I’m a big tea drinker, for me nothing is more relaxing that settling down with a cup of Earl Grey.
I find a hectic day at the office can be broken up nicely by indulging in a hot cuppa and taking ten minutes to unwind.
Stepping out of the office, boiling the kettle, breathing in the bergamot scent… all these familiar actions are sub-conscious stress relievers that help me refocus my mind.
We’re continually being told about the benefits of tea – whether you’re looking for an antioxidant hit, something to ease digestion or a full body cleanse.
The question is, which type of tea should you be drinking – and when?
To dose up on antioxidants…
You need: green or silver tip white tea.
Green tea is packed with polyphenols – powerful antioxidants that reduce the formation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are known to play a role in ageing and a variety of diseases, so these antioxidants help protect our cells from damage.
Sourced from China’s Fujian mountains – the ‘champagne’ of tea regions, silver tip white tea is the purest, least processed variety of tea. Hand plucked as tender spring buds, silver tip white tea is also very low in caffeine and contains the highest level of antioxidants obtainable from a drink.
To aid digestion…
You need: fresh mint or liquorice tea.
Fresh mint and liquorice tea are both considered stomach healers.
Mint tea is a relaxant that calms the intestinal muscles.
It’s great for reducing abdominal gas and bloating, and it has also been shown to relieve the symptoms of IBS.
Liquorice tea can also be very soothing to the digestive tract. As well as offering relief from indigestion, it is often used to treat more severe complaints – such as stomach ulcers, colic and chronic gastritis.
For detoxing or cleansing…
You need: nettle or dandelion tea.
Teas like nettle or dandelion can help to remove toxins from the body.
As a diuretic, nettle tea is effective at helping the body to release unnecessary levels of uric acid, as well as bacteria.
It also works to dilute kidney stones, purify the blood and wash metabolic and toxic wastes from the system.
As well as providing anti-inflammatory relief to the body, nettle tea is a powerful antihistamine.
This makes it a great tonic for neutralising sensitive skin conditions, such as urticaria.
Dandelion tea is a fabulous system cleanser as it helps to detox your liver. It also acts as a skin purifier – so naturally we’re stocked up in the Pai kitchen!
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