Dried Herb & Tea

Echinacea purpurea

Juice pressed from fresh echinacea plants may help with short-term prevention and treatment of colds. Dried echinacea tea is not covered.

Dried Herb & Tea

Plantago ovata

Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines.

Dried Herb & Tea

Senna alexandrina

A stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. No longer than 1 week; not for children under 12, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dried Herb & Tea

Hypericum perforatum

St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill.

Dried Herb & Tea

Valeriana officinalis

Dry extracts of valerian root may help with mild nervous tension and sleep problems; they work gradually, so use them for 2–4 weeks.

Dried Herb & Tea

Hibiscus sabdariffa

A sour, red tea. Meta-analyses of small clinical trials found it slightly lowered blood pressure in mildly high blood pressure.

Dried Herb & Tea

Rosa canina

A fruit rich in vitamin C. A special rose hip powder helped reduce pain in knee and hip osteoarthritis in small clinical studies.

Dried Herb & Tea

Cynara cardunculus (syn. C. scolymus)

Artichoke leaf is traditionally used for indigestion with fullness, bloating and wind; it must not be used with gallbladder disease.

Dried Herb & Tea

Calendula officinalis

Calendula flower is traditionally used for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid to heal minor wounds and as a mouth gargle.

Dried Herb & Tea

Matricaria recutita

A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation.

Dried Herb & Tea

Zea mays

A tea made from the silky threads of corn cobs, traditionally drunk to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints. It does not cause weight loss.

Dried Herb & Tea

Sambucus nigra

Elderflower tea is traditionally used to relieve early symptoms of the common cold. The assessment covers the flowers only.

Dried Herb & Tea

Camellia sinensis

Green tea is traditionally used to relieve fatigue and a feeling of weakness; it contains caffeine and is unsuitable with high blood pressure or ulcers.

Dried Herb & Tea

Crataegus spp.

Hawthorn leaf and flower are traditionally used for palpitations linked to mild anxiety, after a doctor has ruled out serious heart disease.

Dried Herb & Tea

Equisetum arvense

Horsetail is traditionally used to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints and, on the skin, to support healing of superficial wounds.

Dried Herb & Tea

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender flower tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress and exhaustion and to aid sleep in adults and teenagers.

Dried Herb & Tea

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm leaf tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress, to aid sleep and for mild bloating and wind in adults.

Dried Herb & Tea

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Traditionally used for heartburn and indigestion and as an expectorant for cough with a cold; it needs care as it can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.

Dried Herb & Tea

Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos

Linden (lime) flower tea is traditionally used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and mild symptoms of stress in adults and older children.

Dried Herb & Tea

Althaea officinalis

Marshmallow root is soaked in cold water and used to soothe throat irritation with dry cough and mild stomach discomfort.

Dried Herb & Tea

Mentha × piperita

Peppermint leaf tea is traditionally used for indigestion and wind; it can make heartburn worse in people with acid reflux.

Dried Herb & Tea

Passiflora incarnata

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) herb tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep.

Dried Herb & Tea

Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort plantain leaf is traditionally used for throat irritation with dry cough, for cough with a cold and for minor skin inflammation.

Dried Herb & Tea

Salvia officinalis

Sage leaf is traditionally used as a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation, for mild indigestion and for excessive sweating.

Dried Herb & Tea