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Tea is one of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in the world and it sits comfortably in the top 5 of the consumer favorites; tea was first cultivated and brewed in China, and so this is its natural birthplace! Behind China, India is the second largest tea producer and exporter, and around 70% of what is produced is actually consumed in India too! The benefits of tea and herbal teas have been documented for healing, calming, rejuvenating, and medicinal properties, such as Green Tea. Tea has an extensive history, and it was the British that first introduced it to India in the 1920’s. With so many tea varieties it’s a challenge to narrow down choices; here is a small glimpse of the bigger tea picture! Firstly, here are some interesting Tea facts!

Types of Tea, Teasim, and the ritual of Tea!

Tea originates from the Camellia Sinensis plant, which is native to Asia, and there are 4 main types of tea, black tea, white tea, green tea, and oolong tea; the main differences occurring through where the tea is grown and how it’s processed. Black and Green tea is a potent antioxidant, rich in polyphenols that are found in plant food sources; also known as phytochemicals which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. There are many ongoing studies that link the benefits of consuming tea that may support the fight against certain cancers and other diseases, such as heart disease, and degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Tea is known in India and some other cultures as ‘Chai’, and is a blend of black tea with warming spices; in recent years chai tea has become more popular commercially with different variations available in beverage outlets, and tea culture seems to be gaining ground with coffee culture. Chai is the national drink in India and they are the largest tea consumers; Chai actually translates to ‘tea’ in Hindu (‘chaay’).  The United Kingdom is the second highest tea consumer at around 60 billion cups per year and over 80% of the tea consumed in America is iced tea!

Teaism (a ritualized form of making tea) originated in Asian culture and is a tea ceremony from ancient and medieval times; it translates to ‘way of tea’ in Japanese or ‘art of tea’ in Chinese. When the tea ceremony is understood and practiced to foster harmony in humanity, promote harmony with nature, discipline the mind, quiet the heart, and attain the purity of enlightenment, the art of tea becomes "teaism" (source Wikipedia). 

“When tea becomes a ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things,” said French novelist and professor of philosophy Muriel Barbery, author of “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” book. Tea is a time to ‘turn off’ and reconnect; it can foster a calming effect and is a way to achieve balance and be present in the moment! 

The rise of Herbal Teas! 

A cup of tea usually contains less than half the caffeine of a cup of coffee; over recent years there have been more consumers opting for a ‘caffeine free’ option to their tea, and this is where herbal teas have become more popular as a healthy alternative to reduce caffeine intake.  Herbal teas are infused with fruits and herbs and are not from the Camellia sinensis plant (Camellia sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea); they are a great way to hydrate while adding extra nutrients into your diet. Fruit and Herbal selections are full of taste and you can always mix and match to create delicious flavors that suit your taste buds. Each herbal infusion will also support or assist you according to the benefits of that particular herb or fruit, such as Chamomile known to calm and relax, or Rosehip, which is vitamin C rich. In this way, herbal infusions can really help you tailor to your individual needs! Herbal teas are a great way to cleanse, connect with your body, and create a sense of calm without the caffeine rushes; harmonizing and supporting your body to be at its best.

Women, in particular, have been looking at ways to reduce their caffeine intake through consuming more herbal infusions; opting for a more natural approach to balancing out busy lives managing work, family, and other commitments. There have also been many herbal remedies linked to supporting fertility, and many women now, either by choice or circumstance, are choosing to start families later in life, just as their fertility levels begin to decline. Kathryn Flynn, author of “Cooking for Fertility and Founder of FertileFoods” understands the need to support greater wellness and balance for women and her herbal range of teas (Moontime Teas) aim to do just that! 

Moontime Tea Organic Tea for Women’s Health and Wellness

Moontime Tea was born from a desire to select the purest organic ingredients to create intentional blends that harmonize your body, mind, and spirit and replenish women at each phase of their lives. They source 100 % organic herbs and do their best to source herbs locally. 

About Moontime Tea Blends 

•    Certified 100% organic by CCOF
•    Naturally caffeine free and packed in convenient, chlorine free, tea bags
•    Each pouch contains 30 tea bags
•    Moontime tea encourages a soothing ritual of connecting with the natural cycles of the moon, the earth, and your body.

Organic Fertility Tea

Moontime Tea’s Fertility Blend supports reproductive function with a replenishing and delicious blend of organic red raspberry, organic nettles, organic peppermint and organic red clover. 

Organic Cleanse Tea

Moontime tea’s Cleanse Blend supports a clear and vital system with a detoxifying blend of organic spearmint, organic peppermint, organic fenugreek seed, organic burdock root, organic dandelion root and organic milk thistle. 

Organic Whole Health Tea

Moontime Tea's Whole Health Blend addresses systemic inflammation from the body's response to stress with a supportive blend of organic turmeric, organic ginger root, organic lemon peel and organic stevia leaf. 

Organic Libido Tea

Moontime Tea's Libido Blend supports a woman's vitality with a pleasure filled blend of delicious organic honeybush, organic cinnamon, organic damiana, organic ashwagandha root, organic nettle leaf, organic rose petals, and organic vanilla extract. 

Kathryn states, “The simple act of sipping a cup of tea gives us an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves and reflect on what we really need.  Often we reach for caffeine or sugar to keep us going when what we are really doing is borrowing from our essence and feeling more stress instead of recharging our batteries with relaxation or sleep”.  

Would you like a cup of tea? Please visit Moontime Tea to delve deeper into their selection.

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