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5 Benefits of Chamomile Tea You Won’t Want to Miss

March 14, 2022

Chamomile tea is one of the most widely known and loved teas in the world, consumed by thousands for its numerous health benefits and delicious, clean taste. It’s easy to find in grocery stores and farmed in bulk simply to meet high demand. You’re likely wondering: why chamomile tea and what caused it historically to rise to popularity? We’ve got answers, and we also know that you won’t be able to get enough of this light, springy blend. Let’s get into the history, popularity, and wide list of ways that you can use chamomile tea for additional benefits.

History and rise of chamomile tea

There are two main types of chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile, which have an even longer and more diverse history. German chamomile tea was discovered and used widely in Europe and Eastern Asia since ancient times, working as both a drink and medicinal brew depending on the needs of the drinker.

Roman chamomile’s name was handed down from its impact on both Roman and Grecian cultures, coming from the Greek Khami (ground) and melon (apple). This was very appropriate, as this variety of the tea was known for its long stems and bulb-like endpoints that would brew into a delicious drink. It was so popular in ancient cultures, many considered it to be “god-given” and a type of religiously holy herb.

At this point, chamomile has been infused throughout a variety of products in both Western and Eastern cultures, including food, beverages, medications, cosmetics, and more — with good reason. This herb has a delicious, light taste and a variety of health benefits that you can enjoy with each cup.

What does chamomile tea taste like?

If you haven’t gotten to experience the taste of chamomile tea, you can expect an airy, floral taste. This gives way to a honey-sweet aftertaste and smooth finish. This is especially true if you make it hot. If you enjoy iced chamomile, you’ll likely encounter more of an herbaceous tang and deeper flavor depending on the depth of the brew. In either case, both types pair very well with honey, lemon, or ginger, and they are generally sold in standalone brew kits or paired with other soothing herbal blends.

Health benefits of chamomile tea

There are many health benefits that you can enjoy with each cup of chamomile tea, no matter what type is available to you. We do want to note that if you plan on using this tea for medicinal purposes, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional first to determine if this option is correct for your unique health needs.

1. Lower blood pressure

When you regularly drink chamomile tea, it is likely that you’ll experience naturally lower blood pressure. This is due to the presence of flavones, which are a class of antioxidants that are known to indicate your cardiac health levels and influence key health elements, like your cholesterol and blood pressure. If you find yourself constantly stressed or in a chronic state of burnout, chamomile tea can be especially helpful in regulating your circulatory system due to its calming effect.

2. Soothed sore throats

Allergy season is upon us, as well as the variety of spring flus that are going around. If you find yourself dealing with a sore throat from any trigger, this is a great tea blend to reach for. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and especially helpful in managing sore, irritated throats. You can find it at your nearest grocery store, making this an accessible treatment option to enjoy whenever you feel under the weather.

3. Restful and easier sleep

If you find yourself struggling with insomnia, you aren’t alone. Sleep issues affect 70 million of Americans per year according to the Cleveland Clinic, and this number can spike due to extreme stress and burnout like we currently face. Chamomile tea has been used since ancient times to address this issue and does so by its chemical composition that includes apigenin. This is known to influence GABA release and can be just what you need to get you into a deep, restorative sleep.

4. Restored gut health

Chamomile tea is a great herbal tea to reach for to support your natural microbiome and overall gut health. The tea is high in rich prebiotics, which allows your gut to rebuild any part of its damaged or less diverse flora.

5. Lower blood sugar levels

Chamomile tea can be very helpful in lowering your overall blood sugar levels. Recent scientific research showed consistent results spanning a total of eight weeks, and further research is being conducted to examine the extent of the benefit that the tea can bring to those dealing with hyperglycemia or diabetes. It’s also low-calorie, so it’s great to assist you in any sort of weight loss efforts.

We hope this list inspired you to pick up more of this delicious blend on your next store run. We know that you won’t be able to get enough of this drink!

