Oh for the love of teas!
I admit it – I am a tea junkie. Hot or cold – green tea, white tea,
berry or chamomile – I love it all! I also love the fact that in
addition to tasting so good and warming us up over the winter months,
herbal teas offer numerous health benefits that have been used
medicinally for centuries.
If you are new to the tea world, I would highly recommend visiting your
local health food store, your grocery store or your local tea shop to
start sampling. From sweet to soothing, mint and vanilla – there is a
flavor to fit every mood and every palate. And….if you are already
thinking of holiday gift giving – a natural herbal tea basket with
eco-friendly mugs is a thoughtful and healthy gift to give.
For starters, the teas I would recommend stocking in your pantry include:
Berry teas – So many of us get a hankering sweet tooth at 3pm or
after dinner. Instead of diving into the white refined sugar (which
causes weight gain, belly fat, and more fatigue), I highly recommend
sampling some raspberry, strawberry or blueberry tea. I find sweet
herbal teas, such as berry tea, the perfect (and calorie-free)
indulgence to quiet down your sugary tooth and to ward off eating excess
(and unwanted) calories.
Cinnamon tea – A hot cup of cinnamon tea is the perfect option on
a winter’s night. Cinnamon has shown several health benefits including
balancing blood sugar and lowering cholesterol. Cinnamon also contains
anti-oxidants called polyphenols that help to boost your immune system
and repair free radical damage (cellular damage). You can make cinnamon
tea by breaking cinnamon sticks into several pieces and allowing them to
steep in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes or, by mixing cinnamon
powder with hot water and stirring.
Peppermint tea – In addition to its refreshing flavor, peppermint
tea has long been used for its digestive health benefits. Whether it is
soothing an irritable bowel or aiding with digestion, this is the
perfect tea to enjoy after eating a meal. Peppermint tea has also been
shown to help with mental focus, reduction of anxiety and for relieving
bad breath!
Chamomile tea – This tea has long been known for its relaxing
properties. Chamomile is the perfect tea to consume when you are looking
to unwind after a long day or if you are having trouble falling asleep.
It’s also known to act as a muscle relaxer, making it a great option to
help relieve menstrual cramps or muscle tension.
Licorice tea – Licorice root is known for its soothing properties
and can be taken to help reduce stomach ulcer inflammation. It has also
been known to help reduce headaches and help clear up a sore throat.
Adding some warm rice or almond milk with agave syrup to licorice tea is
also a delicious option.
Do you have a nutrition or weight loss question you would like answered? I would love to hear from you at drjoey@drjoey.com!
Twitter: @drjoeyshulman
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