After a long hike through winding trails and over uneven terrain the body and mind call for a break. This timeout, allows us to embrace our surroundings, reflect on the journey thus far and rest our tired soles. It’s also a perfect time for tea!
Today’s guest expert is one of Australia’s leading naturopaths and best-selling author Mim Biem. Her philosophy of natural healing, combines science with the wisdom of nature, creating bespoke blends of tea rich in medicinal properties. In this article, Mim shares a few of her favourite theraputic herbs to help hikers restore their energy and focus on the trail.
Here’s Mim to explain the benefits of tea, and why it’s great with a snack, when you put down your pack…
It is recommended you consume 2 litres of fluid daily, even more if you are hiking or physically active. However, this 2l of fluid does not have to be all water. Fruits, soups, vegetables, tea and herbal tea all contain water and can be counted as part of your daily fluid intake. When you drink a cup tea, whether it be herbal or other, you are following a medical tradition hundreds of years old.
Following are some health benefits from some every day brews.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile is calming for the nervous system and ever so slightly sedative, which makes it ideal for a stressful day, or last thing at night. Peter Rabbits mum was a fan of chamomile for sore bunny tummies, and she was right. Chamomile reduces spasms of the digestive system, making it ideal for indigestion, tummy aches and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Ginger(Zingiber officinalis)
Well known as a culinary spice, ginger is a major healing herb, with records of its use in early Sanskrit and Chinese texts. Ginger helps relieve nausea and vomiting, safe for pregant women experiencing morning sickness as for any time one feels queasy. Ginger is a powerful antiinflammatory, reducing arthritic pain and helping to ease the spasms of painful periods. A warming remedy, ginger reduces mucous congestion,making it perfect for treating a cold or flu. Throw in a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey and you have the perfect winter remedy. Simply peel, grate or slice a 2cm piece of fresh ginger root and add boiling water.
Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Sipping Raspberry leaf tea helps relieve morning sickness and may reduce the risk of miscarriage, but it is later in the pregnancy that raspberry leaf comes into it’s own. Rasberry leaf is traditionally taken in the last trimester of pregnancy to ‘tonify’ the womb. In fact, it is thought to build up the strength of the myometrium (uterine muscle) which leads to an easier delivery. Contrary to internet scaremongering Raspberry leaf does NOT cause contractions.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A gentle balm for tummy and mind. Recent studies have shown Lemon Balm helps reduce agitation of patients with Alzheimer’s. Lemon Balm is also perfect for youngsters who need calming, and is very good for those prone to anxiety. Part of the mint family, Lemon Balm is easy to grow and delicious to taste. An excellent night time drink that will settle digestion and assist in sleep. Combines well with peppermint, ginger and chamomile.
Immune boosting Cold and flu tea
To help prevent a cold or flu, or hasten recovery if the bug has you in it’s grasp, this is a proven remedy that tastes delicious. Combining the healing powers of citrus, ginger, thyme and cinnamon. In your favourite teapot or plunger, pour the juice of one lemon and the chopped rind of half a lemon, half a stick of cinnamon, a small handful of fresh thyme, 3 cm of grated fresh ginger root and a tablespoon of honey. Add boiling water, steep for five minutes before drinking. Drink 3-4 mugs a day.
And then, there ‘normal’ tea. (Camellia sinensis)
Tea is one of the largest sources of antioxidants in our diet. It is particularly rich in a type of antioxidant known as polyphenols. One particular phenol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is a whopping 30 times more potent than vitamin E. There are a variety of other plant chemicals in tea that have been studied extensively, and found to have various roles in health maintenance and disease prevention. (see list pxx) Overall, the benefits of these antioxidants are helpful for heart disease, diabetes, heart disease, stress, cancer and the signs and effects of aging, including memory loss. Comparisons between tea and red wine (another antioxidant rich beverage), show that tea has more antioxidant activity… and you can still drive home!
Tea vs tisanes
Traditional tea is made only from the leaves of a bush called Camellia sinensis. ‘Teas’ can also be made from the flowers, leaves, seeds and roots of various herbs. For instance, chamomile tea is made from chamomile flowers, peppermint tea from peppermint leaves, fennel tea from fennel seeds and dandelion tea from dried dandelion root. However, as they are not made from leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, technically they should not be called tea at all but herbal ‘infusions’ or, to use the French, ‘tisanes’ (pronounced tizz-ahns).
A cup of tea and a good lie down (and a stiff scotch) is a time honoured tradition for coping with a tough day. It’s not just a state of mind, studies show that people are less stressed after drinking a cup of tea. Theanine (the antioxidant) has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Theanine levels increase during the processing of tea leaves known as fermentation. Black tea has greater theanine levels than green, white or oolong tea due to it’s increased fermentation time.
Discover Mim’s Medicinal Blends!
