HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

Many consider tea to be one of the most potent health drinks ever. Various medical studies have shown that tea offers a multitude of health benefits. The most heralded being its rich natural source of antioxidants, which is linked to cancer prevention. Besides reducing certain types of cancer, these natural antioxidants are believed to boost immunity to disease, lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Green tea is rich in vitamins and minerals from iron, sodium and potassium to vitamins such as carotene, A, D, B1, B2, and C (which helps prevent colds and flu and boosts the immune system). In addition, green tea also has fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay. Matcha (freshly ground Japanese green tea) contains the highest levels of vitamins and minerals because you are actually ingesting the tealeaves (as opposed to drinking an infusion of leaves with water). Matcha does, however, have more caffeine than a traditional cup of tea (or coffee for that matter).

Green tea is generally considered to be the healthiest type of tea because it is unfermented. Black teas also contain many of the same valuable health benefits but since it is fermented, many of the natural polyphenols are converted. Green tea is thought to have as much as 90% more polyphenols than black tea.

A cup of black tea contains about one third of the caffeine in a cup of coffee, while green tea contains only one fifth of the caffeine.

Renew and revitalize your body, mind and spirit effortlessly, adding to a healthier lifestyle one cup at a time.

Grown in the rugged slopes of the Western Cape Mountains in South Africa, Rooibos is harvested from the needle-like leaves and stems of the plant Aspalathus linearis. Also known as “Red Bush”, Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and has a soothing effect on the body. Although its caffeine free, Rooibos produces a full-bodied, golden red brew making it a wonderful drink for those who wish to decrease their caffeine intake.

Rooibos is a rich source of anti-oxidants which has been linked to the prevention of cancer. Anti-oxidants attack free-radicals thus limiting their ability to damage the immune system and contribute to ageing.

Rooibos contains potassium and copper, which are good for metabolism, as well as calcium, manganese and fluoride, which are essential for the development of strong teeth and bones. Rooibos is also good for the skin as it contains zinc and alpha-hydroxy. In addition, rooibos is a good source of vitamin C to help boost the immune system.

Proclaimed by the South American Indians as the "drink of the gods", yerba mate has been an important part their daily diet for 100's of years. Yerba maté is thought to promote good health, vitality and longevity, and is used to fight fatigue, detoxify the body, and to treat illness and disease.

For 2000 years, Ginseng has been the single most valued herb in Oriental medicine. The ancient Chinese called it “Jen Shen” (meaning “man root”) because of its resemblance to human limbs. It was believed that continuous use of the root would lead to longevity, as well as cure many ailments, and was recommended for “enlightening the mind and increasing wisdom”.

Ginsenosides are the natural chemicals found in the root, to which Ginseng owes its healing value. Scientists use the term adaptogen to describe the effects of North American Ginseng, which, if taken regularly, it is said to: aid digestion and respiration; counteract fatigue without the negative effects of caffeine; counteract damage done by physical and emotional stress; stimulate the immune system; stimulate appetite. Ginseng is also found to be a natural aphrodisiac.

Over the centuries, people have derived both pleasure and benefit from plants from a long process involving intuition and a lot of trial and error. These experiments have led to the development of modern medicine. It is believed that prehistoric people watched animals and what plants they ate and avoided. These people were also attracted to aromatic plants whose volatile oils not only smelled nice, but also contained many healing properties.

By combining pure herbs, flowers, spices and herbs with an inspired hand of tradition, the herbal infusions are to be enjoyed for their pure taste or restorative properties. Herbs are also caffeine free because they are not actual tealeaves.