I would like to use this post to further discuss the magic of making your own loose-leaf tea blends. Tea has many health benefits, and virtually no calories, so it’s a win-win! I make a blend a couple times a day and put them into my heart-shaped tea ball with a slice of lemon (lemon has been found to increase the antioxidant power of the tea-video) It keeps me hydrated and relaxed (for the most part) all day!
I purchase my tea online at amazon.com. I am an Amazon Prime member so I get 2-day free shipping. It is currently only $79 a year and has other benefits as well. Additionally if you are a student (or at least have an active school email address) you get a 6 month free trial and half price on the prime subscription. I use their services a lot so it is worth it to me, but they also offer free standard shipping on many items.
Organic Imperial Green Tea-Green tea (or any tea from the tea plant) is one of the few natural sources of Theanine, an amino acid that helps you produce relaxing alpha brain waves. The little caffeine boost is nice too! I use about half a teaspoon in my blend. My boyfriend likes to cold-brew his tea. We use an extra-large tea ball and fill it about halfway with tea leaves. Just put in a container full of water in the fridge for a few hours. A few lemon slices are nice as well. See the following videos from my favorite nutritionist, Dr. Gregor, at nutritionfacts.org:
Organic Chamomile-Chamomile tea has many amazing health benefits. It has been shown to help in the prevention of breast cancer and aids in digestion, relaxation and sleep. One caution would be that it has been shown, due to blood-thinning properties, to be potentially unsafe during pregnancy. I usually use about one and one-half teaspoons twice a day. Some relevant videos:
Chamomile Tea May Not Be Safe During Pregnancy
Organic Lavender-I have suffered from anxiety for a while and apparently nothing is better to ease your stress then lavender! A study found that lavender was as effective as Valium for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, without the side effects. I use about half a teaspoon twice a day and have definitely noticed positive changes.
Organic Peppermint Leaf-Rich in antioxidants, peppermint is a wonderful way to add a refreshing flavor to your tea blend. See the following video for more information about antioxidants in a pinch!
Organic Hibiscus Flowers-I saved the best for last! Not only does hibiscus have a bright, citrusy flavor that is delicious on its own, it also was found to have the highest antioxidant level of any herbal/tea beverage. I use about half a teaspoon twice a day. It is also possible to cold brew the tea, a potentially healthier way to brew. Relevant video:
There are many wonderful teas, leaves and flowers to try. Do some research and find a blend that works for you! Thanks for reading! ❤ 🙂
Cindy's Place 