Starr's Botanical Sips

Nothing is sweeter than honey, but did you know it's good for your body too? Healthier than regular sugar, honey is the ideal way to add flavor to any cup of tea. It contains a high amount of antioxidants, including powerful polyphenols. These protect the body against inflammation and can prevent issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Buying local honey is also a tried-and-true method of guarding yourself against seasonal allergies. In a pinch, it can even act as a cough relief, making it perfect for any home remedy.

Few things are as important to your body's well-being as eating healthily. A balanced diet prevents disease and also improves mood and energy levels. The only problem: how do you know what to eat? Avoiding snacks, candy, and highly processed foods is obvious, but what does your body actually need? With so much conflicting information, it can be hard to know.

One easy trick is to eat more whole-foods. These are foods that haven't been processed and stripped of their nutrients. Plant-based diets are also the way to go as consuming more fruits and vegetables dramatically lowers the risk of chronic diseases. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is develop a better relationship with food. Don't just focus on what you shouldn't eat. Instead, think about the good things you are putting into your body and the positive effect they are having.

Every spring, many of us are forced to endure seasonal allergies. We pop pills, chug medicine, and shoot liquid up our noses all in an effort to stave off hay fever. Unfortunately, many of these drugs have unpleasant side effects. Before you go reaching for the antihistamines, why not try my Allergy Tea? Made with specially-chosen ingredients like Elderflower, it can help combat your worst symptoms and provide some much-needed relief.

You’ve heard of elderberry, but have you heard of elderflower? A common cold remedy, elderflower has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the nasal swelling associated with various illnesses. It also can relieve constipation, increase sweating, and acts as a diuretic. Perfect for flushing out your system whenever you’re feeling icky. On top of that, it has a sweet, honey-like flavor.

A lot of us work jobs where we’re hunched over a computer for eight hours a day. Then, we go home and stare at our phones or TVs. This combination of inactivity and excessive screen time is incredibly bad for our health, leading to issues with vision, attention, weight, and sleep. That’s why exercise is so important. A consistent workout routine is by far the most effective way of counteracting the problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

After a long day, there’s nothing like a cup of tea to unwind! My special Sleep Tea mix will help soothe your tired nerves and wash away any worries. Made with Chamomile, Valerian Root, Lemon balm, hops and Passion Flower, it’s guaranteed to reduce stress and promote a healthy night’s sleep. Not only is it a surefire cure for insomnia, but it’s delicious to boot!

Insomnia is an all too common problem. One-third of people in the U.S. report having at least some trouble falling asleep. Instead of taking sleeping pills or melatonin, try adding Valerian Root to your favorite night-time tea. More potent than Chamomile, Valerian is a known sedative and contains anti-anxiety properties that can stop a busy brain in its tracks. Even better, it helps reduce symptoms of PMS.

Meditation is a practice everyone can benefit from. Besides improving clarity and concentration, it also decreases stress, anxiety, and mental chatter. Maintaining a daily habit can be difficult to start, but even 10 minutes a day is enough to establish a routine. If you’re having trouble, there are a number of apps that can help you stay on track by providing encouraging reminders and consistent accountability metrics.