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How to Combine Herbs That Actually Work — 6 DIY TCM Tea Blends for Sleep, Pain, Digestion & More

How to Combine Herbs That Actually Work — 6 DIY TCM Tea Blends for Sleep, Pain, Digestion & More

Posted by Sarah Aries Holistic Herbalist on Jun 14th 2025

How to Combine Herbs That Actually Work — 6 DIY TCM Tea Blends for Sleep, Pain, Digestion & More


“You’re not alone if you’ve got cabinets full of herbs and no idea what to do with them. That was me, too. Until I realized the power wasn’t in what I had — it was in how I used it.”

What’s the use of herbs if you don’t know how to combine them properly? These 6 expertly-formulated herbal tea blends show you exactly how to pair herbs together for maximum effectiveness — blending Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wisdom with modern research. Support sleep, digestion, pain, constipation, fungal infections, and blood sugar with targeted DIY teas you can easily make at home.


blenda of teaThe Power Is in the Combination — Not Just the Herbs

You can have a shelf full of herbs, but unless you understand how to combine them into proper formulas, you may never fully unlock their healing potential.

This is why Traditional Chinese Medicine has flourished for thousands of years — not because of single herbs, but because of carefully crafted herbal combinations that balance and support one another.

In this guide, we show you 6 proven herbal tea blends built on both ancient herbal theory and modern scientific research. For each formula, you'll learn:

  • Which herbs are used

  • Why they work together

  • TCM theory behind the blend

  • Scientific studies that support each herb

  • How to brew and use each tea

What Our Customers Are Saying

“I tried the Sleep Blend for 3 nights and I’m finally sleeping through without waking up at 3am.” – Maria D.

“The digestion tea is now a must after heavy meals!” – Tom R.


Important Safety Note

Herbal combinations are powerful. Always consult your healthcare provider before using these teas, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have chronic illness, or take medications.


Sleep Support Tea — Calm the Mind & Restore Rest


Why Are These Herbs Choosen For Supporting Natural Sleep And Calming The Mind?

Sleep isn’t just about "calming down." In both TCM and modern science, sleep disturbances often involve overactive mind, anxiety, Qi stagnation, and nervous system imbalance. This blend addresses all of these layers at once:

  • Chamomile: calms nerves, soothes digestion

  • Lavender: eases anxiety, quiets the liver

  • Lemon Balm: reduces restlessness, harmonizes liver Qi

  • Passionflower: increases GABA, supports deep relaxation

Together, these herbs create a complete formula that calms both mind and body for restful sleep.


Ingredients & Benefits

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

  • Binds to brain receptors to reduce insomnia (PubMed)

  • TCM: Nourishes Heart, calms Shen (spirit)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

  • Lowers anxiety, reduces heart rate (PubMed)

  • TCM: Calms Liver, clears heat

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • Eases stress and improves sleep (PubMed)

  • TCM: Harmonizes Liver Qi, reduces stagnation

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

  • Boosts GABA for deep relaxation (PubMed)

  • TCM: Calms Shen, reduces palpitations


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part chamomile

  • 1 part lavender

  • 1 part lemon balm

  • 1 part passionflower

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 5–10 min. Drink 30–60 min before bed.

Use: Nightly as needed.


Digestive Support Tea — Warm, Move & Harmonize the Gut


Why Are These Herbs Choosen For Supporting Digestion?

Digestive problems are rarely caused by just one issue. This blend was designed to:

  • Clear stagnant food

  • Relax intestinal spasms

  • Warm cold digestion

  • Promote bile flow

  • Balance heat and cold

Each herb contributes to a different layer of digestion support, allowing for more complete gut function.


Ingredients & Benefits

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

  • Relaxes GI muscles, eases bloating (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears heat, moves Qi

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Stimulates digestion, reduces nausea (PubMed)

  • TCM: Warms Stomach/Spleen, expels cold

Fennel Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Relieves gas, improves motility (PubMed)

  • TCM: Warms digestive organs, smooths Qi

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

  • Boosts bile flow, supports liver (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears stagnation, strengthens Liver


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part peppermint

  • 1 part ginger

  • 1 part fennel seeds

  • 1 part dandelion root

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 5–7 min. Best after meals.

Use: 1–2 cups daily.


Pain & Inflammation Tea — Move Blood, Clear Heat, Relieve Pain


Why Are These Herbs Choosen For Supporting Natural Pain Relief?

