Now more than ever, we all seem to be making a more conscious effort to keep our immune systems strong and healthy to help our bodies fight the nasties we may come in contact with. While we will not promise any miracle cures or preventatives, we do promise you the best tasting, organic herbal tisanes to add to your wellness routine!
This month our featured wellness tisane is Flu Shot ®, one of our most popular herbals in our “medicine cabinet.” This house blend of citrus and spices is loaded with immune-strengthening herbs, roots and spices and it is so delicious! Our customers will testify, it just makes you feel better and have a happier day! Who doesn’t need that these days? Keep reading for the health benefits of the ingredients that make up our beloved blend.
Our Flu Shot ® tisane is crafted with the perfect combination of sweet and spice. The citrusy notes from lemongrass, lemon verbena and lemon peel compliment the sweetness of ceylon cinnamon and sarsaparilla, and soften the astringency and spice from turmeric, ginger and black pepper.
Bright, slightly sweet, and herbaceous lemon verbena has long been used by herbalist as an expectorant; loosening up and removing mucus from the lungs and sinus passages, verbena can aid in providing relief from the symptoms of colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and sinus and respiratory infections. It is also helpful in reducing fever in the body. Sharp and tangy lemongrass has antibacterial properties that can help you cope with a cold, allergies or the flu. Plus, it is loaded with Vitamin C that strengthens your immunity. It also is packed with antioxidants, which means that it can lower your body’s levels of free radicals. Free radicals are essentially molecules that are out of balance, and high levels of them are believed to make us more susceptible to many diseases. The addition of lemon peel, not only adds a lovely brightness to Flu Shot ®, it also contributes an impressive nutritional boost of vitamin C, the minerals calcium and potassium and flavonoids which may stimulate your body’s immune system to protect your health!
Flu Shot ® features naturally sweet Ceylon cinnamon, the good stuff! Ceylon cinnamon contains potent antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. Long used in Ayurvedic medicine to control inflammation and pain and for upper respiratory issues, turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Zesty and warming ginger also revered for its anti-inflammatory properties, is another ingredient that helps to break down mucus and improve circulation to the lungs.
Lastly, we’ve included both black peppercorn and sweet sarsaparilla in this blend. Both are often used in herbal mixes to act as a “synergist.” In other words, it’s thought that they increase the bioavailability and absorption of other herbs, making their health promoting properties more effective! Sarsaparilla is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and has also been studied to show activity against harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. Though surely not as effective as modern-day antibiotics, it has proven useful to help lighten the bacterial load in the body.
As you can see Flu Shot ® contains an arsenal of “antis”, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory! Added to your daily routine, tisanes like Flu Shot ® may help to decrease inflammation in your body. While inflammation is incredibly important, as it helps your body fight infections and repair tissue damage, it is harmful if it becomes chronic. Many of the foods we like to consume combined with the stressful lives we live, can create unnecessary inflammation in our bodies. Adding ingredients like those found in our Flu Shot ® can help balance out some of those stressors. Also worth mentioning, and the note I will end this blog on, whether enjoying a hot cup of Flu Shot ® or one of our other eighty-something teas and tisanes… scientists in the UK have studied and found that preparing and enjoying hot tea reduces stress levels by up to a quarter! All the more reason to put on the kettle and prepare yourself a cuppa!
Through April 14th, Flu Shot ® is on sale for $10 a bag, you can order online to pickup in-store (sidewalk/curbside to be more specific) or shipped to your door! At this moment, we are also still preparing cups of tea to-go, just call and pay ahead and we will bring it outside to you, with a smile! By the cup, Flu Shot ® is on sale for $2.50. We so look forward to the day when we can open our doors and welcome our communiTEA back into the store to catch up and enjoy a cup together once again! We love you all and we thank you so much for supporting our small business during these trying times. Bee well and stay strong! We are all in this together <3
