It’s impossible,” she said.

At a farm like theirs you can’t predict how many eggs the hens will provide. Some of the hens had also started to sit on their eggs. I felt both happy and sad at the same time. Sad that I had to walk home empty-handed and happy that someone listens to a hen’s nature instead of my craving for eggs.

“Oh well,”  I said and was about to leave when she said:

“I have duck eggs. They are great if you are making sponge cake.”

I went home and made the best Sticky Chocolate Cake I have ever made.

Sticky Chocolate Cake with a Bite of Mint

2 eggs (or one large duck egg)
1 cup sucanat*
4-6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Valrhona)
one teaspoon salt (less if using salted butter)
one cup milled almonds
4 oz butter
about 5 drops of peppermint extract**

some mint leaves (for decoration)

Whisk eggs and sucanat together in a bowl. Stir in the milled almonds, cocoa powder and salt. Drip a few drops of the mint extract (or essence, see below). Stir around and adjust with more mint to your taste. Add the butter and stir until smooth. Pour the mixture into a greased 9” spring form.

Bake the cake in the oven at 350 F (150°C) for about 15 minutes. The cake should just be set on top and sticky inside. Let the cake cool down. Decorate with some fresh mint leaves and serve as is or with some whipped heavy cream.

If you don’t like mint in your chocolate you can easily switch it to something else. Anna Brones here on Ecosalon spices her Sticky Cake with cardamom and serves it with a cranberry orange salsa. If you are craving for more chocolate this Chocolate by Brand over at David Lebovitzlist will keep you busy.

* Sucanat is a brown sugar type extracted from sugar cane. Its perfect to bake with and gives cakes and cookies a richer taste. In the US you can often find Sucanat in organic shops. If you can’t find sucanat you may use muscovado sugar or even regular brown sugar instead. When I’m in Sweden I use farin sugar which works really well too.
** I couldn’t find mint extract so I made an essence by soaking mint caramels with a shot of vodka over night.

Illustrations by Johanna Kindvall

The post Sticky Chocolate Cake with a Bite of Mint appeared first on EcoSalon.

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Peppermint Peppermint contains menthol, which acts as a stimulant. For women, this is a good thing. As one source writes, “The scent [of peppermint] acts to stimulate the physical senses and if applied on the skin produces a cooling and exciting sensation which makes the erogenous zones in women more receptive to sexual pleasure.” Sexy has never been so cool.

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Cornstarch Planet Green reports that painting your naked body with corn starch is super erotic. (Who knew?) They note that, “Just the initial sensation of cornstarch dropping on the skin mimics the sensation of liquid silk.”

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Cinnamon Cinnamon has been known to increase sex drive over time. It can lower high blood sugar which “restricts the blood flow to the penis.” This can’t help but be a good thing for sex. Just be sure to only add a dash or two – large amounts of cinnamon may be toxic.

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Ginseng Ginseng has been a popular aphrodisiac in China for centuries. Some claim it can boost sex drive and increase libido. It can also improve blood flow.

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Exercise
Even moderate exercise will get the blood flowing to all the necessary parts. And as experts note, it will make you feel better about yourself, which is always a good thing for promoting sex.

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Avocados Not only do avocados have a sensuous texture, they contain Vitamin E. As one source reports, Vitamin E can heighten your orgasm.

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Alcohol (In Moderation) Discovery Health reports that “by reducing anxiety and stress one drink can help get you in the mood for sex.” But if you get drunk? You’re heading more for sleepy time.

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Ginkgo Biloba This is thought to increase blood flow to the sexual organs. Even better? It can enhance orgasms.

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Chocolate As Planet Green points out, chocolate is “believed to be a natural source of phenyl ethylamine (PEA), the same feel-good chemical that the body naturally produces during those first moments of falling in love.”

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Saw Palmetto This is said to “nourish” the prostate gland and enhance the production of testosterone. Who knew palm trees could be so sassy?

Images: andre5, jylcat, fstorr, cteteris, trasel, mikebaird, threelayercake, picsbypop, mccheek, scubadive67, homeredwarprice

The post 10 Aphrodisiacs for a Cold Winter’s Night appeared first on EcoSalon.

The snow is flying and the fog is rolling in, so there’s no better time for getting comfortable between the sheets. But just because you’ve trekked inside with mini-icicles hanging from your eyebrows doesn’t mean you can’t heat things up at home. And there are many ways you can bring sexy back without turning to Viagra and unfortunate candle wax issues. Check out these ten tips to keep your libido cooking until spring. (Note: As with all medications, seek the advice of a professional before taking any supplements.)

Peppermint Peppermint contains menthol, which acts as a stimulant. For women, this is a good thing. As one source writes, “The scent [of peppermint] acts to stimulate the physical senses and if applied on the skin produces a cooling and exciting sensation which makes the erogenous zones in women more receptive to sexual pleasure.” Sexy has never been so cool.

Cornstarch Planet Green reports that painting your naked body with corn starch is super erotic. (Who knew?) They note that, “Just the initial sensation of cornstarch dropping on the skin mimics the sensation of liquid silk.”

Cinnamon Cinnamon has been known to increase sex drive over time. It can lower high blood sugar which “restricts the blood flow to the penis.” This can’t help but be a good thing for sex. Just be sure to only add a dash or two – large amounts of cinnamon may be toxic.

Ginseng Ginseng has been a popular aphrodisiac in China for centuries. Some claim it can boost sex drive and increase libido. It can also improve blood flow.

Exercise

Even moderate exercise will get the blood flowing to all the necessary parts. And as experts note, it will make you feel better about yourself, which is always a good thing for promoting sex.

Avocados Not only do avocados have a sensuous texture, they contain Vitamin E. As one source reports, Vitamin E can heighten your orgasm.

Alcohol (In Moderation) Discovery Health reports that “by reducing anxiety and stress one drink can help get you in the mood for sex.” But if you get drunk? You’re heading more for sleepy time.

Ginkgo Biloba This is thought to increase blood flow to the sexual organs. Even better? It can enhance orgasms.

Chocolate As Planet Green points out, chocolate is “believed to be a natural source of phenyl ethylamine (PEA), the same feel-good chemical that the body naturally produces during those first moments of falling in love.”

Saw Palmetto This is said to “nourish” the prostate gland and enhance the production of testosterone. Who knew palm trees could be so sassy?

Images: andre5, jylcat, fstorr, cteteris, trasel, mikebaird, threelayercake, picsbypop, mccheek, scubadive67, homeredwarprice

The post 10 Natural Aphrodisiacs for a Cold Winter’s Night appeared first on EcoSalon.