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Tea Health Benefits

4 Health Benefits of Passionflower Tea That You Shouldn’t Ignore

March 10, 2022

If you’re looking for a tea that tastes like an exotic summer abroad with pops of vibrant, floral flavor, passionflower tea is the tea for you. This tea is just as delicious and rare-tasting as the name suggests, and is a favorite of millions of tea drinkers around the world. We don’t just love it for the taste — we also can’t get enough of the health benefits that are available with every cup. We know you won’t be able to either, so let’s get into what makes this tea so special.

Where did passionflower tea come from?

Passionflower and its edible uses became popular with teas and tinctures that originated in Aztec culture, as the ancient people used it to help their own with a variety of illnesses and discomforts. They quickly experimented and learned about the wide array of benefits in this deep violet flower, and were able to access it up and down the towns of the Southwestern United States.

In the present day, it’s actually used in medicine in several foreign countries, more specifically in Egypt, Germany, France, and others throughout Europe and the East. There it is recognized as a pharmacological medication due to its potency and wide range of use, where it is used more liberally. In the West, the flower has a more widespread medicinal reputation among natural practitioners and alternative health professionals.

What does passionflower tea taste like?

Passionflower tea is known for its rich, deep, and floral taste, with an intensely sweet aftertaste that fades to a light feel on your tongue. It’s often paired with citrusy flavors in mixed drinks and teas, such as lemonade. These can brighten and amplify its flavor profile, making it more complex and the perfect pairing for your next outdoor dinner party or date night. If you’re looking to deepen this type of flavor in your next batch of tea, passionflower has been known to perform and brew exceptionally well with the cold brew process.

Health benefits of passionflower tea

There are a variety of health benefits that you can enjoy with every cup of passionflower tea. We’ve listed the top four below.

Before we get into this list, we do want to reiterate that if you plan on using the tea for medicinal purposes, it’s best to contact your health professional and work with them to determine if the tea is the right choice for your unique health situation.

1. Fewer symptoms of menopause and hormonal dysregulation

Passionflower tea has been known to trigger the brain to release a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, otherwise known as GABA. This has been found to have an increasing role in our gut health and elasticity, and also to have a direct effect on hormonal stability, regulation, and health, among other effects. This is a fantastic way to naturally support your body’s ability to regulate itself naturally.

2. Lessened instances of anxiety and depression

It’s been a hard few years. If you’re finding yourself struggling to rest at night, or dealing with instances of anxiety and depression, passionflower tea may be able to help give you a natural aid. The way it works is also centered around the brain’s release of GABA, which is known to slow the rate of transmissions between neurons. This can give you a light sedative effect without causing any sort of harm to your body’s natural rhythms and processes.

3. Enhanced sleep quality and duration

If you’re looking for better sleep and want a change from the regular routine of chamomile blends, passionflower tea can help. Used by the ancient Aztecs for this very purpose, passionflower is powered by phytonutrients, which can have an emotionally and neurologically calming effect on the brain. This, paired with its ability to calm your brain through the use of GABA, can help you sink into a rejuvenating, restful sleep.

4. Preventative wellness benefits for neurological health

Passionflower can also be used in your preventative health journey and is very valuable for its contributions to your neurological health. This beautiful bud works to prevent and mitigate the risk of debilitating neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It does this through natural compounds in the flower, known as vitexin, apigenin, and chrysin.

We hope that this guide was able to give you additional insight into the benefits that passionflower can provide beyond its delicious, crisp taste and gorgeous appearance on the vine.

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Tea Health Benefits

Tea Wellness: Sipping for Healthy, Glowing Skin

February 28, 2022

Beautiful skin starts from within. From the inside, out. While we can spend hundreds of dollars on all types of different skincare, we first need to make sure that what’s going on inside is clean, too. When your insides are working properly, it really shows on the outside. The skin is the largest organ in the body and we need to make sure we are treating it with love and care! In case you didn’t know, tea is PACKED with antioxidants which are essential for a natural glow. Antioxidants help in restoring your natural, even and brighter skin tone by clearing the free radicals and inhibiting the enzymes responsible for the over-production of melanin. In this article, we will be breaking down what teas can help support that healthy glow.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is anti-septic and anti-bacterial. It encourages cell turnover, gets rid of dead skin cells and makes your skin stay consistently glowing. Peppermint tea is especially great if you suffer from hormonal acne like many of us do. The menthol in peppermint tea can help improve hormonal imbalances and slow the production of excess sebum on the skin. It’s also rich in vitamin E which helps in visibly slowing down of the aging process due to excessive sun exposure.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is a huge contender for helping with anti-aging! It has high levels of antioxidants, zinc, and alpha-hydroxy acids that give it the ability to prevent and reverse fat loss under the skin, and protects against harmful free radicals that we are faced with day to day. Rooibos is also high in zinc which has been proven to help correct hormonal imbalances that trigger acne.

