Brews for winter wellness

After a balmy autumn, winter is well and truly upon us, making it the perfect time to brew a pot or cup of warming tea.

Drinking herbal tea is a wonderful way to "supplement" a healthy diet and provide hydration. Certain herbal combinations may also provide gentle healthy effects to keep ailments at bay.

Scientific research on Echinacea has proven its virtues in improving defence against cold and flu. Vitamin C also remains a popular means to enhancing immunity. As a basic preventative, it is advisable for an adult to supplement 1000mg (conveniently avaialable in 2 x Healtheries Acerola tablets) of vitamin C daily. Drinking tea containing additional vitamin C, even if in small quantities, provides an ideal layering effect, particularly when your demands are higher, such as in acute flu cases, whereby vitamin C requirements could easily more than treble. Healtheries Be Well is a tea specifically designed for winter wellness; the ingredients of which include 44% Echinacea, as well as lemon, rosehip and vitamin C.

The antioxidant activity of spices is well researched, particularly in India, where it was discovered that certain spices do possess antioxidant activity that can be applied for reduction of lipid peroxidation in biological systems. This means they can decrease free radical activity from "stealing" electrons from the lipids (fats) in our cell membranes, resulting in cell damage (& hence increased susceptibility to disease). These activities were retained even after boiling for 30minutes at 100 degrees, and those found highest in antioxidant virtues were Cloves, Cinnamon, Pepper and Ginger in descending order of activity ¹.

Healtheries Be Spicy tea delivers 58% of warming root herbs (Cinnamon, Ginger root, Nutmeg, Black pepper and Cloves), on a decaffeinated black tea base. Cinnamon bark is one of the oldest known spices and is very warming. The health benefits of Ginger root have been recognised for thousands of years. Ginger may improve blood circulation and studies also suggest that it exerts anti-microbial and anti-viral effects. Nutmeg, like cinnamon, has a slight astringent effect helping constrict tissue secretions, resulting in it being a mild expectorant. Cloves are high in volatile oils that exert themselves in a slight anaesthetic action. Finally, Black Pepper is much more than a dinner table condiment, showing significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, important for fighting disease and maintaining overall good health.

Liquorice root (the herb, not the confectionary) is a traditional expectorant herb which also supports adrenal gland activity (for energy). Lemongrass is high in vitamin C and essential oils and when drunk as a tea is mildly invigorating. In the case of blocked sinuses you may lean towards a tea which is astringent or tart in nature, and Healtheries Be Soothed tea is the ideal choice. A delightfully fresh, naturally sweet and tangy combination of Ginger, Liquorice and Lemongrass, this cuppa will warm the digestive tract, and offer subtle relief of mucous congestion, particularly if combined with appropriate nutritional/medical supplementation. It can be enjoyed "straight" or mixed with honey, for added soothing effects on a sore, dry and raspy throat.

This winter don't overlook the humble cuppa for warmth and wellness.

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