botanical & herbal teas
Organic Allergy Tonic Botanical Tea
In the range of botanical tea ingredients, two stood out for their potential to help soothe allergy symptoms - South African Rooibos and Yerba Mate from South America. By adding lemon balm and ginger to help create a flavorful profile, we think our Allergy Tonic is a functional tea that will also please your palate.
Yerba Mate, like Rooibos "tea" is increasing in popularity in the U.S. and with this increase is coming more vigorous studies about traditionally perceived health benefits. Yerba Mate has the potential to reduce the severity of some allergies and hay fever. A recent study by Linda Rector Page, N.D., Ph.D., notes that Yerba Mate is helpful for opening respiratory passages to overcome allergy symptoms.
Rooibos tea has a compound that is also found in Yerba Mate:
"In the plant kingdom, 2 particular bioflavonoids among thousands are commonly found, these being quercetin and rutin. The concentration of quercetin and rutin are very high in rooibos tea. With the help of these bioflavonoids, plants are able to ward of environmental stress, and studies are showing that they can do the same for humans.
According to this article, quercetin has a strong stabilization effect in cell membranes, which prevents them from spilling the absorbed allergy symptom causing histamine to flow in to the bloodstream, basically acting the same as an OTC antihistamine like Benadryl. Instead of letting the allergen into the body to cause allergic reactions, these bioflavonoids block them. However, unlike, OTC antihistamines, there are no side effects with tea.
Many of the major tea companies are touting the health benefits of their products, including the anti- oxidants and anti-aging benefits. We don’t hear too much of the allergy relief they can provide, but it’s there. With any product, the most benefit will be derived from the purest product, so while a jar of processed, sugary green tea may taste yummy, you may not get much allergy relief from it. Studies are not clear how much tea is necessary for relief, but it’s better to try to stay with the real than the highly processed, instant form."
Our whole leaf, organic yerba mate and rooibos blended with lemon balm and ginger can help support your allergy relief program while adding anti-oxidants and bioflavonoids for general good health.
HOW TO PREPARE THE TEA: Heat water (filtered if possible) to boiling 212˚F, let it cool slightly to around 190˚F and add one full teaspoon loose leaf tea per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Infuse the loose tea for 3-4 minutes, depending on taste preference. Drink plain or add a little honey to sweeten the tea. Note: Yerba Mate does contain caffeine.
INGREDIENTS: Organic South African Rooibos, roasted yerba mate, lemon balm and ginger.
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