Sandra Orchard | Herbal Remedies-Hype or Helpful?

Where do you sit on the herbal remedies spectrum? Would you side with Kate Adams, the herbal-medicine-researcher-turned-amateur-sleuth of my Port Aster Secrets mystery series, who has an herbal tea for whatever ails you? Or do you favor the view of one of her naysayers who says, “If you ask me, all that eye of newt stuff is just another way to part a fool from his money.”

I had a lot of fun researching both herbal remedies and poisons—some which
might
surprise you—for the series. And since my heroine has such a fondness for
herbal teas, I
thought I’d share a couple of teas that are getting a lot of attention in
our family
these days.

Red raspberry leaf tea is a staple in my eldest daughter diet as we eagerly await the birth of her third child.

It’s supposed to encourage easy labor, and since her first child was born
fifteen
minutes after my daughter stepped into the hospital, and the second one was
born in the
bathtub before she even thought to call the midwife, she’s a believer in
it’s
helpfulness!

I try not to begrudge the fact that I labored with my daughter all night and
spent a
painful two hours in delivery before the doctor finally yanked her out. But
I digress.

Even if you’re not pregnant, raspberry leaves are a rich source of calcium,
iron,
manganese and magnesium, and help decrease heavy periods.

Of course in these final days, with junior kicking my daughter awake in the wee hours of the morning, she’s been craving chamomile tea to help her sleep.

But alas, chamomile tea is one of the many herbal teas that pregnant women
should limit
or avoid during pregnancy.

So… I was thinking how much she’ll enjoy finally being able to enjoy a cup
and a full
night’s sleep once BABY has arrived.

Right, what was I thinking?! A full night’s sleep is not in her near future!

But if baby proves to be a little colicky, the chamomile tea might help
soothe his or
her uncomfortable tummy. We tried it with my first grandchild, without much
success, but
some mothers find it helps.

If all else fails, as my daughter falls asleep over her steaming cup of
chamomile tea,
she’ll discover it’s also great for brightening up dull, tired skin.

Marigolds are great for this, too. Of course, you might want to read DEADLY DEVOTION, the first book in my series to learn which type of marigold tea is good for you and which might…well…kill you. The series continues with BLIND TRUST and wraps up with the newly released, DESPERATE MEASURES, in which Kate extends her investigation and finds herself and her long-dead dad tangled in an international corporate conspiracy, while the detective who’s been trying to keep her safe finds himself fighting an uphill battle.

GIVEAWAY

Your Turn: What’s your favorite tea for what ails you? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win copy of DESPERATE MEASURES, a mug and some tea!!

About Sandra Orchard

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of Deadly Devotion, Blind Trust
and Desperate
Measures of the Port Aster Secrets mystery series, set in the picturesque
surroundings
of Niagara, Canada, which she and her husband call home. She also has
numerous
Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense titles, including a Romantic Times
Reviewers’ Choice
Award winner and an RT Book Reviews Top Pick. In addition to her busy
writing schedule,
she enjoys speaking at events, teaching writing workshops, and researching
new plots,
when not doting on her young grandchildren. Learn more about Sandra’s books
and check
out the special bonus features, such as deleted scenes and location pics, at
www.sandraorchard.com.
Connect at: http://www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

Website | Facebook |

About DESPERATE MEASURES

Kate won’t be safe until all of Port Aster’s secrets are revealed Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the supposed “miracle plant” that tore her family apart years ago. She’s certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance. She’s willing to risk anything to find the truth, including her relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But with so many people in pursuit of the plant, going it alone might be a fatal mistake.

Award-winning author Sandra Orchard pulls out all the stops in this
breakneck and
breathtaking conclusion to the Port Aster Secrets series.

Comments

25 comments posted.

Re: Sandra Orchard | Herbal Remedies-Hype or Helpful?

For comfort I always go to basic black tea. I've tried all the herbals, the hibiscus, etc., but always end up using a simple black tea for comforting. Your book sounds great. Best of luck with it.
(Nancy Reynolds 10:20am June 19, 2015)

When I'm feeling sick and coming down with a cold I will fix myself a hot cup of either black or green tea , and sip away on it . It warms me up when I'm chilled to the bone also .Thanks for this chance to win this book , it sounds like it will be an exciting read.
(Joan Thrasher 10:48am June 19, 2015)

When I need a soothing. light tea for a sore throat I love
lemon chamomile with honey which is effective and my favorite.
(Sharon Berger 11:57am June 19, 2015)

My sister is the big tea drinker in the family... lately she has been on an apple tea kick...
(Colleen Conklin 12:54pm June 19, 2015)

Ginger slices steeped in boiling water, with lemon juice and
honey added to the mug. It is wonderful for cough and colds.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:55pm June 19, 2015)

Thank you, Nancy for the best wishes.

