TYPES OF TEA

types-of-tea

Now that we have explored the 4 types of “true” teas, we present the other major tea category: herbal teas. There are hundreds of herbal teas, made from the flowers, spices, leaves or fruits from a variety of plants.

HERBAL TEA

WHAT IS HERBAL TEA?
As mentioned earlier, all true tea comes from the tea plant, called the Camellia sinensis. Any leaf, root, fruit or flower that comes from a plant other than the tea plant is considered an herbal tea. For example, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, spice blends, yerba maté and rooibos (which is often called red tea) are considered herbal teas because they do not come from the traditional tea plant.

Since ancient times, herbal teas have been revered for their bountiful health benefits and therapeutic properties. Herbal teas are often used to aid digestion, sooth allergies, relieve headaches and reduce stress. Continuing this tradition, Octavia’s herbal teas are based on ancient homeopathic remedies, blended with quality, flavor and health benefits in mind.

It is important to distingish between different types of herbal tea, since health benefits and flavor vary dramatically from plant to plant.

Most herbal teas are naturally 100% caffeine-free, making them an excellent choice for evening or for people with caffeine-sensitivities.

Here are just a few of our most popular herbal tea categories:

Dried Flowers Used to Make Herbal Tea herbal-teas-wood-box
All true tea comes from the same plant, called the Camellia sinensis. Any leaf, root, fruit or flower that comes from a plant other than the tea plant is considered an herbal tea.

RED TEA (ROOIBOS)

FLAVOR AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Also called red tea because of its vibrant, ruby red color, rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) has a sweet, full-bodied flavor without a trace of bitterness. As a source of powerful antioxidants, rooibos strengthens the body’s immune system and contains some of the highest known levels of anti-aging properties of any plant on earth. Rooibos is also known for its ability to replenish the skin from the inside out, promote restful sleep, and aid relaxation.

Prized for its antioxidant content, this therapeutic herbal tea offers many of the same health promoting properties as green tea, but is 100% caffeine-free, making it an ideal choice for evening or for people sensitive to caffeine. Like green tea, the potent antioxidants in rooibos are believed to fight aging, cancer and heart disease, support the immune system and improve overall health. Rooibos is also recommended for allergies, headaches, skin health, stress, anxiety or insomnia.

ORIGIN: SOUTH AFRICA
Because rooibos comes from a shrub-like botanical known as the “African Red Bush” (rather than the traditional tea plant), rooibos is considered an herbal tea. Originally consumed by the Koi and San nomadic tribes of South Africa, rooibos grows in a small area near Cape Town with no alternative source available anywhere in the world. It is no surprise that such a remarkable, nutritious herb comes from this region. With one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, the Western Cape of South Africa has 3 times as many species per square meter than the South American rainforest.

In an area so rich in biodiversity, it is especially critical to protect the health of the environment. Octavia Tea supports gardens that place strict controls on conservation of the environment through sustainable natural and organic farming methods. This makes an enormous difference, not only for the health of the environment and wildlife, but also for the people living and working in this region.

red-tea-glass-teapot Rooibos Served in Glass Teapot
Red tea offers many of the same health promoting properties as green tea, but is 100% caffeine-free, making it an ideal choice for evening or for people sensitive to caffeine.

YERBA MATÉ

FLAVOR AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Yerba maté (pronounced yer-bah MAH-tay) is indigenous to the subtropical rainforests of Paragua, Argentina and Brazil. Maté is gaining popularity in the United States for its robust antioxidant content and for its natural ability to boost energy, improve mood and aid weight-loss.

An infusion brewed from the dried leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguarensis tree, maté has a robust, earthy flavor that provides natural energy as well as a healthy dose of antioxidants. This stimulating herbal tea has the ability to energize without the nervousness and jitters associated with coffee. Unlike other herbal teas, maté contains a substance similar to caffeine known as matteine. It is responsible for yerba maté's uplifting energy and should not be consumed by those who avoid caffeine.

yerba-mateTraditional Gourd and Bombilla for Brewing Yerba Maté

ORIGIN: AMAZON RAINFOREST
Deemed the “Drink of the Gods" by many indigenous groups, maté is consumed widely in South America (6 to 1 over coffee) and has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy. A special tradition has developed over the centuries for drinking yerba maté. A hollowed-out gourd is filled with maté leaves and a bombilla (straw filter) is inserted. The gourd is repeatedly filled with hot water as the beverage is passed in a circle from person to person. This method of enjoying yerba maté inspires openness between friends, nourishing both their bodies and their relationships. Maté is such an important part of daily life that many South Americans carry yerba maté with them everywhere they go!

When harvested according to natural and organic methods, maté is a renewable rainforest product and is part of a socially and environmentally conscious movement to promote non-timber forestry products in the Amazon rainforest. Octavia Tea's yerba maté protects the precious rainforests through the production and promotion of a sustainable product, offering people a viable alternative income to destructive logging and cattle ranching.


From the rainforests of South America, maté is gaining popularity in the United States for its robust antioxidant content and for its natural ability to boost energy, improve mood and aid weight-loss.

CHAMOMILE

Chamomile is an aromatic perennial flower, producing feathery leaves and white, daisy-like flower heads with yellow centers. Chamomile has a bright, golden-colored infusion and a fragrance reminiscent of honey, fruit blossoms and apples. It is often taken with honey and lemon.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Chamomile has been prized for thousands of years for its therapeutic effects. In fact, chamomile was dedicated to the ancient Egyptian gods for its ability to calm the mind and comfort the senses. Hieroglyphic records show that Egyptian noblewomen drank chamomile and used preparations of crushed chamomile petals on their skin.

Today, chamomile is used as a nurturing herbal tea ideal for countering PMS, easing stress, relieving headaches and enhancing a peaceful night's sleep. Chamomile is also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties as well as acting as a digestive stimulant, muscle relaxant and mild sedative. Chamomile may be a beneficial treatment for arthritis and is even used in lotions and cosmetics for its soothing, anti-allergic properties on the skin. The MedlinePlus database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine lists over 100 separate ailments and conditions which chamomile has been traditionally used to treat.

Although most people find that chamomile helps relieve allergies and irritations, a small percentage of people are allergic to the flower.

Chamomile Flowers chamomile-flowers
Chamomile is a nurturing herbal tea ideal for countering PMS, easing stress, relieving headaches and enhancing a peaceful night's sleep. Chamomile is also known to act as a digestive stimulant, muscle relaxant and mild sedative.
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