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6 Herbal Teas for Stress Relief, Better Digestion, and Overall Wellness

6 Herbal Teas for Stress Relief, Better Digestion, and Overall Wellness

Posted by Sarah Aries Holistic Herbalist on Jul 11th 2025

6 Must-Have Chinese Herbal Tea Recipes for Everyday Health Issues

From Allergies to Anxiety—Feel Better, Naturally

Do you have the herbs but aren’t sure how to use them? Let us guide you with tips and recipes that unlock their full potential!


how to use teas to support everyday healthLet’s be real—modern life is full of aches, stress, allergies, poor sleep, and mystery inflammation. And while your medicine cabinet might be overflowing with temporary fixes, the real power lies in your teacup. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these tea blends are more than comfort—they're natural, time-tested solutions for real symptoms. Each recipe below is handcrafted with classic Chinese herbs to support your body in ways Western medicine often overlooks. Whether you're battling joint pain, anxiety, allergies, or insomnia, there's a tea here to help you feel better—naturally.


Let’s jump into these teas and see if they warm us up! Side effects may include owning way too many mugs and developing strong opinions about steep times.

Looking for natural ways to support your well-being? These 6 Chinese herbal tea blends are inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote balance, comfort, and seasonal support. Discover which tea fits your needs and how to enjoy it at home.


1. Supports sinus and seasonal wellness

Great for: Seasonal allergies, sinus congestion, itchy eyes

Ingredients:

  • 6g Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower)

  • 6g Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit)

  • 6g Bo He (Mint)

  • 4g Jing Jie (Schizonepeta)

Instructions: Simmer herbs in 3 cups of water for 25–30 minutes. Strain and drink warm twice daily.

Why it works: Opens nasal passages, disperses wind-cold, and soothes inflammation.


2. Promotes digestive harmony

Great for: Indigestion, gas, sluggish digestion

Ingredients:

  • 5g Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel)

  • 5g Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit)

  • 6g Fu Ling (Poria)

  • 3g Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

Instructions: Simmer herbs in 3 cups of water for 25 minutes. Sip warm after meals.

Why it works: Moves Qi, reduces bloating, and strengthens digestion.


3. Supports joint mobility and comfort

Great for: Joint stiffness, swelling, mild arthritis

Ingredients:

  • 6g Du Huo (Angelica pubescens)

  • 6g Sang Ji Sheng (Taxillus)

  • 6g Fang Feng (Siler Root)

  • 5g Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed)

Instructions: Simmer in 4 cups of water for 30–40 minutes. Drink 1 cup twice daily.

Why it works: Dispels wind-damp and reduces swelling in joints.


promoting natural sleep4. Promotes relaxation and restful sleep

Great for: Anxiety, insomnia, overthinking

Ingredients:

  • 5g Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed)

  • 4g He Huan Pi (Albizzia Bark)

  • 3g Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed)

  • 3g Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit)

Instructions: Steep in hot (not boiling) water for 20 minutes. Drink before bed.

Why it works: Nourishes Heart and Liver Yin, calms the Shen (spirit).


5.Supports hydration and heat balance

Great for: Mild dehydration, overheating, puffiness, skin irritation

Ingredients:

  • 6g Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome)

  • 5g Bai Mao Gen (Imperata)

  • 5g Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf)

  • 3g Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

Instructions: Simmer in 5 cups of water, reduce by half. Cool and sip throughout the day.

Why it works: Clears heat, promotes gentle detox, hydrates.


6. Supports clear, healthy-looking skin

Great for: Acne, eczema, skin redness, boils

Ingredients:

  • 5g Huang Qin (Scutellaria)

  • 5g Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark)

  • 5g Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower)

  • 4g Lian Qiao (Forsythia)

Instructions: Simmer herbs in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes. Use internally or as a cooled rinse.

Why it works: Clears toxic heat and inflammation from the skin and bloodstream.


BONUS REMEDY
1: Supports energy, clarity, and vitality

Great for: Fatigue, cloudy thinking, low motivation, mental burnout

 Ingredients:

  • 6g Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root) – Tonifies Qi and boosts energy

  • 5g Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) – Strengthens immune system and raises Yang Qi

  • 4g Gou Teng (Uncaria Vine) – Calms internal wind and promotes mental clarity

  • 3g Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel) – Regulates Qi and aids digestion

Instructions:

Simmer herbs in 3.5 cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup in the morning and another in the early afternoon.