Joan, I agree, I live in a cold drafty house and love a hot cup of tea to warm me up.

Sharon, great remedy for a sore throat! chamomile isn't a favorite of mine, but lemon and honey often does the trick.

Oh, Colleen, I've been on an apple tea kick too. I love it as an iced tea. Trouble was I didn't realize it had caffeine the first night I tried it, since it wasn't black. I drank 3 cups. Whew, was I ever up late that night!

Oh, yes, G, ginger is awesome for colds!
(Sandra Orchard 3:10pm June 19, 2015)

Peppermint tea for upset stomach & cramps, sleepytime tea
for relaxation, lemon tea for sore throat, orange pekoe for
a pick-me-up!
(Margie Vaillancourt 3:30pm June 19, 2015)

I am normally a very big coffee drinker but every now and then I enjoy a
cup of pear tea or lavender tea. I've discovered in the past if I drink too
much tea I get kidney stones, no kidding.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
(Gail Hollingsworth 3:34pm June 19, 2015)

In the summer, I always have a jug of iced tea in the
fridge made according to my mother's recipe steeped
with fresh mint and with lemon added. I've been
drinking it all my life at least 65 years). If I want
something comforting, I always turn to jasmine tea.
The aroma is soothing and it tastes so good.
(Irene Menge 4:03pm June 19, 2015)

I like Republic of Tea's Orange Ginger Mint tea when I have an upset stomach. I grow Chocolate Mint in a window box (to keep the chipmunks from eating it) to put in my iced tea.
(Becky Lee 5:54pm June 19, 2015)

Cinnamon Apple tea for a relaxing evening drink :)
(Deanna Stevens 9:05pm June 19, 2015)

I discovered you as an author last year. Since then I've read most of your books. Not only do I love your books, so does my Dad and my husband. Mother loves it too (she will be 90 in July). I have left reviews of previous books on Christian Books, Deeper Shopping, Book Club Network, BAM & B&N. Also I leave reviews on Good Reads and several of sites.
(Pat Moore 9:16pm June 19, 2015)

I forgot to add, I was raised on teas and herbal remedies by my Grandmother who was born in 1890 in England. She used different teas and one thing she gave me was honey, peppermint candy, lemon & whiskey - heated. Once she gave it to me I couldn't go outside until the next day. You could catch pneumonia if you did. I love English Breakfast Tea, green tea and chamomile tea. Earl Gray is just too week. I was raised on tea time with my grandmother - she lived next door.
(Pat Moore 9:19pm June 19, 2015)

I usually drink peppermint tea when I am sick
(Sara White 9:35pm June 19, 2015)

when we were sick ad you could not get lemon and tea and then my grand ma would keep you in the bed till you were better and then never new what she had but made you drink it and then she sit there and if you fell asleep that it worked
(Desiree Reilly 11:06pm June 19, 2015)

Peppermint tea is my favorite!
(Ria Andrews 11:06pm June 19, 2015)

Mint tea
(Marissa Yip-Young 5:40am June 20, 2015)

I am so enjoying reading all these answers, especially the tidbits about grandmas and tea. Pat, it's fun to hear the men in your life enjoy my books, too. Thank you so much for posting reviews. I really appreciate that! Becky, I've never heard of chocolate mint...except in ice cream. I'm going on a hunt for that! :)
(Sandra Orchard 8:17am June 20, 2015)

I like Peach.
(Beth Elder 8:21am June 20, 2015)

peppermint tea
(MaryEllen Hanneman 10:50am June 20, 2015)

I didn't know there was peach tea or chocolate mint tea. Think I'll go look for those also...both do sound good. Apple tea and lemon tea are good. I have not read any of your books yet but others recommendations are very encouraging for me to read them.
(Linda Luinstra 4:36pm June 20, 2015)

Peppermint tea is my favorite for when I need a "pick me up."
(Rachel Kerrinski 8:32pm June 20, 2015)

I drink a lot of green tea because they say it is good for
you and I also like the Earl Gray.
(Leona Olson 8:44pm June 20, 2015)

Ginger tea always helps with an upset stomach!
(Denise Austin 1:52pm June 21, 2015)

Peppermint tea is definitely my favorite!
(Melissa Oldaker 12:25pm June 23, 2015)

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