The incredible health benefits of our top 5 teas and herbal blends
Water is known as the most popular drink in the entire world; the second most popular drink is not coffee, Coca-Cola, or even beer - that’s right, you’ve guessed it, it’s TEA!
Tea has been around for longer than the majority of our drinks and beverages nowadays. Tea was said to be first harvested in 2700 B.C by Chinese emperor and herbalist Shen Nung, the emperor was also known as “The Divine Healer” due to his teas having extraordinary healing and restorative benefits on those who drank it.
Here we are thousands of years later still crafting and drinking tea for it’s phenomenal health and wellness benefits. One of the greatest aspects of tea is it’s simplicity. All you’ll ever need is hot water and dried leaves of pure joy and deliciousness to make the perfect, healing brew.
Take a journey with us as we explore the health benefits of our 5 most popular teas and herbal blends:
1. Oolong Tea
Oolong Tea is a wonderfully gorgeous tea, its taste varying from floral to earthy and sweet to toasty - there’s a taste to suit any palate. Oolong Tea leaves are known for their elegance and sweet aroma, and when brewed correctly varies from a light yellow to a radiant orange colour.
The health benefits of Oolong Tea include:
- Increased metabolism - aiding in weight loss: metabolism and energy is said to increase 2 hours after drinking Oolong Tea. The polyphenols found within Oolong Tea help to breakdown excess fat
- Lowers cholesterol: the semi-oxidized Oolong tea leaves are known to activate the enzyme Lipase which helps to dissolve fat build-up within the cardiovascular system, lowering cholesterol and improving heart health
- Increased mental alertness and focus: yes, Oolong Tea does contain caffeine, but not nearly enough as coffee. The average cup of Oolong Tea contains between 10 - 60mg of caffeine - which is just enough to give you an energy boost without the jitters or eventual ‘crashing’. It’s definitely the healthier option if you need something quick to wake you up!
- Improves digestive function: if you suffer from digestive issues like acid reflux, ulcers, and inflammatory problems in the digestive tract then Oolong Tea is the key to your relief. Due to its antiseptic properties, Oolong Tea alkalizes and breaks down unwanted bacteria and inflammation in your gut.
- Promotes healthy hair: besides drinking the Oolong Tea, you can use your used tea leaves to create a hair serum. The high level of antioxidants found in Oolong Tea helps to prevent hair loss and promote healthy, shining hair! Simply pour the cooled tea over your hair, wetting it from root to tip, leave it on for 10-15 minutes then rinse out
2. Moringa
Moringa is a gorgeous green plant native to the Indian Subcontinent, it’s also referred to as Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tea, or Ben Oil Tree. The Moringa leaves can be crushed or ground into a fine green power - the powered version is often mistaken for Matcha, but the two are in fact entirely different.
Moringa has a lovely earthy taste along with earthy aromas when being brewed. You may expect the tea to be green, however when brewed correctly Moringa has a light orange colour.
The health benefits of Moringa include:
- Nutrient powerhouse: Moringa has been used for centuries as an effective dietary supplement. Enriched with proteins, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, and Riboflavin - Moringa is a superfood and the combination of vitamins and minerals have been used to treat many deficiencies naturally!
- Antioxidant king: Moringa contains powerful antioxidants that help to eliminate harmful free radicals in the blood and body. In addition to Vitamin C, the antioxidant Quercetin is known to reduce blood pressure.
- Lowers blood sugar levels: the combination of all the vitamins and minerals in Moringa is said to help reduce blood sugar levels, especially after meals. High blood sugar levels are one of the key contributors to Diabetes, so if you find your blood sugar levels are getting a bit to high, try incorporating Moringa to your daily routine
- Reduces inflammation: the chemical compound isothiocyanates, is known to help reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. Besides drinking your Moringa to reduce inflammation, add some of the tea leaves into your bath water and have a relaxing soak to help further reduce inflammation in your body
- Weight management: there are always two sides to a coin - the people who struggle to lose weight and the people who struggle to gain weight. Having the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in your body is extremely important in losing and gaining weight. Moringa contains all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to help maintain healthy weight
3. Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate (often referred to as just Mate), is an evergreen plant with gorgeous green leaves, bright red drupe fruit and dainty white flowers. Native to South America, the Yerba Mate leaves and twigs are dried, then steeped in hot water to create a popular beverage called Mate.
When brewed correctly Mate has a delicious deep flavour and gives off a faint aroma similar to eucalyptus. Mate can be enjoyed both hot and cold, and is complimented well with honey.
