With so many delicious herbal blends on the market, how do you decide on what to fill your pretty little teacup with? Well, as it turns out, we can benefit from different types of tea depending on what time of the day it is.
Specific ingredients promote various health properties and have different effects on our bodies. Makes sense, huh?
So without further ado, here’s some advice from the experts on how to choose your next brew—we promise your insides will love you for it!
Upon rising
Your first tea of the day should do the following: stimulate digestion, encourage easy bowel flow, increase mental performance and provide energy. The best option? Green tea. “If you’re going to have any caffeine, now’s the time to do it,” says Melbourne naturopath and Amodrn expert Reece Carter. “Cortisol should be at its highest first thing in the morning so getting your day started with this is ideal. And with only a quarter of the caffeine content, it’s a much better option than coffee. Plus, the catechins will give your immune system some good support and provide antioxidant effects throughout the body.”
Mid-morning
“This one should also aid digestion before lunch,” advises Naturopath Anthia Koullouros of OVViO Organics in Sydney’s Paddington. Think green tea or the root of ginger, dandelion, and licorice. You can also try adding some freshly grated ginger to any of these for a little extra oomph. “It’s warming and improves circulation, giving you a kind of nourishing and revitalising energy that caffeine can’t give,” shares Reece.
After lunch
Key ingredients include licorice, fennel, and cinnamon which will all help with the after-effects of a big meal. To minimise bloating or tummy discomfort, aim for “herbs that assist in digestion – quintessential aperitifs or digestifs,” says Anthia. “Cinnamon, as well as aiding digestion, helps balance blood sugar levels which may prevent that mid-afternoon slump later on,” advises Reece.
Afternoon tea
Is the afternoon slump getting you good? We hear you! This time of the day calls for something that “encourages energy, focus, and clarity” Anthia advises. “Peppermint is known as the scholar’s herb because of the volatile oils that it contains give a short-term boost of blood circulation to the brain, clearing the head and giving you the kind of focus that is usually waning by mid-afternoon,” shares Reece.
Before bed
“Passionflower is probably the best because it combines both sedative and anti-anxiety effects. It’s believed that passionflower acts on the body’s own GABA receptors to induce calm and relaxation,” says Reece. “Chamomile and lemon balm are other great, gentle options to switch off; or you can go to the heavier duty hypnotics like hops and valerian root before bed. If overthinking and anxious thoughts are getting in the way of you falling asleep, add a nice anti-anxiety herb like lavender.”
