Drinking tea has always been a part of our daily routine, whether it was a matcha latte for breakfast, a sweet Texas tea at lunch or chamomile tea at night, the Avants love tea! At that time, we were drinking tea because it was a delicious alternative to water, especially when we loaded them with sugar and other sweeteners. Despite the added sugar and calories, we did receive some benefits from consuming this beverage. For starters, green tea is a powerful antioxidant known to improve heart health, increase metabolism, and prevent cancer. Black tea can prevent the formation of kidney stones, eliminate free radicals, and boost the immune system. While chamomile tea has the potential to lower blood sugar, treat cold symptoms and help with sleep and relaxation. Over the last few months, we started exploring other herbal teas outside of the usual ones found in the grocery store aisles. Below is a breakdown of our favorite herbal teas and tea blends; the good, the bad and the benefits.
Pau D ‘Arco
We first discovered Pau D ‘Arco while researching different approaches to treat Ken’s multiple sclerosis symptoms. Pau D’ Arco tea is made from the inner bark of Tabebuia trees indigenous to South and Central America. This tea is said to have antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. Pau D ‘Arco is good for targeting candida overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) due the antifungal characteristics. Candida overgrowth is common in people with chronic illnesses and symptoms can include headache, digestive issues, urinary tract and yeast infections. If left untreated an overgrowth of candida can weaken the immune system and lead to other serious diseases. Ken drinks 6-8 oz of this tea 3 times a day and describes it has having a mild earthy taste. Consuming this tea on a regular basis has decreased his sugar cravings significantly. When purchasing pau d’ arco make sure the product contains the inner bark only, which contains a majority of medicinal properties.
Queen’s Love
Queen’s Love is an herbal blend that claims to nourish the female reproductive tract with high amounts of iron, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. This blend reduces inflammation and clears mucus from the reproductive system, allowing oxygen to flow freely. Queen’s Love contains the following herbs, Damiana, Cardo Santo, Sarsaparilla, Pau D’Arco, and Yarrow. Damiana is an ancient aphrodisiac that is known for boosting libido or sex drive. Additionally, damiana can be used to treat depression and anxiety. Cardo Santo (Blessed Thistle) is an herb known to treat and prevent bacterial infections, like bacteria vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infections (UTI). Sarsaparilla is an herb that has been shown to increase urine output, which can decrease recurring urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Yarrow is an herb with many health benefits, it is used in this blend to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. Pau D’Arco bark can reduce candida overgrowth, thereby lowering risk for yeast infections. This tea has a woody, palatable flavor. I drink 8-10 oz of this tea once a week and daily during the week of my cycle. It has tremendously reduced my PMS symptoms and also shortened my cycle from 5 to 3 days.
Love for the Lymph
Love for the Lymph tea is an alkaline blend of herbs that keep the lymphatic system running like a well-oiled machine. The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body. This herbal blend contains Cleavers, Red Clover, Yarrow, Stinging Nettle and Mullein. The cleavers herb is known to have diuretic properties and can promote the movement of fluid throughout the body. The stinging nettle plant has a variety of nutrients that act as antioxidants when ingested. This is beneficial for defending the body against damage from free radicals. Stinging nettle may also lower blood pressure and control blood sugar. Yarrow is a herb known to improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Research has shown that mullein can reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and aid in treating respiratory conditions. Red clover is thought to improve bone health and reduce cancer risk. We drink 8-10 oz of this tea blend every morning to jump start our day. This tea has a mild earthy flavor and gives us the same energy boost as a cup of coffee, while providing an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Elderberry
Elderberry is commonly used plant know for its antiviral properties. This tiny berry is full of antioxidants which support the immune system and can help remove inflammation from the body. Elderberry can be prepared in several ways, from teas, to syrups, to gummy vitamins. Elderberry is one of our go-to herbal remedies during cold and flu season. The syrup is easy to prepare and great to have on hand for those occasional sniffles. Elderberry tea and syrup can have a bitter taste by itself, but can easily be sweetened with honey, agave or the sweetener of your choice.
These four herbal teas are the favorites in our current rotation, because they each offer promising health benefits. Other than the fact, you cannot find these powerful tea blends in your local grocery stores, I really do not have anything bad to say about them. These herbs can be purchased separately online or at local farmers markets. However, we were lucky enough to find a company online that offers a variety of herbal tea blends for whatever ails you. Upful Blends is a black female owned business that offers high quality, 100% non-irradiated natural herbs and supplements. In addition to the tea, she also sells herbal supplements. We love taking these high energy herbal blends and supplements because they help create an alkaline environment, which helps prevent disease formation and progression. We enjoy the products from this company so much that we decided to become brand ambassadors! So, if you are ready to jumpstart your wellness journey, check out any of the products from the Upful Blends line and tell them we sent you!
This post is based off products that work for us and our family. Always consult with a doctor or physician prior to starting any new supplements or herbs to ensure that it does not interfere with your current regime.
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