Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company
Ten Wellness Herbs For Physical And Mental Health
A grounded, research-informed guide to ten organic herbs that support the body and calm the mind — with tasting notes, traditional uses, and the science behind them.
Long before "wellness" was a marketing word, people were steeping roots, leaves, and flowers into simple cups of tea to feel better — to sleep, to digest, to breathe easier, to settle a racing mind. Modern research has since caught up with a good deal of this traditional plant wisdom, confirming (and sometimes refining) what herbalists have known for centuries.
Below are ten organic wellness herbs carried by Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company, a small, family-run tea and spice shop that has been sourcing herbs directly from growers for over twenty years. For each herb, you'll find its traditional and modern uses, what the peer-reviewed research says, and what it actually tastes like in the cup — because an herb you won't enjoy drinking is an herb you won't keep drinking.
Linden Leaf & Flower Tilia spp.
Healthful Properties & Uses
Linden trees line city streets and parks around the world — including, as Sullivan Street notes, throughout New York City — and their fragrant flowers and leaves have a long-standing reputation in European folk medicine as a gentle nervine, traditionally sipped in the evening to unwind and ease occasional nervous tension.
Because these findings come primarily from preclinical (animal and lab) research rather than large human trials, linden is best regarded as a traditional calming tea rather than a clinically proven treatment — but the mechanistic evidence is a meaningful step beyond folklore alone.
Taste Profile
Floral and lightly sweet, with a softer, more earthy finish than chamomile. Sullivan Street's organic Bulgarian-grown linden works equally well as a warm nightcap or an iced summer infusion.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Nettle Leaf Urtica dioica
Healthful Properties & Uses
Stinging nettle has one of the broadest traditional-use profiles of any herb, historically employed for everything from joint discomfort to seasonal allergies. Once dried and steeped, the "sting" disappears entirely, leaving a nutrient-dense, mineral-rich infusion.
Nettle's anti-inflammatory activity is thought to stem largely from its polysaccharides and caffeic malic acid content, which appear to inhibit inflammatory pathways including cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase.7
Taste Profile
Deep green, grassy, and mildly vegetal — closer to a strong green tea or dried spinach than a floral tisane. Many drinkers find it pairs well with lemon or mint.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
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Mullein Leaf Verbascum thapsus
Healthful Properties & Uses
Mullein — and the whole plant, historically — has been used for ailments ranging from toothaches to tonsillitis. Today it is most often reached for as a lung-supportive herb: an expectorant tea for coughs and congestion.
Human clinical trials on mullein specifically are still limited, so its respiratory benefits remain best supported by laboratory and traditional-use evidence rather than large-scale trials.
Taste Profile
Mild, faintly sweet, and slightly honey-like, with a soft, almost velvety mouthfeel from its natural mucilage — gentle enough to sip several cups a day.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Turmeric Root Curcuma longa
Healthful Properties & Uses
Beyond its role in Middle Eastern and Asian cooking, turmeric is the principal anti-inflammatory herb of Ayurvedic medicine, traditionally used to support liver function and ease inflammation throughout the body.
Curcumin has notoriously poor natural bioavailability, which is why many clinical formulations pair it with black pepper extract (piperine) or specialized delivery systems — plain culinary turmeric tea delivers a milder dose than concentrated supplements used in trials.
Not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Taste Profile
Earthy, slightly bitter, and warmly peppery, with the same golden color and gentle heat you'd recognize from curry — excellent blended with ginger or black pepper.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
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Ashwagandha Root Withania somnifera
Healthful Properties & Uses
A cornerstone adaptogenic herb of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, ashwagandha is traditionally used to help the body adapt to stress, and is reputed to support sleep, energy, and memory.
Not every trial has shown uniformly positive results — one 12-week RCT in older, overweight adults found ashwagandha reduced fatigue but did not significantly outperform placebo on perceived stress15 — underscoring that effects can vary by population, dose, and extract standardization.
Taste Profile
Earthy, slightly bitter, and distinctly "root-like," with a warm, almost malted undertone. Many people prefer it blended with warming spices like ginger or cinnamon, or stirred into warm milk.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
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Chamomile Flower Matricaria recutita
Healthful Properties & Uses
Perhaps the most iconic bedtime herbal tea, chamomile is prized for its calming and digestive properties, and Sullivan Street sources a premium, exceptionally aromatic organic Croatian flower.
Taste Profile
Agreeably aromatic, smooth, and gently sweet with a soft apple-like note — one of the most approachable, universally loved herbal teas, hot or iced.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Dandelion Root (Roasted) Taraxacum officinale
Healthful Properties & Uses
Dandelion root acts as a mild choleretic — an agent that stimulates the release of bile from the liver into the gallbladder — and Sullivan Street notes it is traditionally used to support digestion of fats and liver and gallbladder function, along with acting as one of the best-known herbal diuretics.
Much of the strongest mechanistic evidence for dandelion's liver-protective effects currently comes from animal studies; rigorous large-scale human liver trials remain limited.
