In my research for this post, I discovered that there is something called a “Tea Master,” a.k.a. someone with expert knowledge of tea. Upon further digging, I did find out that there are some certifications out there, but the consensus is that nothing quite compares to downright experience. So from this perspective, I am basically a tea master!
When I started to think about my own tea journey, I came to realize that tea is probably more consistent in my life than coffee. For one, I drink WAY more tea than coffee everyday.
I’ll be honest, my tea journey began and still in some ways continues purely out of taste. I enjoy the taste of tea. From peppermint to chamomile to turmeric, I love the ritual, the dimension and the deliciousness that is a mug of tea. It’s why I started having a cup before bed in my early teens and continue this tradition today. But, as I got older and more into learning about health and wellness, I actually discovered that tea is more than just a flavored cup of water—it can actually support your overall well-being. From sleep to digestion to stress, herbal tea has properties that just about everyone can benefit from. It’s at that point that I moved away from popcorn-flavored artificial teas (you know what I’m talking about!) to quality, organic teas from companies like Traditional Medicinals.
Much like past Intro Guides, in today’s post I’m going to walk you through some of the benefits of herbal teas and why you might consider adding them to your routine. I’m also sharing my 3 Teas, 3 Weeks experience and what I took away from it. Let’s jump in…
What is Herbal Tea?
Did you know that herbal tea is not technically “tea” because it doesn’t originate from the Camellia sinensis plant (the basis for black, green, white and oolong tea)? However, many of us continue to use the word tea for herbal varieties because of the similarities and the common blending of Camellia sinensis and herbal teas. Technically, herbal teas are referred to as “tisanes,” and are the leaves, stems, bark, roots or any portion of a plant infused in water to release its benefits. Steeping the herbs in hot water brings out the plants’ benefits by releasing the active ingredients, such as essential oils.
A quick tip I learned from Traditional Medicinals is to let the tea steep before drinking. When you first soak the tea bag in water, cover it with a top or a small plate to help ensure that the essential oils of the herbs stay in your cup and help you get every bit of that plant power.
One thing I want to stress is quality. The benefits of herbal tea depend entirely on the quality of the ingredients used. First thing to look for is if there are any additives for flavoring. Herbal tea does not need added flavoring to be delicious. Next is reaching for organic tea whenever possible (some herbs are difficult to find or grow organically), I personally love Traditional Medicinals because almost all of their teas are organic and are sourced sustainably. Traditional Medicinals specifically seeks out medicinal-grade plants from ethical trading partnerships for their teas.
What are the Benefits of Herbal Tea?
Just as each plant has its own benefit(s), so does herbal tea. This is especially true when it comes to blending various herbs for targeted purposes. The list could go on forever in terms of the benefits of different herbal teas, but today I’m going to focus on a couple that are worth researching and trying out for yourself:
Peppermint tea – Soothes your belly and alleviates digestive discomfort.*
Chamomile tea – Calms your nerves and supports healthy digestion.* Try Chamomile with Lavender for additional stress-relieving herbs.*
Red Clover tea – Traditionally used in herbal medicine for skin health.*
Roasted Dandelion Root tea – Gets the juices flowing (if you know what I mean!) & gently stimulates the liver and supports healthy digestion.* Has a coffee taste to it for those looking for a caffeine-free morning beverage.
Turmeric with Meadowsweet & Ginger tea – Supports a healthy response to inflammation associated with an active lifestyle.*
Lemon Balm tea – Gentle and mildly relaxing, relieves tension and relieves occasional indigestion.*
Nettle Leaf tea – Supports joint health and overall wellness.*
There are hundreds of herbs out there so this is just an intro to a few. I encourage you to do your own research and chat with an herbalist and/or medical practitioner before changing up your routine.
3 Teas | 3 Weeks – My Experience
Something that Traditional Medicinals encouraged me to try out is their 3 Teas, 3 Weeks experience. It’s as simple as it sounds: you drink 3 teas a day for 3 weeks! As a tea aficionado, this is basically my dream experience…I mean there technically wasn’t a prize at the end nor was it a competition in any way, but if it were, I would have won!
Before kicking off my 3 week experience, I picked the 3 teas I wanted to focus on and incorporate into my existing wellness routines. Two of them were simple because I drink them almost every day anyway: Peppermint tea and Chamomile with Lavender tea. The third tea was new for me, which is exactly why I picked it: Roasted Dandelion Root tea.
For ease and simplicity’s sake, I decided I’d be consistent in when I drank each tea. During breakfast I had Roasted Dandelion Root, after lunch I had Peppermint and post-dinner the Chamomile with Lavender. I intentionally picked these times because of the benefits of each tea. I also wanted to focus on ritual and slowing down while making and sipping my tea. We all move wayyyy too fast and these small pockets of calm have come to be my favorite.
So how do I feel now? Great! I loved my daily ritual and found that it really centered me over the weeks. I’m proud to say I consistently enjoyed each tea 3 times a day for 3 weeks! I noticed my stress levels are down and (besides the night I wolfed down 14 pieces of sushi in 5 minutes) my digestion has been great. I will say that it took some getting used to with the Roasted Dandelion Root tea, but I loved knowing I was giving my liver some extra support.*
Moving forward, I am definitely keeping up my post-lunch Peppermint tea and pre-sleep Chamomile with Lavender tea. They’re two tiny rituals I can incorporate throughout my day that bring more mindfulness and joy to my life. The added benefits are just the cherries on top!
Want to try out 3 Teas, 3 Weeks for yourself? Visit here to order two Traditional Medicinals teas and get your third tea free!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Traditional Medicinals. While I was compensated for my time, all opinions expressed are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who help make THM possible!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Do you drink herbal tea? What are your go-tos?
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