Balanced Being Tea Blend
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Tea time ! Let's talk about my signature tea blend, how to make it, and all the incredible benefits that come with incorporating it into your daily routine.
My history of severe Lyme disease, hormonal imbalance (from going on, and then off, hormonal birth control), POTS, hypermobility, histamine sensitivity, food allergy/sensitivity, fatigue, headaches, acne, eczema, dermatitis, ovarian cysts, pelvic floor dysfunction, MCAS, anxiety, chronic bloating, and imbalanced energy and mood drove me to search high and low for holistic alternatives to heal where Western medicine said I was incurable. I believe there is a harmonious balance that can be found by bridging Western and Eastern medicine.
I have found this specific blend of herbs to be nothing short of a game changer. This tea positively impacted and significantly decreased every single symptom I was having. It is worth noting that many of the herbs in this blend are cooling herbs.
Should you begin to experience loose, sticky stools or any other classic TCM "cold" symptoms, I encourage you to dial back the frequency at which you have this blend and begin to incorporate warmer herbs like cinnamon (the twig, Gui Zhi or the bark, Rou Gui), fresh ginger, fennel seed (Xiao Hui Xiang), tumeric (Jiang Huang), coriander (Hu Sui), or black pepper (Hu Jiao). (see tips for additional information)
*Note: everyone is different and has a complex and unique health history, if you have specific conditions you are trying to treat that are not covered in this article please feel free to leave a comment or contact us privately and we will do our best to point you in the right direction. Do not feel discouraged, everyone can heal, give yourself time and grace.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Stinging nettle ~1/2 cup
- Raspberry leaf ~1/2 cup
- North American skullcap ~1/4 cup
- Chinese skullcap ~2 tsp
- Marshmallow root ~1 tbsp
STEPS
1. Place all ingredients except marshmallow in 32 oz mason jar or glass french press
2. Cover with hot water and place lid on top
3. Allow to sit for minimum 6 hours (ideally overnight for maximum potency)
4. Add marshmallow root to steep once water has gone cold
5. Strain and drink (optional, put on stove to reheat)
- To get the most use out of your tea grounds, steep for a second time
- Additional use: after second steep and strain, spread used tea grounds around plant soil to give your plants some extra love
- You may choose to skip doing the marshmallow step entirely to shorten prep. Marshmallow should be cold steeped because this allows extraction of the mucilaginous polysaccharides (the active component that allows soothing of and protection to mucous membranes)
Herbal Highlights
Nettle Leaf (aka stinging nettle)
The plant is known as “stinging nettle” because of its hollow hairs (tricomes) on the leaves and stem that cause a stinging sensation upon contact. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world today. Stinging nettle grows well in nitrogen-rich soil and blooms between June and September.
Raspberry Leaf
Recognized for its sweet fruits and pleasant tasting leaves, raspberry has been a cherished plant for hundreds of years. Native to many parts of Europe, North America, and western Asia, Rubus idaeus is an easily cultivated member of the Rose family
Marshmallow Root
This herb has been used continuously for at least 2000 years. It is in the mucilage-heavy Malvaceae family and is an herbaceous perennial that can be found growing alongside marshes, seas, riverbanks, and other equally damp areas. The plant is a great skin herb and greatly effective in soothing mucus membranes.
North American Skullcap
This plant has been used for more than 200 years as a mild relaxant and as a therapy for anxiety, depression, nervous tension, and convulsions. It maintains significant antioxidant effects that protect against depression and neurological disease, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Chinese Skullcap
Chinese skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as 'baical skullcap' is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. One of the ways to tell the two skullcap plants apart, is by the plant part used, with American skullcap the aerial portion is most sought after, and with the Chinese skullcap it is the root.
Herbal Health Benefits
Stinging Nettle
- Adaptogen that contains more than 700 undiscovered phytochemicals
- In women's health we look to the ovaries for production of reproductive hormones; however, the adrenal glands share the job equally in producing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women. Imbalanced hormones often mean the adrenals are either overactive or under active. This is where nettle leaf supports us. Nettle addresses the adrenal glands and other part of the endocrine system (which the ovaries are a part of).
- Nettle enhances egg production by supporting FSH and detoxes the body of toxic estrogens that have entered from unnatural places such as plastics and pesticides.
- Potent levels of silica (bone building and bone protecting), increases thyroid function which helps burn away fat and increase energy
- Very alkaline, which helps it to neutralize and flush out acidic waste, clean blood, and make skin healthy
- Contains vitamin C and 40 trace minerals in their most bioactive, bioavailable and assimilable states.