Pain often involves inflammation, poor circulation, and Qi or blood stagnation. This blend works on multiple pain mechanisms:

  • Clears inflammatory pathways (turmeric, willow bark)

  • Warms and moves Qi (ginger)

  • Nourishes blood and reduces pain (nettle leaf)


Ingredients & Benefits

Willow Bark (Salix alba)

  • Natural salicin for pain relief (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears heat, dispels damp

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

  • Anti-inflammatory powerhouse (PubMed)

  • TCM: Invigorates blood, removes stasis

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Reduces muscle/joint inflammation (PubMed)

  • TCM: Warms channels, eases pain

Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)

  • Supports anti-inflammatory action (PubMed)

  • TCM: Nourishes blood, supports joints


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part willow bark

  • 1 part turmeric

  • 1 part ginger

  • 1 part nettle leaf

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 10–15 min.

Use: 1–2 cups daily.


Constipation Relief Tea — Clear Heat, Promote Bowel Flow


Why Are These Herbs Choosen For Supporting Natural Relief Of Constipation?

Chronic constipation often involves Qi stagnation, dryness, and heat buildup. This blend:

  • Stimulates peristalsis (senna)

  • Relaxes the gut (peppermint, fennel)

  • Supports bile flow (dandelion root)

Together, these herbs promote full, natural bowel function.


Ingredients & Benefits

Senna Leaf (Senna alexandrina)

  • Activates bowel movement (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears heat, purgative

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

  • Relaxes colon spasms

  • TCM: Regulates Qi, clears damp-heat

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

  • Supports liver function (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears stagnation

Fennel Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Reduces bloating

  • TCM: Warms digestive organs, eases flow


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part senna leaf

  • 1 part peppermint

  • 1 part dandelion root

  • 1 part fennel seeds

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 5–10 min.

Use: 1 cup daily as needed, short-term use only.


Toenail Fungus Tea — Cleanse Damp-Heat & Kill Fungus


Why Are These Herbs Choosen?

Fungal infections are a mix of external pathogens and internal damp-heat in TCM. This blend:

  • Attacks fungus (oregano, thyme)

  • Enhances circulation (ginger)

  • Clears heat and toxins (tea tree oil topically)


Ingredients & Benefits

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

  • Antifungal carvacrol (PubMed)

  • TCM: Dispels damp-heat

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Increases blood flow, antifungal (PubMed)

  • TCM: Promotes Qi circulation

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

  • Strong antifungal (PubMed)

  • TCM: Expels cold and damp

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia - topical)


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part oregano

  • 1 part ginger

  • 1 part thyme

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 5–10 min.

Use: 1 cup daily + apply diluted tea tree oil topically.


Blood Sugar Support Tea — Balance Qi & Glucose


Why Are These Herbs Choosen?

Blood sugar imbalances often involve liver stress, insulin resistance, and digestive weakness. This formula:

  • Improves insulin function (cinnamon, bitter melon, fenugreek)

  • Supports liver detoxification (dandelion)


Ingredients & Benefits

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

  • Lowers blood sugar, improves insulin (PubMed)

  • TCM: Warms channels, supports circulation

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

  • Insulin mimetic, lowers glucose (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears heat, reduces thirst

Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

  • Enhances glucose metabolism (PubMed)

  • TCM: Strengthens Spleen Qi

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

  • Supports liver and metabolic health (PubMed)

  • TCM: Clears liver stagnation


Blend Recipe

  • 1 part cinnamon

  • 1 part bitter melon

  • 1 part fenugreek seeds

  • 1 part dandelion root

Brewing: 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 5–10 min.

Use: 1 cup with meals, 1–2x daily.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine these blends?
Focus on one at a time to match your current priority.

How long before I see results?

  • Sleep/Digestion: Often within days

  • Blood sugar/fungal: May take 4–8 weeks

  • Pain: Often within 1–2 weeks

Are these safe for long-term use?
Some (like senna) should only be used short-term. Always consult your practitioner.


Now You Have True DIY Formulas — Not Random Tea Bags

Final Thoughts: The Real Power Is in the Blend

Herbs are powerful — but only when used correctly. Anyone can buy individual herbs, but knowing how to blend them together is what unlocks their full healing potential. This is exactly why Traditional Chinese Medicine has emphasized formulas for thousands of years: combining herbs allows you to balance their strengths, minimize side effects, and target multiple root causes at once.

Each of the 6 blends you’ve just learned isn’t random — they were carefully built to:

  • Support multiple body systems simultaneously

  • Balance warming, cooling, moving, and nourishing functions

  • Enhance both short-term symptom relief and long-term healing

  • Reflect both modern scientific research and time-tested herbal wisdom

Herbs aren’t just ingredients — they’re tools. And when you know how to use them together, you become your own herbalist.
Whether you’re calming stress, easing gut issues, or balancing blood sugar, these blends give you everything you need to take your health into your own hands.
So go ahead — boil the water. Steep the leaves. And experience what real herbal medicine feels like when it’s done right.