I have an addiction. Or maybe let’s call it a habit… either way I can’t stay away from it and I certainly can’t stop buying it. Yes I know what it does to my health but even just the scent of it is enough to make me to turn for another. So let’s just put it out there on the table: I am addicted to herbal teas. There I said it.

My cupboards are overflowing with them. My work desk draws are filled with them and my handbag has at least 4 different options floating around. I’d say I have a cup at least every hour if there is a kettle in reach and it has gotten even worse since I had to say good bye to coffee while on my 28 day cleanse.

But this isn’t a bad habit to have, apart from overcrowding my pantry and bench space… the benefits of consuming herbal teas are many.

So why drink tea?

Fellow tea lover and Mayde Tea creator  (www.maydetea.com) Kate M Dalton, shares that ‘herbal tea is by far one of the most affordable, effective and beautiful ways to embrace the healing benefits of medicinal plants. Many years of research has proven the glory of herbs, after all herbal medicine has been used for many years – even more than medicine.’

The benefits of Herbal Tea:

Kate who has also studied naturopathy, nutrition and herbal medicine explains that it is important to be consuming organic and medicinal grade herbs, such as;

  • Chamomile, passionflower and lavender are all great for anxiety relief, to induce sleep and to overall calm the nervous system.
  • Licorice root tea is great for sugar cravings. It has been scientifically proven to balance blood sugar levels and tame cravings for sweets. It also acts as a mucous membrane protective, so is very beneficial for conditions such as ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease.
  • Peppermint, dandelion root and fennel teas all calm and assist the digestive system, encourage the liver detoxifying process and act as a perfect post meal digestive.

natures cuppa pic

First let’s get down to the basics; you can make herbals teas either via infusion and decoctions to get the actual medicinal benefits.

Infusion:

Tea is made by pouring water onto the herb, and allowing it to steep. You could also do this with cold water and is usually steeped for about eight hours.

Infusions are usually used for soft plant material like soft leaves, soft stems and flowers. If

the plant contains a lot of volatile components, a lid should be left on the vessel while the infusion is steeping to entrap the volatile components. So if you are making a cup of peppermint tea, put a cover over the cup so that the volatile oils condense on the lid and fall back into the water. Or if you are making an infusion of thyme tea to be used for a gargle for your sore throat, you would do the same.

Decoctions:

Decoctions are ideal for woody herbal matter such as roots, bark and seeds. All you have to do is simmer the herb in water for 15-20 minutes and then they are ready to go!

Another Australian brand doing good things is Queen B (www.queenbofficial.com) who brew herbal teas to help you live a beautiful life whether that be a blend which encourages clear skin (my fave) or even detoxing teas that helps rid the body of any unwanted toxins, increase the metabolic rate, and suppressing appetite, to ultimately aid in weight loss. What’s not to love?!

Princess & the Tea - Restful SleepBeauty Queen Tea

Brands I’m Lovin:

Mayde Tea www.maydetea.com

Queen B tea www.queenbofficial.com

Ovvio (love the dandelion chia) www.ovvioorganics.com.au

T2 (especially the ‘gorgeous Geisha’ green tea) www.t2tea.com

Natures Cuppa (organic goodness) www.naturescuppa.com

Pukka Teas (the whole range is amazing) www.pukkaherbs.com.au/teas

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Would love for you to share your favourite tea below too.

Lee x