- Conditions that can be supported by nettle: UTI (bladder and kidney infections), interstitial cystitis, reproductive or ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, EBV/mononucleosis, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD, laryngitis, low reproductive system battery, acne, eczema, psoriasis, infertility, all autoimmune disorders, alopecia, anemia, anorexia, anxiety, depression, bladder prolapse, breast cancer, edema, endocrine system disorders, PCOS, BPH
- Symptoms that can be supported by nettle: Adrenal hormone imbalance, over/underactive adrenals, anxiousness, inflammation, reproductive hormonal imbalances, vaginal itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal burning, menstrual pain, menstrual cramping, PMS, rashes, headaches, food allergies, menopause symptoms, abdominal cramping, scar tissue, bloating, cold hands and feet, swelling, incontinence, irregular menstruation, low cortisol, mood swings, MCAS
- Spiritual Lesson: nettle teaches us to keep our eyes out for sparks of gratitude everywhere
Raspberry Leaf
- The ideal reproductive system reorganizer and protector for women
- Tones and strengthens uterus and pelvic muscles
- Overall hormone balancer, supports adrenal and thyroid glands
- Supports the entire endocrine system in hormone output
- Profound tonic to address infertility and prepare for pregnancy, as well as prevent miscarriages
- Impactful tool for addressing exhaustion following childbirth and postpartum depression
- Increases breast milk production and fortifies milk with vitamins and minerals
- Blood cleanser and overall detoxifier for men
- Helps reduce inflammation, benefits people with iron deficiency, and supports hair growth when needed
- Conditions that can be supported by raspberry leaf: infertility, miscarriage, fibroids, postpartum depression, anemia, UTI, thyroid disease, pancreatitis, gum disease, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, uterine polyps, PCOS, uterine prolapse, bladder prolapse, HPV, endocrine system disorders, bacterial vaginosis
- Symptoms that can be supported by raspberry leaf: low breast milk supply, gastritis, ovarian cysts, food allergies, fatigue, stomach upset, iron deficiency, hair loss, abnormal pap smear results, inflamed uterus/ovaries/and/or/fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalances, hypothyroid, hot flashes, inconsistent vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal burning, cramping
- Spiritual Lesson: Raspberry leaf teaches us to keep an eye out for situations that we can nip in the bud if we brave the thorns and bring a discerning eye.
Marshmallow Root
- Often prepared using cold water because heat destroys mucopolysaccharies, a constituent that makes marshmallow a demulcent
- Mucilage can coat the stomach and throat, supporting treatment of diarrhea, constipation, stomach ulcers, and heartburn
- Stimulates cells to help heal wounds, insect bites, burns, scrapes, and dry or chapped skin
- Supportive in managing UTIs
- Beneficial for respiratory infections and disorders
- Helps with inflamed skin, boils, and abscesses. Helps to soothe the skin irritation while healing the disorder
- In ancient times, it was often used in ritual to invoke divine protection, as well as foster love and fertility.
- Conditions that can be supported by marshmallow root: asthma, bronchitis, UTIs, IBS (Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis), common cold, cough, sore throat, skin inflammation, stomach ulcers,
North American Skullcap
- Relaxes the body and mind to restore overall balance
- Relaxes stiff muscles and energetic "stiffness" from holding on to stressful days and events
- Beneficial for balancing reproductive hormones
- Stimulates release of endorphins and balances your mood, supports general feelings of being "worked up" and tense
- Conditions that can be supported by American skullcap: anxiety, insomnia, stress, reproductive hormonal imbalance, muscle tightness/soreness
Chinese Skullcap
- Strong abilities to fight infection
- Clinically proven to contain bioactive constituents that support the immune system and prevent disease
- Inhibits mast cell degranulation (see further studies)
- Abundant in flavonoids that reduce oxidative stress and decrease inflammation
- Inhibit growth and production of cancer cells
- Reduces risk in developing Alzheimer's / dementia
- Antiallergic effects, significantly decreases histamine release (VERY cool clinical trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22414480/)
- Regarding Lyme disease: active constituent, baicalein, benefits against spirochetes and biofilms (Baicalein can attack the latent, rounded form AND active dividing spirochete form of Borrelia -- more on this here: https://aspire.care/featured/lyme-disease-herbal-treatments/)
- Activity on GABA receptor results in calming effects
- Antimicrobial
- Promotes regular menstruation
- Conditions that can be supported by Chinese skullcap: Osteoarthritis, fatigue, infection, muscle and joint stiffness, inflammation, diarrhea, respiratory infection, asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, tumors, cancer, histamine intolerance or sensitivity, POTS, MCAS, lyme disease, food allergies, brain fog, rabies, reproductive hormone imbalance, muscle spasms
Tips
- Nettle resonates with a cycle of potency. Drink nettle in the afternoon for its effects to be most powerful
- Soak a cloth with nettle leaf tea and apply to bug bites, scrapes or minor burns
- For the most impactful restoration and balancing of hormones and reproductive system, take nettle and raspberry leaf together
- Raspberry plants grow 25% more on full moons, drink extra raspberry tea during the full moon as the potency is increased. Whether dried or alive the leaf stays connected to the moons cycle.
- Cinnamon can be beneficial for warming cold extremities, in the early stages of a common cold, for joint pain, for chronic digestive issues, or for women struggling with painful periods or endometriosis.
- Ginger is supportive of long term digestive or respiratory issues and can boost immune function.
- Fennel is focused on the reproductive organs and digestive tract. This keeps the middle body warm from the inside out and mitigates bloating, gas, and indigestion.
- Tumeric is gently warming and helps bolster the body's vitality to address pain and inflammation.
- Coriander seed is another gently warming herb. This herb enters through the stomach and lungs and is supportive of respiratory and digestive function.
- Black pepper is a very hot herb that should be used with caution. This focuses on cold stuck in digestive tract and can be supportive if you are experiencing cramping and loose stool.
Further Studies and Resources
Scutellaria baicalensis Inhibits Mast Cell- Mediated Anaphylactic Reactions
The image to the right shows a mast cell from a rat (A). Figure B shows the cell after a potent mast cell degranulation mix (compound 48/80) was introduced. The 48/80 compound forces the cell to release upwards of 90% of its histamine. Figure C is the mast cell 5 minutes after addition of Scutellaria baicalensis. Figure D is the rat mast cell, that was pretreated with Scutellaria baicalensis, observed within 5 minutes of the addition of the 48/80 compound.
Why Histamine Intolerance May Be at the Root of Your Unexplained Symptoms
Lyme Disease and Herbal Treatments (Dr. Wells)
- https://aspire.care/featured/lyme-disease-herbal-treatments/
