Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Used mainly as a culinary herb throughout the world, spearmint leaves add a fresh, uplifting flavor to foods, beverages, and cosmetic products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes. This herb:

• May Decrease inflammation – Because spearmint contains polyphenols such as rosmarinic acid, it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
• May aids digestion and calm upset stomach. All mints, especially peppermint, and spearmint, can help the stomach muscles relax and quell nausea and upset stomach.
• May help improve respiratory health – Spearmint can cool the respiratory system, making breathing easier. When you have a cold, this can be incredibly soothing. An added plus is that spearmint can also help a sore throat feel better.
• Spearmint is antibacterial – The volatile oils within spearmint are naturally antibacterial and can help build up resistance to food-borne bacteria.
• May help ease hormone imbalances in women – Researchers have conducted several studies on women with hormonal imbalances. They found that consuming spearmint tea twice a day for 30 days lowered their testosterone levels while increasing levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol.

Rosehips (Rosa canina)

Also known as rose hep or rose haw, these hard, berry-like pseudo-fruits from roses are well-known for their incredible amounts of Vitamin C. In fact, rose hips contain 50 or even 60 times the amount of Vitamin C than an equal amount of citrus fruit!

Rosehips are also packed with antioxidants that can minimize the damaging effects of free radicals that can add stress to the cells in our bodies. Other potential benefits of rosehips include:

• Healthy Immune Support – The high amount of Vitamin C can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which can help protect the body from infection.
• May help support a Healthy Cardiovascular System – Over many decades, scientists have found there may be a direct connection between Vitamin C intake and the reduction of heart disease. Rosehips are also rich in flavonoids which can reduce high blood pressure and stimulate healthy circulation.
• Can Help Stimulate Healthy Weight Loss – Rosehips contain the antioxidant tiliroside, which researchers believe may stimulate the body to burn fat.
• May Help Reduce the Risk of Diabetes – A recent study done with participants on a high-fat diet showed an improvement in blood sugar levels after 10-20 weeks of consuming rosehip powder.
• Can Promote Healthy Skin – Researchers have shown Rosehips to help the body regenerate new skin cells and rehydrate dry skin. Vitamin A in rosehips is also beneficial in warding off the effects of aging, healing wounds, and even helping reduce scarring.

Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)

While not as well known in the United States and Europe, Aboriginal Australians have used Lemon myrtle for centuries for its healing properties. The oils present in the leaves of this plant have a slight citrus scent and are used in teas and cooking to flavor salads, pasta, and stir-fried dishes.

Some of the health benefits of lemon myrtle include:

• May Strengthen the Immune System- For those who suffer from bronchial and sinus infections, or sore throats, this herb is helpful for such conditions.
• Can Ease Stomach Upset – In Australia, lemon myrtle is a traditional solution for both diarrhea and constipation and can help settle feelings of nausea or bloating.

Linden Flowers (Tilia sp.)

Traditional herbalists and healers have used the blossoms, leaves, and bark of the Linden species of trees for millennia. This herb aids the body in eliminating toxins through sweat and reduces pain and promotes relaxation.

This tree’s blossoms contain flavonoids and antioxidants such as quercetin, tiliroside, and kaempferol. Researchers have found that linden flowers may:

• Reduce Anxiety – Researchers have found that linden’s ability to ease feelings of anxiety and stress because it can mimic the neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety.
• Can Ease Coughs & Respiratory Congestion – Often, a dry, persistent cough of a cold, congestion, and sore throat add to the misery of being under the weather. Linden naturally helps to suppress coughs and acts as an expectorant to help get rid of phlegm.
• Can Reduce Headaches – During the Middle Ages, herbalists found that the scent of Linden flowers could help to ease a migraine headache, while a cup of linden tea sweetened with honey could make the pain less severe.