Taste Profile
Roasted dandelion root is rich, nutty, and slightly bitter — remarkably similar to coffee, minus the caffeine — making it a favorite among those cutting back on their morning cup.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
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Hibiscus Flowers Hibiscus sabdariffa
Healthful Properties & Uses
Sullivan Street's organic Egyptian hibiscus makes a deliciously tart, super-high-Vitamin-C infusion with a bright pink color and punchy finish — as much a treat as a wellness ritual.
Allergen note: Hibiscus may be intercropped with peanuts and may contain peanuts or shell fragments.
Taste Profile
Bold, tart, and cranberry-like, with a vivid ruby-pink color — delicious hot, but especially refreshing served iced on a summer afternoon.
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Ginger Root Zingiber officinale
Healthful Properties & Uses
Ginger is the most widely consumed herbal remedy on earth, used daily by billions as food, tea, and medicine — and re-steepable multiple times for a warm, spicy cup.
The osteoarthritis meta-analysis also noted that ginger users were somewhat more likely to discontinue treatment due to mild adverse effects (largely gastrointestinal) than those on placebo, so moderation is worthwhile for sensitive stomachs.25
Taste Profile
Warm, soothing, and spicy — the same peppery bite you'd expect from fresh ginger, mellowed slightly by drying, with a natural sweetness that holds up well in blends.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
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Valerian Root Valeriana officinalis
Healthful Properties & Uses
Known for its notably pungent smell, valerian root has a long history of use for promoting a good night's sleep and general relaxation. Sullivan Street sources its organic valerian from France.
Given its strong aroma and taste, first-time users are well advised to start with a light steep — Sullivan Street's own customer reviews note that a little goes a long way.
Taste Profile
Earthy and notably pungent — some describe it as musky or almost cheese-like — an acquired taste for many, best started at a lower strength (roughly one teaspoon per two cups of water) and adjusted from there.
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only. Use with caution; it is always recommended to consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal remedies.
Shop Organic Valerian Root →Bringing It All Together
These ten herbs span a wide range of traditional uses — from linden and chamomile's gentle nervous-system calm, to turmeric and ginger's anti-inflammatory support, to dandelion's liver-friendly bitterness and hibiscus's heart-healthy tartness. Herbal teas are not a substitute for medical care, and it's always worth talking to a healthcare provider before adding a new herb to your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a chronic condition. But as a daily ritual, a well-sourced cup of herbal tea remains one of the simplest, most enjoyable ways to support both body and mind.
All ten herbs featured here are organic and available from Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company's Organic Herbs & Wellness Blends collection.
References
- Aguirre-Hernández E, et al. Pharmacological evaluation of the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana L. var. mexicana in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. PubMed.
- Aguirre-Hernández E, et al. Bioactivity-guided isolation of beta-sitosterol and some fatty acids as active compounds in the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana. PubMed.
- González-Trujano ME, et al. Interactions of a standardized flavonoid fraction from Tilia americana with serotoninergic drugs in elevated plus maze. PubMed.
- Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med. 1990;56:44-47.
- Ghorbanibirgani A, Khalili A, Zamani L. The Efficacy of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized Double-Blind Study in 100 Patients. PMC.
- Kianbakht S, Khalighi-Sigaroodi F, Dabaghian FH. Improved glycemic control in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus taking Urtica dioica leaf extract: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Lab. 2013;59(9-10):1071-1076.
- Obertreis B, et al. Antiphlogistic effects of Urtica dioica folia extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung. 1996;46:52-56.
- Gupta A, Atkinson AN, Pandey AK, Bishayee A. Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review. Phytother Res. 2022;36(4):1507-1522.
- Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae). PMC.
- Efficacy of Curcuma longa in relieving pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
- Effect of curcumin on inflammatory markers and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis. PMC.
- Lopresti AL, et al. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PMC.
- Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed.
- Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L, Abdul Rahman R. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One. Link.
- Exploring the efficacy and safety of a novel standardized ashwagandha root extract (Witholytin®) in adults experiencing high stress and fatigue. PMC.
- Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;29:378-382.
- Long-term Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. PMC.
- Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res. Link.
- Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K. The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day. PMC.
- Pfingstgraf IO, et al. Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure. Antioxidants. PMC.
- The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day (review of therapeutic properties). ResearchGate.
- Serban C, Sahebkar A, Ursoniu S, Andrica F, Banach M. Effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2015;33(6):1119-1127.
- The efficacy of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on selected cardiovascular disease risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed.
- Herrera-Arellano A, et al. Clinical effects produced by a standardized herbal medicinal product of Hibiscus sabdariffa on patients with hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, lisinopril-controlled clinical trial. Planta Med. 2007;73(1):6-12.
- Bartels EM, et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015. Link.
- Lee J, Oh H. Ginger as an antiemetic modality for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2013;40:163-170.
- Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Med. PMC.
- Fernández-San-Martín MI, et al. Effectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Med. 2010;11(6):505-511.
