For those days you forget your breath mints (or forgot to brush your teeth), a cup of polyphenol-rich black tea can save you from embarrassing bad breath. The antioxidants can stop plaque and other buildup from adhering to your teeth. Plus, if you're game to swish and spit your tea (not as relaxing as simply enjoying a cup), a study by Pace University found that rinsing with black tea can inhibit bacteria growth and destroy the acids that cause tooth decay. Just remember that tea, like coffee, can stain your pearly whites, so don't even think of using it as a toothpaste replacement.

If sugar cravings are your biggest vice, skip the crash (and the calories) and opt for a cup of licorice root tea, which is naturally sweet and has only two calories per cup. Licorice root is actually 50 times sweeter than sugar, so although it doesn't seem like it could take the place of a big bowl of ice cream, your sweet tooth will quit its fussing. However, like anything else, drink licorice tea in moderation. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns over 20 grams of licorice root a day can lead to increased blood pressure and other ailments.

Sleep seems to be in short supply these days, and with less sleep comes more trips to Starbucks. Before you know it, an innocent cup-a-day coffee routine can turn into a full-blown habit, complete with $5 lattes and withdrawal headaches when you can't get your fix. For a more natural pick-me-up, switch to ginkgo tea. Ginkgo tea not only wakes you up, but also gives you a boost of brainpower by aiding the brain in metabolizing glucose for energy to improve mental function. Translation: It makes sure your brain is getting all the nutrients it needs to solve even the toughest crossword clue.

Allergies have been the bane of my existence since I was a teenager. Anyone with allergies knows this isn't a melodramatic statement. Hay fever, itchy nose and throat and red, puffy eyes -- it's the worst. And since every year I seem to become immune to a new type of allergy medicine, this year I'll be trying nettle tea. Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine. While research is still out on what exactly it is about nettle that helps with allergies, it has been shown to improve sneezing and itching. The NYU Langone Medical Center states the studied dosage is 300 milligrams twice a day of freeze-dried nettle leaf, but you can also add honey and other herbs for taste. Click here for a recipe from the Gardenista.