HEALING TEAS
For centuries, civilisations have used herbs and leaves steeped in water to cure fevers, colds, indigestion and many other everyday ailments. Here are six teas we should all have in our first-aid boxes.
Six enlivening brews for everyday ailments
Sway served hot or cold, a good cuppa can be just the thing to lift your mood. But the benefits of tea go
beyond its refreshing qualities: for thousands of years, ancient civilisations turned to various leaves for their healing properties, and research backs up those theories.
‘It’s important to ensure that you have a strong immune system, especially with everything that’s happening at the moment with Covid-19,’ says tea merchant Swaady Martin. ‘Teas can help with that, and with relieving stress and anxiety.’
From as far back as she can remember, tea has been a feature in Swaady’s life. ‘My mom loved teas,’ she recalls. ‘We’d go to London every summer and always explore the tea shops while we were there.’
Today, Swaady is the founder of luxury tea brand Yswara. She shares the six go-to herbs that she believes can sort out a good few common ailments.
1MORINGA
This tea comes from the moringa oleifera tree, which is native to North India, and is packed with vitamins and minerals. ‘It really is a miraculous plant, and it’s my number one go-to tea,’ says Swaady. ‘Every two to three months, I’ll do a month of moringa.’ With three times as much iron as spinach, moringa is also packed with calcium, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium and beta carotene.
A small study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology found that women who took 7g (about 1½ teaspoons) of moringa leaf
powder every day for three months significantly increased their blood antioxidant levels, while scientists identified its main compound, isothiocyanate, as the root of its antiinflammatory properties. Moringa contains hydrating and detoxifying elements, which boost skin and hair health, and its anti-inflammatory properties have been known to treat oedema (fluid retention). Its antibiotic and antibacterial properties can treat a host of issues like indigestion and bacterial diseases, among others, from improving eye health to managing mood disorders.
2 SENNA
Made from the leaves, flowers and fruit of a group of flowering plants in the legume family, senna tea works wonders if you’re feeling a little backed up. That’s right – it’s a natural laxative. Compounds senna glycosides, found in senna leaves, are absorbed in the digestive tract and stimulate intestinal movement. Senna is also recommended in preparation for a colonoscopy, and some say it helps treat haemorrhoids. ‘If you need a strong detox to get something out of your system – if you’re recovering from food poisoning or are really constipated, for instance – this will definitely do the trick,’ notes Swaady. ‘But keep in mind: it’s very potent.’
3 BUCHU
The earliest documentation of buchu goes back to 1652, when the Khoisan introduced the herb to Dutch colonists as a healing plant. The Dutch then introduced it to Europe. Because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antispasmodic properties, buchu is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), high blood pressure, fevers, coughs, the common cold, upset stomachs, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gout, among other things. It’s even used as an insect repellent; it’s a natural deodorant, and is a source of vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as plenty of minerals, antioxidants and disease-preventing flavonoids. ‘Another super plant, buchu is great for strengthening the immune system – it goes really well with green rooibos,’ says Swaady.
4 LEMON VERBENA
While moringa, senna and buchu might not be known for their flavour, lemon verbena is refreshingly palatable. This lemonflavoured tea has been used for centuries to help with flu, colds, fever, indigestion and insomnia, and is still widely used today. Native to South America, it was brought to Europe by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 17th century. Lemon verbena is an antioxidant, and has anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. ‘For relaxation, I mix lemon verbena with lavender and green rooibos,’ says Swaady. The tea also stimulates the detoxing process, removing free radicals and promoting digestion through its antispasmodic properties.
5 ROSELLE
Also known as hibiscus, roselle is indigenous to North Africa and South East Asia. Packed with antioxidants, it has a similar taste to cranberries. It’s recommended to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, boost liver health and assist with weight loss. It’s also used to treat a sore throat. Naturally calorie- and caffeine-free, it contains anthocyanins, compounds that give the plant its red colour and its healing properties. Roselle is also high in polyphenols, which have been shown to possess powerful anticancer properties. ‘I find it wonderful for digestion,’ says Swaady.
6 AND, OF COURSE, ROOIBOS
There are two varieties of this local favourite: red and green rooibos. Both come from the same plant; they just undergo different methods of production. Rooibos is naturally caffeinefree and has a high concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols, which are said to protect brain health and could even help prevent cardiovascular disease. Rooibos can also assist with indigestion, reduce stress, boost your immune system and act as an effective anti-inflammatory. ‘I use rooibos with everything – not just because of its health benefits, but also because of its taste,’ says Swaady.