The health benefits of Mate tea include:
- Enriched with antioxidants and nutrients: Mate contains antioxidants and nutrients extremely beneficial to health and wellbeing. Xanthines are compounds used to aid metabolism and stimulate absorption. Caffeoyl derivatives are the main health promoting antioxidants found in Mate. Saponins are compounds used to help reduce inflammation and cholesterol. Polyphenols are antioxidants known to reduce many diseases
- Boosts energy and improves focus: the average amount of caffeine in Mate is around 85mg per cup - which is much less than coffee! The caffeinated properties of Mate allow improved energy and stimulation of brain function. Mate provides longer lasting energy, without the jitters
- Enhanced physical performance: if you’re looking for a natural pre-workout, look no further! The properties of Mate improve muscle contractions, reduce fatigue during exercise, and increase your body’s reliance of burning fat as fuel during exercise
- Protects against viruses and infections: Mate is said to have anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal properties. Used to treat stomach cramps and diarrhea, as well as scaly skin, dandruff, and certain skin rashes/breakouts. To treat topical skin related issues and dandruff, simply allow your Mate brew to cool down, then transfer into a spritz or spray bottle and apply directly to your skin or scalp
- Boost the immune system: Mate contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are known to help boost and maintain healthy function of the immune system
4. Fennel
From being a popular culinary staple to being used across the world as a medicinal herb - fennel is one of the most versatile plants out-there!
When brewed, fennel tea gives off a wonderful relaxing scent, and tantalizes the palate with warm licorice flavours.
The health benefits of Fennel tea include:
- Highly nutritious: dynamite truly comes in small packages when referring to fennel. Even though fennel seeds are quite small they are low in calories and enriched with amazing vitamins and minerals. Fennel contains fiber, iron, and Vitamin C to aid tissue repair, immunity, and collagen synthesis. As well as manganese, magnesium, potassium, and calcium to help strengthen bones
- Lowers the risk of disease: fennel contains powerful antioxidants and polyphenols that have been linked to reducing high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes type 2, obesity, and cancers
- Suppressed appetite: anethole is a powerful organic compound found in fennel, and is said to help suppress appetite aiding in weight loss
- Reduces inflammation: fennel has been used medicinally for centuries to treat inflammation of the body. You could simply add a few spoons of fennel seeds to your bath water and enjoy a relaxing and soothing bath that will help ease pain and inflammation
- Helps maintain a healthy heart: fiber, magnesium, potassium, and calcium are all active minerals found in fennel and significantly help maintain a healthy heart
5. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a stalky green plant also known as citronella - used in both cooking, healing, and repelling bugs, lemongrass is a phenomenal plant!
Brewing lemongrass tea is a relaxing and calming process, the brew emits a gorgeous lemony fresh aroma (known to uplift moods) and the brew has an exceptionally tasty citrus flavour.
The health benefits of Lemongrass Tea include:
- Powerful antioxidants: tea as a whole is filled with antioxidants - lemongrass tea however is packed with powerful antioxidants known to eliminate toxins and cancer causing free radicals from the body. Chlorogenic acid and isoorientin are antioxidants known to prevent the dysfunction of cells within coronary arteries
- Increases oral hygiene and health: lemongrass tea has antimicrobial properties that help combat oral infections, cavity formation, and tooth decay. It also helps fight bacteria that cause bad breath!
- Promotes healthy digestion: for many centuries lemongrass tea has been used to soothe stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomachs, and gastric ulcers. Drinking lemongrass tea before taking aspirin or harsh medications will help protect the stomach lining against damage
- Powerful diuretic: if you suffer from heart failure, liver failure, or edemas, diuretics are usually prescribed by your doctor to help the body get rid of excess fluid and sodium. Using lemongrass tea as a natural diuretic will help protect your body from harmful chemicals and help benefit your health
- Natural insect repellent: brewing lemongrass tea is an excellent opportunity to refocus your energy and relax, you can drink your brew or spray it all over yourself! Once your brew has cooled down add it to a spritz or spray bottle, and apply over all exposed skin. Lemongrass tea has cooling properties and is an excellent insect repellent - bye bye mosquitoes and flies!
There’s no doubt that through the ages tea has given us endless health and wellness benefits! By just incorporating herbal teas and blends into your daily routine, you will actually begin to see and feel changes in your health and wellness.
In the time of Emperor Shen Nung tea was considered a boon, and now we can definitely see why!