Written By Madeleine Jennings
Ditch the coffee for a change, and discover the healing benefits of herbal teas instead.
Having a coffee first thing in the morning is automatic for many of us. This habit often repeats itself in the afternoon, when three-thirty-itis hits and you crave a ‘pick-me-up’ to see you through the rest of your day. It’s hard to believe that Australia was once a nation of tea drinkers – many people had never even heard of a ‘cup of cino’ before Italy won the FIFA World Cup in 1982. The establishment of our cafe lifestyle and a love of coffee has since been embraced all over the nation, and coffee is now a byword for socialising with friends or taking a leisurely break.
But, like anything, too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing. The caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant so, as well as increasing alertness and boosting mood, it stops you from winding down and relaxing. Excessive amounts of coffee accelerates heart rate, raises blood pressure, makes you agitated and anxious, and causes insomnia.
To avoid this scenario, limit yourself to one or two coffees in the morning, or swap coffee for a herbal tea instead. There is now a huge range of herbal teas available, with numerous accompanying health benefits, so you’re sure to find one that suits you to a tee.
Calming & sedative Chamomile, spearmint, lemon grass, linden flower, passion flower, valerian, vervain.
Anti-nausea Ginger root, peppermint, turmeric, star anise.
Digestive soother Peppermint, spearmint, turmeric, Manuka honey, ginger root, fennel seeds, star anise, galangal, marshmallow root, cardamom seeds, dandelion root.
Anti-bacterial Manuka honey, garlic, licorice root.
Anti-inflammatory Turmeric, licorice root, willow bark, galangal, cardamom seeds, hemp seeds, slippery elm.
Cold and flu symptom reliever Ginger root, lemon myrtle, star anise, marshmallow root, elderflower, olive leaf, garlic.
Detoxifier Dandelion root, cardamom seeds, fennel seeds, Turmeric.
Energy booster Licorice root, ginseng, withania, rhodiola.