Why it Works:

This formula helps lift mental fog and physical fatigue by tonifying Qi, improving circulation to the brain, and reducing heaviness caused by dampness. Gou Teng’s addition adds a calming clarity effect.


BONUS REMEDY
2: Promotes gentle elimination

Great for: Dry stools, sluggish bowels, detox support

Ingredients:

  • 5g Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seed) – Moistens intestines and gently promotes bowel movement

  • 2g Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) – Strong purgative, used in low dose to stimulate bowel activity

  • 5g Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed) – Lubricates intestines and calms the mind

  • 3g Gan Cao (Licorice Root) – Harmonizes the formula and eases cramping

Instructions:

Simmer herbs in 3 cups of water for 20–25 minutes. Strain. Start with 1 small cup before bed. Use for 2–3 days as needed.

✅ Why it Works:

This tea works by moistening dryness and gently stimulating elimination, not forcing it. Huo Ma Ren and Bai Zi Ren hydrate the colon, while Da Huang gives just enough push to get things moving.


BONUS REMEDY
3: Supports throat comfort and seasonal defense

Great for: Scratchy throat, mild fever, early-stage colds or flu

Ingredients:

  • 6g Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root) – Clears heat and resolves toxicity

  • 5g Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower) – Cools and detoxifies

  • 5g Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) – Opens the Lung and directs herbs to the throat

  • 3g Gan Cao (Licorice Root) – Soothes throat and balances formula

Instructions:

Simmer herbs in 3.5 cups of water for 25–30 minutes. Strain and sip warm throughout the day.

✅ Why it Works:

This classic throat-soothing tea clears heat toxins, targets inflammation in the respiratory tract, and strengthens immune defense at the first sign of illness. Jie Geng directs the formula specifically to the throat.

Final Thoughts

Chinese herbal teas offer more than warmth—they’re part of a time-honored tradition of supporting balance, vitality, and well-being from within. From calming your nerves to clearing your skin, every blend here supports your body’s wisdom. Whether you’re battling an annoying cold or just need better sleep, there’s a brew to help you heal naturally.

Bookmark this guide, share it with a friend, and start your herbal healing journey today.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Dang Shen (Codonopsis) – Brain Fog & Energy

A study analyzing Dangshen Yuanzhi Powder in animals demonstrated it improved learning and memory by modulating gut–brain pathways and reducing inflammation PubMed Central+15PubMed+15PubMed Central+15.
A review shows Codonopsis Radix is traditionally used to boost Qi, energy, digestion, and cognitive function PubMed Central+4PubMed+4ScienceDirect+4.


2. Huang Qi (Astragalus) – Fatigue & Immune Support

A meta-analysis on cancer-related fatigue found Astragalus membranaceus significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in cancer patients PubMed+7PubMed+7PubMed Central+7.
Another clinical review noted Astragalus helped reduce post-stroke fatigue and improve life quality PubMed.


3. Gou Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) – Mental Clarity

A pharmacological review highlights Gou Teng’s neuroprotective alkaloids which protect the brain and support cognition PubMed Central+15PubMed+15PubMed+15.


4. Huo Ma Ren + Da Huang – Constipation Relief

A traditional formula study (Ma Zi Ren Wan, containing Huo Ma Ren) showed significant improvement in bowel movements (43% vs 8% for placebo) PubMed Central+9PubMed Central+9Wiley Online Library+9.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) extract clinical trials confirmed it enhances mucus and bowel function in adults Wikipedia+10PubMed+10PubMed Central+10.


5. Ban Lan Gen – Sore Throat & Immune

Ban Lan Gen extracts displayed antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects, particularly for throat and respiratory infections .


6. Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera japonica) – Throat & Immune

A pharmacological review confirmed these flowers possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties helpful in respiratory illnesses PubMed Central+15PubMed Central+15PubMed+15.


7. Jie Geng (Platycodon) – Respiratory Support

A clinical review of Chinese herbal formulas found that including Jie Geng effectively delivered lung-clearing herbs to the throat and lungs, aiding in respiratory health .