Amongst health conscious Australians, Ashwagandha tea is becoming increasingly popular. This tea, with its origins in age-old Ayurvedic medicinal practices, is thought to contain properties that help to reduce anxiety and stress. Who doesn’t need that a bit of that these days?
Let’s take a look at the Ashwagandha root, its remarkable benefits, and why you might like to introduce it into your tea repertoire. We’ll also reflect on why choosing an organic option is a wise decision when it comes to getting the best tea for your health.
Ashwagandha Tea - What Is It?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a part of the nightshade family of plants. An evergreen, it grows in the Middle East, parts of Africa, India and Nepal.
The word ‘ashwagandha’ is a combination of the sanskrit words ashva (horse) and gandha (smell), as the dried root of the plant is said to have a horse-like smell. The plant was also said to give you horse-like strength if you consume it. For centuries, this remarkable plant has been used in traditional Indian medicine to treat a range of conditions, and to encourage health and vitality. Western medicine is still catching up when it comes to understanding its benefits, but more and more people are trying Ashwagandha tea for themselves and experiencing the benefits.
The Key Ingredients and Properties of Ashwagandha tea
When you drink Ashwaghanda tea, you’re usually consuming the powdered root of the plant, which is filled with beneficial compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and withanolides. These compounds offer the following benefits:
- Flavonoids offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardioprotective benefits.
- Alkaloids offer pain relief, stimulatory effects, and antimicrobial properties.
- Withanolides act as adaptogens. Adaptogens are properties found in mushrooms and plants that assist your body to respond well to fatigue, anxiety and stress. They also support cognitive and immune health.
Additionally, Ashwagandha root contains amino acids and iron, meaning there is nutritional, as well as medicinal, value in the tea.
What are the benefits of Ashwagandha tea, according to Ayurvedic medicine?
According to ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha tea can help to:
- Reduce oxidative stress: Ashwagandha tea is rich in antioxidants, and therefore helpful in protecting the body from oxidative stress. As we know, oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue damage in the body, which not only accelerates ageing, but is associated with a range of diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer's.
- Boost immunity and energy: Taking a tea that reduces oxidative stress can boost your immunity against infections and illnesses. Reducing oxidative stress is also thought to enhance overall vitality, making you feel more energetic and strong.
- Enhance mental clarity: Ashwagandha tea contains withanolides, which are known to support brain health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. These active compounds can help to enhance mental clarity and cognitive function. Regular drinkers of Ashwagandha tea can improve their concentration and focus, and improve memory retention.
- Reduce anxiety and stress: The Ashwagandha root contains adaptogenic properties, known to help you feel less anxiety and stress, and help you to relax. Consumed regularly, it’s thought the tea helps to reduce levels of cortisol, the hormone linked to stress. It is also thought to stabilise mood and alleviate feelings of anxiety.
Ashwagandha tea has also been traditionally used to treat:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Skin conditions
- Blood sugar imbalance.
How to drink Ashwaghanda tea
Generally, you’ll encounter Ashwagandha tea mixed in with other ingredients with beneficial qualities. The reason for this is to enhance the flavour of the tea, and add to the benefits of the concoction. For example, Tea Tonic’s Energy Boost Organic Tea contains not only Ashwagandha, but also lemongrass, green tea, lemon balm, calendula and monk fruit, all of which contain their own beneficial properties and refreshing flavours.
Tips for Maximising Flavour
When brewing Ashwagandha tea, or a tea with Ashwagandha in it, a longer steep time will make for a robust flavour, whilst a shorter steep will offer a milder taste. The amount of tea you brew will also impact the depth of flavour, so if you like your flavour light, only use a small amount of tea, and if you like it strong, use more.
When preparing pure Ashwagandha tea, you may want to enhance the flavour by using a sweetener, such as stevia or honey. You can drink it with or without milk. Some people like to add fresh herbs to the mix, like mint, lemon balm or lemongrass, or add slices of citrus fruit, like lime, lemon or orange, to give the brew a zesty flavour. Alternatively, grab yourself a pre-mixed tea that includes Ashwagandha. This way you know that a pleasant balance of flavours has been curated for you already.
Other Ashwagandha Tea Pairings
Tea Tonic’s Energy Boost Tea combines green tea, Ashwagandha, and lemon grass for a revitalising and invigorating experience. Other ingredients Ashwagandha is often paired with include:
- Ginger, which adds a warming, spicy taste and aids digestion.
- Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Liquorice root, for a naturally sweet flavour and additional stress-relief benefits.
- Mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
- Chamomile to promote relaxation and restful sleep.
When experimenting with herbal pairings, start with small amounts to find the perfect balance that suits your taste.
Tea Tonic’s Energy Boost Tea containing Ashwagandha
Need a regular pick me up that doesn’t make you feel stressed? Try replacing your daily coffee with our Energy Boost Tea instead. It includes not only Ashwagandha root, but also a range of other herbs that will help you feel relaxed, clear headed and energetic. Available in the following formats:
ENERGY BOOST TEA - TIN LOOSE LEAF ORGANIC
ENERGY BOOST TEA - 500G LOOSE LEAF ORGANIC
ENERGY BOOST TEA - 200 BULK TEABAGS ORGANIC
ENERGY BOOST TEA - 20 TEABAG BOX ORGANIC
ENERGY BOOST TEA - TRAVEL PACK
ENERGY BOOST TEA - TRAVEL TIN LOOSE LEAF
THERMAL TEA BOTTLE WITH INFUSER 450ML WITH ENERGY BOOST TEA LOOSE LEAF TRAVEL TIN ORGANIC
Ingredients: Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), (Withania somnifera), Lemongrass (Cymbypogan Citrayus), Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis), Calendula (Calendula officinal), Monk Fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii).
Why Choose Organic Tea?
When tea drinking is a daily habit, it’s important to choose organic tea. Chemicals and pesticides aren’t used in the farming of organic tea, which is good news for your health and the health of the environment. In addition, the farming methods used to produce organic tea result in a tea with better flavour. Organic tea may cost a little more than non-organic tea, however the health benefits, improved taste, and environmental wins are certainly worth the investment.