Chamomile Tea

When you feel stressed, your sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline into your body. Cortisol causes increased oil production in your skin glands, which can lead to clogged pores, acne breakouts and can result in physical manifestations such as wrinkles. Chamomile tea has been used for its stress relieving qualities for a long, long time. It is ideal for inducing feelings of calm, rest, and encouraging better sleep which are critical for allowing the skin to naturally heal and imperative for glowing skin. Stress can disrupt your sleeping patterns. A good nights rest is crucial for your skin to repair and rejuvenate itself!

Green Tea

We can’t have a list of best teas for your sink without mentioning the GOAT of antioxidant filled teas. “Is green tea good for your skin?” is a question that’s often Googled, and the answer is yes! For one, green tea is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a highly potent antioxidant, which research has shown helps reduce oiliness of the skin and improve acne. It’s also extremely high antioxidant content also protects the skin against UV damage.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is helpful in the process of digestion and aids in gut health. Good digestion equals good skin. Studies show that people who have a healthier gut microbiota may have a healthier fatty acid profile in their skin, meaning their skin is more moisturized, hydrated and protected. Good digestion means toxins are discarded regularly from your body bringing freshness and a radiant glow to your skin.

All of these teas above have amazing health and skin benefits. Even if you only incorporate one or two of these teas for glowing skin into your daily diet, you should notice the wondrous effects they can bring to your skin! Along with sipping on tea for glowing skin, we also researched the best skincare products that use tea as their main ingredient. You can read all about tea infused skincare!

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Tea Health Benefits

5 Delicious Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea

January 31, 2022

Peppermint tea has been enjoyed for centuries and was made popular thanks to its clean, crisp, and refreshing taste. Beyond its deliciousness, peppermint tea offers a variety of health benefits to drinkers — elevating the drink in an entirely new way. In this blog post, we explore the history of peppermint tea, and review five health benefits of peppermint tea that you can enjoy with every cup!

The history of peppermint tea

Peppermint tea has had a long-disputed origin story but was first recognized and used widely as medicine by the ancient colonizations of Egypt and the Middle East. This was dated and discovered in pyramids hailing from 1000 B.C., showing the extensive and rich history of the use of peppermint in dishes, oils, tinctures, and medicinal brews.

Throughout the past few centuries, the teas and blends were traded widely throughout Europe and its surrounding regions, often comprised of a blend of different mints and herbs. The popularity of the drink has continued to rise to the present day, with peppermint often being featured in a variety of blends that you can find in grocery stores and cafes.

The drink is widely enjoyed, and with good reason — you can enjoy a variety of health benefits in each earthy, sweet, and herbaceous sip.

Enjoying health benefits of peppermint tea

To fully enjoy the health benefits that you can gain from peppermint tea, you can drink 1-2 cups consistently per day. Consistency is key for long-term gain, although you may feel more immediate relief from certain ailments with a single cup. Below, we’ve compiled five of the main health benefits that you can enjoy from peppermint tea.

1. Stress reduction

Peppermint tea is one of the top teas that you can drink for stress relief and relaxation. Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as an inhalant that can help you enhance your natural resiliency and stress management processes. If you’re experiencing anxiety, peppermint tea or an infused blend can help to quiet your nerves and give you a mood boost. Plus, the overall sensory experience of tea is very soothing, as you shift your focus from the feelings to the warmth, comfort, and delicious taste of the blend.

