It is no secret that herbal teas are one of the healthiest drinks for our mind and bodies. Not only can they support our health goals, the act of having a cup of tea is both relaxing and soothing. Did you know that at different times of the day are some brews are more suitable than others. We spoke to accredited nutritionist, Monique Cormack, from Planet Organic for her tips on which herbal tea to drink and when.
First Thing in the Morning – Green Tea
Made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same as your common black tea, green tea does contain caffeine so we recommend sipping it in the morning hours. A cup of green tea will provide around 20-25mg of caffeine. The great thing about green tea though is that as well as caffeine, it contains antioxidants, polyphenols and other nutrients such as l-theanine.
Green tea can help to support skin health, brain function, maintain blood glucose levels and reduce inflammation. The combination of l-theanine with the small amount of caffeine in green tea provides more stable energy than coffee, increasing productivity. This makes it the ideal morning brew. Maybe it is time to ditch the morning coffee and go green instead!
Mid-morning Pick Me Up – Spearmint Tea
Mid-morning is the best time to sip on spearmint tea due to its ability to assist with digestion and improve memory. (-)-Carvone, a compound found in spearmint tea, reduces spasms in the intestines which can ease feelings of digestive discomfort. The high amount of polyphenols, including rosmarinic acid, has been shown in some preliminary research to increase memory. This minty tea is great if you’re needing a little bit of hormonal support too.
Feeling bloated after lunch? Beat the bloat by reaching for tea containing fennel leaves will support your digestion and help you get through the afternoon. The anti-inflammatory properties of fennel tea can help reduce abdominal distension, trapped gas, cramping and other painful stomach concerns. Some people feel a bit drowsy after drinking fennel tea because of its calming properties. If you tend to feel a little fatigued after lunch, other fantastic digestive tonics include the more uplifting ginger and peppermint, or try them blended together with lemongrass for a beautiful flavour.
Mid-afternoon Treat – Rooibos Tea
Swap your coffee for an afternoon rooibos tea so you can enjoy a hot cuppa yet still be able to sleep at night. With lots of antioxidants rooibos tea has many benefits such as reducing the risk of illnesses including cardiovascular disease and cancer, along with improving blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. We never said you couldn’t have it with a biscuit though!
Rooibos also makes a fantastic base for chai tea. Prepared with milk and a dash of honey, a rooibos chai will see you rise above the afternoon slump.
Night – Chamomile Tea
The old faithful! Chamomile tea is a beautiful and relaxing brew to have at bedtime. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to specific receptors in the brain to promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia. It also reduces inflammation, reduces symptoms of the common cold, alleviates digestive symptoms such as gas or upset tummy and reduces anxiety. What a multitasker!
So next time, before you reach for another cup of coffee or the same old tea you have every day, think about what a range of different teas could do for you.
It is no secret that herbal teas are one of the healthiest drinks for our mind and bodies. Not only can they support our health goals, the act of having a cup of tea is both relaxing and soothing. Did you know that at different times of the day are some brews are more suitable than others. We spoke to accredited nutritionist, Monique Cormack, from Planet Organic for her tips on which herbal tea to drink and when.
First Thing in the Morning – Green Tea
Made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same as your common black tea, green tea does contain caffeine so we recommend sipping it in the morning hours. A cup of green tea will provide around 20-25mg of caffeine.
The great thing about green tea though is that as well as caffeine, it contains antioxidants, polyphenols and other nutrients such as l-theanine.
Green tea can help to support skin health, brain function, maintain blood glucose levels and reduce inflammation. The combination of l-theanine with the small amount of caffeine in green tea provides more stable energy than coffee, increasing productivity. This makes it the ideal morning brew. Maybe it is time to ditch the morning coffee and go green instead!
Mid-morning Pick Me Up – Spearmint Tea
Mid-morning is the best time to sip on spearmint tea due to its ability to assist with digestion and improve memory. (-)-Carvone, a compound found in spearmint tea, reduces spasms in the intestines which can ease feelings of digestive discomfort. The high amount of polyphenols, including rosmarinic acid, has been shown in some preliminary research to increase memory. This minty tea is great if you’re needing a little bit of hormonal support too.
After Lunch – Fennel Tea
Feeling bloated after lunch? Beat the bloat by reaching for tea containing fennel leaves will support your digestion and help you get through the afternoon. The anti-inflammatory properties of fennel tea can help reduce abdominal distension, trapped gas, cramping and other painful stomach concerns. Some people feel a bit drowsy after drinking fennel tea because of its calming properties. If you tend to feel a little fatigued after lunch, other fantastic digestive tonics include the more uplifting ginger and peppermint, or try them blended together with lemongrass for a beautiful flavour.
Mid-afternoon Treat – Rooibos Tea
Swap your coffee for an afternoon rooibos tea so you can enjoy a hot cuppa yet still be able to sleep at night. With lots of antioxidants rooibos tea has many benefits such as reducing the risk of illnesses including cardiovascular disease and cancer, along with improving blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. We never said you couldn’t have it with a biscuit though!
Rooibos also makes a fantastic base for chai tea. Prepared with milk and a dash of honey, a rooibos chai will see you rise above the afternoon slump.
Night – Chamomile Tea
The old faithful! Chamomile tea is a beautiful and relaxing brew to have at bedtime. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to specific receptors in the brain to promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia. It also reduces inflammation, reduces symptoms of the common cold, alleviates digestive symptoms such as gas or upset tummy and reduces anxiety. What a multitasker!
So next time, before you reach for another cup of coffee or the same old tea you have every day, think about what a range of different teas could do for you.
Want more? Click here for our Immunity Tea recipe.
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