Sarah W.Tea is not new. It is not a new flavor of energy drink, or a rad new flavor at your favorite local coffee shop. For one thing, the tea we are talking about in this article is usually uncaffeinated, and for another, tea is quite old. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, people have been drinking tea for thousands of years — potentially as early as 2700 BC, in China. More than just being an ancient beverage, tea is also consumed by billions of people around the world, from Turkey and Kenya to Great Britain and Germany.
However, there is one variety of tea that is not quite like the others. While the majority of tea comes from the leaves of the tea plant, camellia sinensis, herbal tea comes from soaking other leaves, dried fruits, herbs, flowers, or spices in hot water. This delicious, healthy form of tea may not pack the same energizing caffeine as some other blends, but it does have tangible benefits you are not going to want to miss out on. For one thing, according to WebMD, depending on the contents of your herbal tea, you may benefit from a soothed stomach, less anxiety, and an easier time falling asleep, among other nice perks. Now that you know why herbal teas are so great, here are some of my favorites, and why I love to drink them!
Yellow & Blue from Harney & Sons
Perhaps the most beautiful herbal tea I know of — both inside and outside the packaging — the Yellow & Blue herbal blend from Harney & Sons is packed with a medley of yellow chamomile, as well as blue lavender and cornflowers. Chamomile is known to help combat an upset stomach, anxiety, and even insomnia. Lavender, on the other hand, can also help aid you in feeling more rested, and getting to sleep at night.
While the brew was conjured up some fifteen years ago, given its unique color scheme, it has become an ode to the blue and yellow flag of the brave nation of Ukraine; in fact, 10% of the sale proceeds go to Razom for Ukraine, a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the beleaguered country in light of the illegal Russian invasion. When you drink this tea, you can be sure you are imbibing a light, aromatic, and prominent brew, while also helping out people in need.
Super Fruit Tea from teapigs
A decidedly fruitier blend than the previous entrant on this list, the Super Fruit Tea — made from hibiscus, elderberries, cranberries, blueberries, and more — is a tart, delicious drink that goes down easy. With many of the same ingredients as a delicious fruit smoothie, you can bet that this tea blend is among my favorites for taste alone. However, it has more going for it than just a fruity aroma and flavor, as the ingredients are packed with healthy qualities that make them a useful inclusion to any daily diet.
For example, hibiscus contains lots of antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. Elderberries can help support a strong immune system. Cranberries help promote cardiac health and reduce inflammation. Every ingredient in the Super Fruit Tea blend seems to be super, bringing lots of actual health perks that leave your body feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Plus, it tastes great!
Organic African Nectar from Mighty Leaf
Mighty Leaf, a tea manufacturer hailing from our northern neighbor Canada, has made a rich, delicious, tropical blend that has got me wanting to plan a vacation to South Africa. The Organic African Nectar herbal tea, made from rooibos, hibiscus, and marigold blossoms, has a sweet taste that leaves you feeling calm and relaxed. Rooibos, which can help with inflammation, digestion, and blood circulation, are a great caffeine-free additive that makes teas that are both great-tasting and great for you.
Conclusion
If you are looking to branch out from your go-to caffeinated teas for something decidedly more natural and uncaffeinated, then you are going to want to try out herbal tea. My go-to brands are (I promise you) delicious, and have health benefits that greatly outweigh your natural desire to start your morning with a buzz. If you are looking for other lifestyle, wellness, or nutritional blogs, please check out our other posts for more!