2. Headache relief

In the peppermint leaves, there are plenty of natural oils such as menthol that provide relief from intense headaches and pains, specifically tension headaches. You can use a variety of types of peppermint products, such as oils and teas, to naturally ease tension headaches. This is due to the natural ability of the herb to promote circulation and its cooling properties. Peppermint tea can also be used in conjunction with other peppermint products, such as oils and poultices, for a more amplified effect in the body.

3. Muscle relaxant

Muscular aches and pains can happen for a variety of reasons, and often send people reaching for the medicine cabinet just to find an ounce of relief. With peppermint tea, you can enjoy the benefits that you would experience with a traditional muscle relaxant — without any of the unpleasant side effects. The oils and compounds in peppermint naturally promote circulation and relaxation, making peppermint tea an incredibly effective agent for muscular relaxation. Whether you’re experiencing lower back cramps, sore arm muscles, or menstrual cramps, peppermint tea can help.

4. Respiratory tract support

Peppermint is especially soothing and helpful for those who struggle with respiratory illness or chronic conditions — such as asthma or bronchitis. The soothing elements in the plant and tea can work similarly to eucalyptus, dilating your airways and helping the oxygen to flow freely through your respiratory system. The pleasant aroma is also strong enough to help clear your sinuses as you sip. Peppermint tea is also beneficial for those who may need additional lubrication in their lungs, and can help to clear a variety of virulent respiratory infections. The anti-inflammatory properties in the tea make it an excellent bronchodilator and can help soothe the rest of your system in the event of a flare or an infection.

5. Gastrointestinal relief

We’ve saved the best for last. Peppermint tea has been used for decades to promote a healthy GI system and can soothe a variety of stomach complaints. Most famously, the tea can easily ease the spasming of an empty or too-full stomach, help those with spasmodic disorders and nausea, as well as reduce instances of bloat. If you struggle with acid reflux, however, you may want to go to a gentler, less-strong tea or oil, such as fennel. Peppermint has a particularly strong flavor that can worsen pre-existing gastric reflux and heartburn.

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Tea Health Benefits

Top 5 Teas For Respiratory Health

January 12, 2022

As cold and flu season nears, many are turning to preventative wellness measures to stay healthy throughout the season. One of the best ways to do that is by enjoying a steaming cup of tea – which can be incredibly healing to your respiratory health. In this article, we’ll be covering the top five teas that support your respiratory health and examining the function and breakdown of each.

Medicinal Properties of Teas

Teas have been seen as medicine for centuries and were used to alleviate a variety of ailments and symptoms. While many at the time disregarded these remedies as folk medicine, science has since proven the efficacy of plants when it comes to addressing physical symptoms in the body. In-depth studies around botany, herbology, and biology have led us to the conclusion that teas can be a valuable asset in our search for the best preventative medicine.

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea has a cloyingly sweet taste that is very unique and is matched with an equally earthen flavor that sits on the tongue with every sip. While this flavor profile can be intense, the benefits are equally diverse and can be very helpful to maintaining your health. Licorice tea has been found to offer antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which serve as your first line of defense after cold and flu exposure. The respiratory benefits begin with the first sip, as it has been known to soothe the most irritated throats, utilizing its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re struggling with difficulty breathing due to a cold or longer-term ailment such as bronchitis, this can work with your body to naturally calm and open your irritated respiratory system.

Eucalyptus Tea

Eucalyptus tea has been known to be especially effective, having naturally calming effects and boasting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These occur organically in the blend thanks to tannins and flavonoids that can naturally support your health. Eucalyptus tea may come as a standalone brew, or you may enjoy the benefits of a eucalyptus-infused tea blend that is designed to give you total body support. No matter your choice, this tea is a great pick if you’re dealing with a cold, the flu, or simply congestion that comes along with the change of weather.

Green Tea

Green tea has been hailed as a health support for centuries and goes back to the ancient Eastern world – where it was one of the main treatments given and enjoyed daily for preventative wellness. Beyond the naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties of the tea, it also contains approximately 28 milligrams of caffeine, which can naturally open and relax inflamed airways. Its fresh and vibrant taste only adds to the appeal that this versatile tea offers to any drinker, and has helped it rise to some of the topmost commonly enjoyed blends around the globe.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a powerful blend that can help you heal the next time that you feel under the weather. Besides its fresh, zingy taste, you can expect the crisp brew to not only soothe inflammation throughout your body but also fight actively against the virus or bacteria attacking the body. Ginger is a known detoxifier and is delicious to sip on any time of day – soothing the gut and regulating your body’s natural systems as it supports your immune system for natural health.

