✨ Sip to Heal: 4 Herbal Teas That Curb Cravings, Aid Sleep, Support Lungs, and Soothe Hunger

Cutting sugar — especially when it’s been a daily staple — can feel like going through actual withdrawal. The discomfort is real: headaches, irritability, fatigue, and that restless pacing around the kitchen, opening the fridge for the tenth time like it might suddenly reveal a hidden stash of relief. If you’ve been there, you’re not alone.

Some people hop on the keto train full steam ahead. But for others, sugar cravings can be intense — not just physical, but deeply emotional. These cravings often mask a need for comfort, distraction, or even a pause from the demands of daily life. Emotional eaters know this story well. That’s where herbal teas can be a game changer.

Herbalist Kate August

These soothing infusions offer more than just a cozy moment — they provide real, physiological support to help your body and mind adapt. From calming stress hormones to gently curbing appetite and cravings, the right herbal teas can act as allies during your low-carb journey.

While some herbal tea blends include actual tea leaves (and with them, caffeine), most are simply infusions of dried herbs, flowers, roots, and seeds — naturally caffeine-free and ideal for drinking day or night. Many people prefer herbal teas in the evening, especially when trying to avoid stimulants or sugary snacks before bed.

So instead of reaching for something sweet, try reaching for something steeped.

⬇️ Up next: Watch herbalist Kate August share a simple, soothing blend to help curb sugar cravings — one that’s helped many people gently transition away from sugar dependency.

Following this interesting video, we’ll explore four of the most effective, simple, caffeine-free, powerhouse herbal teas to support your journey during keto adaptation and beyond — from sleep and lung health to hunger control and sugar detox.

🌙 1. Chamomile + Lavender Tea

For: Deep sleep, stress relief, calming nervous sugar cravings

Why It Works:

Chamomile and lavender are calming herbs known to help regulate cortisol (stress hormone), ease muscle tension, and gently lull the body into restful sleep. A good night’s rest reduces sugar cravings and emotional eating the next day.

Benefits:

• Natural mild sedative

• Reduces nighttime cravings

• Rich in apigenin (an antioxidant that binds to brain receptors)

• Anti-inflammatory, digestive-soothing

How to Make:

• Steep 1 tbsp dried chamomile + 1 tsp dried lavender flowers in 1.5 cups hot water

• Cover and let steep for 7–10 minutes

• Strain and sip warm

How Often:

Drink nightly, 30–60 minutes before bed. Effects improve with consistency — benefits may be felt within 1–3 nights.

Where to Buy:

• Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals for organic bulk herbs

• Local co-ops or apothecaries

• Look for pre-blended tea bags like Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night

🍃 2. Licorice Root Tea

For: Curbing sweet cravings, adrenal support, energy balance

Why It Works:

Licorice root has a naturally sweet taste — without sugar or carbs — that satisfies the palate. It also helps regulate blood sugar, supports adrenal function, and reduces fatigue, a common cause of reaching for sweets.

Benefits:

• Naturally sweet without sugar

• Balances blood glucose

• Supports adrenal glands (helps fight fatigue-induced cravings)

• Anti-inflammatory and antiviral

How to Make:

• Simmer 1 tsp dried licorice root in 2 cups of water for 10–15 minutes

• Strain and enjoy warm or chilled

How Often:

1–2 times daily. Avoid if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant.

Where to Buy:

• Organic India Licorice Tea

• Buddha Teas or Gaia Herbs

• Bulk herb stores online

💨 3. Mullein Leaf Tea

For: Lung cleansing, immune support, reducing inflammation

Why It Works:

If you've ever been a smoker or lived in a city with poor air quality, mullein is a lung-loving herb worth sipping. It supports detox pathways, relieves congestion, and calms dry coughs — especially helpful during detox or when entering ketosis.

Benefits:

• Eases respiratory irritation

• Natural lung tonic

• Mildly diuretic (gentle detox support)

• Antibacterial and antiviral

How to Make:

• Steep 1 tbsp dried mullein leaves in hot water for 10 minutes

• Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (the fuzz can irritate the throat)

• Sip warm with a squeeze of lemon

How Often:

1 cup daily for lung support, up to 3 weeks. Take breaks between extended use.

Where to Buy:

• Frontier Co-op, Herbal Revolution, or Banyan Botanicals

• Available in herbal blends like Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy

🧘‍♀️ 4. Fennel Seed Tea

For: Curbing hunger, reducing bloat, digestive support

Why It Works:

Fennel has been used for centuries to soothe digestion and reduce appetite. It helps reduce bloating and mimics the sensation of fullness — perfect when you're adjusting to smaller or less frequent keto meals.

Benefits:

• Natural appetite suppressant

• Reduces bloating and gas

• Sweet, licorice-like flavor

• Antioxidant-rich and gut-soothing

How to Make:

• Lightly crush 1 tsp fennel seeds

• Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes

• Strain and sip after meals or between them

How Often:

1–3 cups per day, especially during hunger spikes or after meals.

Where to Buy:

• Pukka Three Fennel Tea

• Banyan Botanicals or Starwest Botanicals

• Easily found in Indian grocery stores or the spice aisle

💡 Pro Tip: Create a Ritual

When sugar cravings strike, making tea becomes more than a beverage — it becomes a grounding act. The process of boiling water, choosing herbs, and holding a warm mug in your hands is a beautiful way to meet your needs for comfort without sugar.

“Part of the craving isn’t for sugar. It’s for pause, for presence, for peace.”

🫖 Final Thoughts

Herbal teas offer both physiological and emotional support during your low-carb transformation. They are non-addictive, have zero carbs, and are often packed with antioxidants and healing compounds that help you gently reclaim control from sugar.

Start with just one tea that meets your current challenge. Sip slowly, breathe deeply, and let nature do its work.