✨ Sip to Heal: 4 Herbal Teas That Curb Cravings, Aid Sleep, Support Lungs, and Soothe Hunger
- ketogenicfasting
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 24
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.

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.
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