Fennel Tea

Fennel tea is a delicious and complex brew that can give you the fresh herbal taste that so many crave – while providing invaluable health benefits for every system in your body. Within the respiratory system, fennel acts as a powerful expectorant that can help you dislodge painful mucus blocks that are plugging your airways. This tea is especially beneficial during allergy season or if you suffer from recurring illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. It also holds anti-inflammatory properties and is naturally soothing to the body, acting as a powerful cellular detoxification agent that can help you heal quickly and build resilience.

Brew The Perfect Health Supporting Blend Today

If you’re looking to harness the natural healing benefits of tea, you may start by going to your local loose-leaf store or grocery supply. While these blends are delicious alone, you may also find mixed infusions packaged under respiratory care blends or packages. In either case, you can rest assured that you’re protecting and assisting your body through its natural processes and contributing to your preventative health – so that you can thrive all season long.

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Tea Health Benefits

5 Teas to Lower Your Blood Pressure

January 4, 2022

The use of tea for medicinal purposes is nearly as old as time. For many, tea served as a common cure for a variety of physical symptoms and conditions, ranging from anxiety to chronic inflammation, to hypertension. Nearly 47% of United States adults struggle with chronic or acute hypertension, which may or may not be controlled through medication or lifestyle changes. Tea can be a powerful aid to those who need to lower their blood pressure and cannot tolerate medication. In this article, we explore 5 teas that you can enjoy to lower your blood pressure.

How Can Teas Lower Your Blood Pressure?

Tea can lower your blood pressure by negating any negative environmental influences, such as stress, or other contributors to hypertension. You can enjoy these teas and tonics in any form, either hot and freshly brewed, or cooled in the fridge as you would drink an iced tea. While these are designed to be used for medicinal purposes, you can choose to dress up your drink with healing raw honey or other fruity additions for taste enhancement.

1. Hibiscus Tea

This fruity and fun blend can help you lower your blood pressure with consistent use. You won’t find it difficult to enjoy this delicious tea, giving you exotic, light, and floral flavors with each sip. This is complemented nicely with the tartness that comes into play with the aftertaste, making each drink a new, well-rounded experience. You can enjoy this tea any time of day without ill effect, reaping the benefits of the powerhouse antioxidants and anti-cancer polyphenols. For best enjoyment and benefit, consume one to two cups daily.

2. Greek Mountain Tea

This tea may be lesser-known, but gives some of the most potent benefits of any blend. One of the biggest benefits of Greek Mountain Tea is its ability to cause vasodilation, reducing the muscular strain on the heart and helping drinkers to enjoy lower blood pressure. While it does have earthen undertones, the main flavor highlights are floral, sweet, and mild compared to other, more aggressive tasting teas.

3. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric is one of the most well-known herbs thanks to its prevalence in Eastern medicine and traditions. Tea drinkers in the US are welcoming the familiar golden blend and enjoying a variety of benefits. Beyond reducing your blood pressure, Tumeric offers the extra preventative benefit of arterial protection and regulation, helping you to maintain healthy blood pressure levels into the future. This tea has a full-bodied, rich flavor that can be herbaceous and spicy with just a hint of sweetness in the afternotes. The spice is not overpowering and pairs well with other common additions of lemon or ginger.

4. Chamomile Tea

That’s right — chamomile tea isn’t just known for its soothing benefits and anti-anxiety properties. This tea can have a direct effect on your blood pressure and health, working preventatively to support your other symptoms. If hypertension is commonly caused due to anxiety, stress, or other related mental health difficulties, chamomile blends can work to soothe and comfort, directly lowering your blood pressure and helping you to build resiliency to stress. The soft, sweet, vanilla-like notes of the tea make this a favorite around the world and is especially delicious before bed or in times of stress. You can pair this tea well with honey or lemon and enjoy it in a whole new way.

