Today there is Renaissance of traditional herbal medicine and herbal preparations including drinking herbal tea as an alternative to drinking infused tea bags or coffee. Some people may think that they cannot start day without a cup of morning coffee, but maybe it’s time to introduce herbal tea into your life.
A cup of hibiscus tea, a good source of Vitamin C
Tea and herbal teas have a rich spectrum of flavours to explore and enjoy. Sensual and healthy, herbal teas have unique ways of bringing new balance, energy and calm into our busy days. Imagine drinking an uplifting cup of herbal tea in the morning which will give you a gentle kick start for the day and will not dehydrate you like coffee does. Drinking herbal tea in a beautiful china cup is medicine not only for the body, but also for the soul. It allows us to pause just for few minutes and reflect; it is almost a form of a meditation.
- Health benefits of herbal teas
Herbal teas were one of the first means of treatment for human kind. Traditional use and scientific research suggests that teas and herbs can be beneficial in preventing heart disease, arthritis, dental cavities, insomnia, anxiety, fluid retention, immunity, as well as protecting against certain cancers, just to mention a few. As a matter of fact you can have herbal tea for any medical condition, or drink it just for the pleasure of it. All taste delicious.
In my clinic, the treatment of some medical conditions is often complemented with the treatment of an appropriate herbal tea for better results. This was the initial reason why I developed Vitality teas. Drinking a cup of quality herbal tea is a grounding experience, which we all need in our busy lives.
- Energy Levels
Caffeine from tea, especially green tea, gives a steady high instead of coffee’s big peaks then plunges. The Green Sencha Tea contains exclusively green tea, while Uplifting Tea and Revitalising Tea contain a green Sencha tea blended with herbs. All these 3 herbal teas contain a low caffeine level thus stimulation, tea’s gentle push, keeps you going for hours.
- No calories
Vitality herbal teas are so aromatic that they do not require any milk or sugar. Green tea also helps burn fat and increases metabolism so you have a delicious new secret diet.
- Tea choices
Black, green and white teas all come from the same plant; the difference is in the processing time. Herbals consist of meditational plants, and occasionally mixing in tea. Black is historically the most familiar of all teas, black tea is also the most processed of the three tea categories. It is also the most robust in flavour and contains the highest caffeine levels, but still less than coffee.
5. Green tea choices
Certified organic Sencha Green Tea
Now part of mainstream western culture, green tea is less processed and contains a high level of health-enhancing polyphenols. Bursting with antioxidants, the delicate flavour of green tea more closely resembles the tea leaf in its natural state. Green tea is anti aging, lowers blood pleasure, reduces inflammation, promotes healthy gums and stimulates digestion.
White tea is gaining popularity with its subtle flavours and beauty benefits. White tea is the least processed of all the three teas. Generally only air dried, white tea also contains the least caffeine.
- Unlimited herbal teas choices
Traditional herbal teas are blended energetically, ie. they make your body warm or cool. In Vitality Herbal Teas we use a variety of other plants and their different parts – from leaves, flowers and dried roots, to berries.
Eight steps to making that perfect pot of herbal tea
- Choose a suitable teapot. Subtle and delicate teas are best brewed in a fine china or ceramic pot.
- Wash out your kettle regularly. Constant use can build up mineral deposits, giving an ‘off’ taste to any water you use.
- Use filtered water or alkaline water. Never boil water twice as the oxygen will disappear leaving a ‘flat’ tasting tea.
- Warm the teapot with hot water then tip it away. The steam left in the pot will bring out the life and flavour of the tea.
- Add tea according to taste – in most cases 1 teaspoon per cup should do.
- Heat the water according to the type of tea. Black teas need water that has just reached boiling point then immediately taken off heat. For green tea and herbals heat water to around 70 or 80 degrees.
- Steep tea for as long as appropriate. Green teas should only brew around 2 minutes to avoid bitterness. Herbal teas should be infused for a minimum 5-10 minutes. The longer infusion the stronger the tea will taste.
- Depending on the weather or the purpose of the tea, it should be drunk hot, at a room temperature, or as iced tea. For instance Revitalising Tea or Echinacea Winter Rescue Tea should be drunk as hot as possible, while Balancing Tea at a room temperature.
Using the highest quality certified organic produce, the Healing Remedies have created ten Vitality Teas blends to celebrate every moment of your life and the season.
About the Author
Danuta Hulajko is a holistic practitioner, international speaker, founder of the DH Natural Medicine Clinic and www.healingremedies.com.au , Sydney. She specialises in anti-aging, autoimmunity and heavy metals chelation. For more information please go to our website. You can follow Danuta Hulajko work, events, seminars, expos, latest health research, her health tips and advice on Facebook and LinkedIn. Danuta has developed each of the Vitality herbal teas and the Healing Remedies skin products.
