Everything You Need To Know About Trendy Herbal Tea Blends
These premium herbs are worth a try
Written by Jessica Fields
Long gone are the days of oat milk lattes in the morning and triple espressos after lunch. With wellness at an all-time high, these days it’s all about how your morning beverage can benefit your overall health. You’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding collagen, and have probably seen how adding a few scoops of the powder to your coffee can enhance your beauty routine from the inside out. But just like collagen, herbal teas can promote and support your physical health, skin and beauty, and even mental health. Today herbs and spices like turmeric, cbd, and adaptogens are not only trending but are at the forefront of premium blend teas and for good reason. Trust us, these blends are not your grandmother’s tea. While there are benefits to the old herbal standbys like peppermint tea, these premium ingredients are not only making tea a luxury experience, they’re benefiting your body in more ways than one.
When it comes to natural ingredients it always helps to have background knowledge and a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with. Here, we’ve gathered all you need to know about premium herbs taking over shelves today, and why you should give them a try.
Herbs Vs. Spices
Common knowledge tells us that both herbs and spices come from plants, but there is a prominent difference between the two. Herbs are the fleshy part of a plant, think leaves, flowers and stems, and tend to have a subtle taste due to their young growth. Though they can be dried for a bolder flavor, herbs are generally fresh and refer to the “green” part of plants. Spices on the other hand are mostly dried and come from the root, stalk, or seed.
Adaptogens Vs. Antioxidants
These two words have been quite the trend over the last few years so knowing the difference between them is key. Adaptogens are medicinal herbs known to reduce stress levels and promote overall balance. Antioxidants also aid in stress relief, more specifically to oxidative stress caused by damaging molecules like free radicals.
Natural ingredients to know
Elderberry
Elderberries are considered a true superfood and antioxidant. They are a great source of vitamins and minerals and can provide sufficient sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron to your current diet. As far health benefits go, elderberries are quite rich, containing powerful anthocyanins that reduce inflammation, and aid in immunity health and joint and muscle pain. However due to natural indigestible toxin elderberries should not be consumed raw or uncooked. Which is why commercially produced teas and tea blends are your best option. The dried berries add a tart and earthy for a complex aspect. The Elderberry Wellness Tea blend from The Elderberry Co. is a personal favorite of mine. It has complementing organic ingredients like hibiscus flower, orange peel and lemongrass for a taste that is juicy and delicious.
Turmeric
You may already know the many benefits turmeric can bring to your health by just adding the spice to foods and veggies. But it has just as ample properties in the form of tea as it does a seasoning. The active ingredient in turmeric is known as curcumin and it holds potent medicinal properties. Such as being a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Though a powerful compound, curcumin is poorly absorbed in the bloodstream and needs the help of other natural ingredients to be absorbed properly. Enter turmeric tea, a mixture of spices and natural substances perfectly blended together to enhance the benefits of curcumin. Much like the spice, turmeric adds earthy tones that are comforting, zesty and warm. Look to familiar pairings like fresh citrus, honey and a dash of milk to make this tea extra special.
Tulsi
Tulsi is an adaptogen that has recently gained popularity due to its long standing history with Ayurveda. The herb is packed with a number of healthy compounds that can help reduce stress and balance neurochemical levels. It’s also a powerful antioxidant and has both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. But along with its physical aids, tulsi can provide relief for anxiety, fatigue, and existing breathing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. So it’s no wonder as to why this herb gained the nickname holy basil and, why it’s one of the best representations of a holistic lifestyle approach rooted in whole-body wellness. To tea blends, tulsi brings a spiced peppery flavor that has just a hint of citrus and floral aroma. Look for blends with spices and flowers like cardamom and rose.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaves have deep roots in women’s health due to their known benefits during pregnancy and labor. But the leaves this tea makes can provide just as much benefit for those of us who are without balance during that time of the month. It's known to aid in relief for common PMS symptoms as well as providing your body with a number of vitamins and minerals. The leaves are rich in antioxidants and tannins that keep the taste balanced and not too bitter.
Ashwagandha
Classified as an adaptogen, ashwagandha is another medicinal herb rooted in Ayurveda and known to have a plethora of health benefits. Benefits like boosting immunity, reducing stress and anxiety, and reducing inflammation. Its long history of healing is attributed to a high concentration of natural occurring steroids called withanolides. In its most popular form, the dry root is used to remedy ailments and promote well-being. However, as good as this herb is for your body the taste tends to be bitter and harsh. But when combined with other herbs in tea, this herb can be easily enjoyed. Try blending with spices like cardamom, cloves and ginger, and a touch of honey for sweetness.
CBD
Cannabidiol, aka CBD, is in no way new to buzzy wellness trends but its use in tea is. CBD is one of the many active ingredients in cannabis derived from the hemp plant. Over the years research has shown that use of CBD can have positive health effects, so its addition to tea comes at no surprise. For example when blended with a flowering chamomile or calendula tea, it has a calming and relaxing effect that can aid in anxiety relief and help soothe for better sleep. Get Frigg’s Beauty Rest Tea perfectly combines CBD with ingredients like catnip, lemon verbena and nutmeg for a taste that is pleasant and smooth.
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