5. Rooibos Tea

Also known as bush tea or red bush tea, rooibos tea has been incorporated into blends for centuries for its variety of health benefits. This tea won’t help to just soothe you — it actually goes to work on a molecular level. Your blood vessels constrict under stress or due to other factors via the ACE enzyme. This causes your heart to pump harder and your symptoms to appear. Rooibos breaks down and actively stops these enzymes from binding to their reactionary sites, helping to support your body’s natural processes. Bush tea has a milder flavor and has a sweet and savory profile. Some have likened the taste to a light, nutty, and spiced flavor as you would expect from a holiday blend. You can enjoy rooibos as a standalone tea or blended with other elements such as vanilla or citrus.

What To Know Before Using Blood-Pressure Lowering Tea Blends

Natural ways of addressing common medical ailments are becoming mainstream thanks to the rise of complementary and alternative medical practices. While teas are a great resource to help your body support itself naturally and through low-risk methods, it is important to consult your physician or pharmacist before incorporating them into your daily routine.

Teas are a low-risk way to help support your body but may interact with other medications or treatment options. Always speak with your provider to ensure that you can enjoy these blends safely.

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Tea Health Benefits

Why You Should Start Drinking Tea Now

May 22, 2017

The ceremony of tea evokes a grey-haired British grandmother with Victorian fine silver teapots; porcelain cups hand-painted with violets; Emily Post place settings on rustic William and Mary style antique chestnut dining tables; doilies on every available surface; dusty heirlooms and curio cabinets – you get the picture. And, certainly, the British have owned the domain of tea—originally discovered by China—since the 1600s and the advent of the East India Company.

And yet tea is not just for elderly grandmothers or the British. The beverage appeals to all generations and cultures. What’s more, the beverage provides certain health benefits as we age. These can only be fully taken advantage of by creating your tea drinking habit sooner rather than later. Here’s our guide to getting the most from your tea. The fountain of youth may very well be flowing with tea.

Detoxification

In the article, “Anti-Aging Research Brief” published by the Academy of Anti-Aging, tea is brimming with antioxidant polyphenols called catechins, flavonols, theaflavins and thearubigins. Antioxidants ultimately help prevent cancerous cells from forming, repair damage to cells and to protect blood vessel walls from free radicals. The article cites a study from King’s College in London that compared a group of black tea drinkers with a group of coffee drinkers. Scientists studied the health of both groups after one year, and found “that the tea drinkers’ risk of a heart attack approached half of the non-tea drinkers.” The scientists speculated “that tea’s beneficial cardio effects are due to the beverage’s large amounts of flavonoids.”

So what teas contain the highest levels of antioxidants? Many brands you can purchase at large chain grocery stores contain high levels of antioxidants, including Celestial Seasonings Green Tea, with 217 milligrams (mg) of antioxidants, Lipton Green Tea (201 mg), Bigelow Darjeeling Blend (164 mg). Surprisingly, a few brands of popular teas have absolutely no antioxidant content, including Lipton Lemon Iced Tea and Snapple Peach Iced Tea.

Prevent Cancer

Studies have shown that caffeine and consuming two cups of coffee can “harden a person’s arteries for several hours afterwards. This puts extra pressure on the heart, thus increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.” Further, “it is evident today that many of our cancers are related to a dominance of estrogen. In a world flooded with estrogen and estrogen-like compounds, it is important for our bodies to have as low of an estrogen load as possible.” So drinking more than two cups of coffee can increase estrogen and lead to breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Reducing caffeine is integral to cancer prevention, and replacing coffee with tea can easily half caffeine consumption and decrease the risk of cancer.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Teas, especially the variety of green tea known as matcha, can help regulate blood sugar. Matcha is actually powdered green tea leaves prepared with boiled water and a bamboo whisk, and is known to stabilize metabolism for those with hypo- or hyperglycemic maladies. Taking an active role in regulating blood sugar at a younger age can help prevent complications down the road.

Weight Loss

An ingredient in matcha tea, EGCG, boosts metabolism. While matcha has a high level of caffeine and may contribute to higher estrogen levels, which will help you burn fat and lose weight.

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