1. JuPu tea (available in Chinatown in NY… perhaps elsewhere, too); it has a naturally sweet flavor, even when unsweetened.
2. An infusion of fennel seeds or aniseed (just douse them with boiling water and let them sink to the bottom of the cup) – very relaxing, aids digestion.
3. Sage leaves (real, live ones, not dried) boiled together with regular black tea – loose or in a bag – and sugar to taste, then strained. Good for the stomach, and especially for period cramps, gas, or constipation.
4. Chamomile.
5. A bit esoteric, but: An herb called “Zuta Levana” or “Zuta” – excellent for soothing the stomach and relaxing the mind, grows in the hilly regions of the Middle East. Might be available at a Lebanese grocery, or at an emporium such as Kalustyan’s in NYC.
6. Any mix of sage, lemon grass, lemon verbena, mint leaves, and other herbs – with or without black tea, with or without sugar.
7. Last but not least: Sometimes there’s nothing like a good old “cuppa”: English or Irish Breakfast tea, milk and sugar… Mmmmmm