Winter Warming Teas that Nurture, Comfort and Restore
As I was walking back from a Festive Christmas Shopping trip in Chelsea, I passed lots cafe’s selling hot chocolate to go, passers by clutching their warming cup of cocoa with whipped cream, marshmallows and cinnamon sticks, all very tempting.
I desperately wanted that quick hit of Cocoa and the feeling of being warm on the inside as my mittened hands cradled the hot cup.
I knew the fleeting rush of Dopamine and buzz from the cocoa, would be short lived and with someone like myself who is prone to Metabolic Inflexibility , I would regret that later on. That, and the blood glucose spike, would not be good for my blood sugar numbers.
Our bodies are unable to differentiate between a meal and a cup of hot chocolate. The endocrine system will respond in the same way as if that hot chocolate is food, as soon as that sweet hot milky chocolate hits our stomach, insulin is released and our blood sugars go up, without the benefit of protein and fats to quell the surge of sugar this will lead to a sugar spike.
When we go through the Perimenopause and Menopause, our body’s response to insulin and high sugar foods changes, and what once used to be a drink that could easily be metabolised, is now not so much. The excess sugar in our blood stream then gets deposited as fat.
So it got me thinking ? What other drinks could I have that would give me that nurturing warmth during these dark cold winter months, something that I could have quilt free with health benefits into the bargain ?
Here are some of my favourite “go to” Warming Winter Teas to enjoy throughout the day.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a fragrant herbal tea made from the dried calyces of the flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. Hibiscus sabdariffa is native to Africa and grows in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Thailand, China, and Mexico. It is also part of the Mallow Family.
Hibiscus Tea is enjoyed throughout the world and is referred to by different names, some of which are Sour Tea, Aqua de Jamaica, Bissau, Karkade (Egypt), Sudanese Tea dn Zobo.
Known for its many health benefits, it is used as a medicinal herb a well as dried and used to make a tea.
Hibiscus Tea is full of Antioxidants and Vitamin C. Vitamin C aids tissue growth and repair, wound healing, helps in the formation of Collagen, maintenance of cartilage and bones (essential for post menopausal women to maintain their bone mass), and iron absorption.
Hibiscus Tea is used as a diuretic as it helps the kidneys flush out toxins, and is used as a home remedy for UTI infections, so a great tea to have in your corner as some women experience a greater increase in UTI’s during the Menopause years.
It will also contribute in balancing one’s blood pressure and or blood sugar. For this reason as Hibiscus Tea is used as a medicinal drink as well as a refreshing one, you should always consult with a health care practitioner if you are taking medication for blood pressure and diabetes, as an excess of Hibiscus Tea may have contraindications with your medicine.
When not to drink Hibiscus Tea:
Expectant Mums should not drink Hibiscus Tea. The phytoestrogens in hibiscus tea may cause complications during pregnancy. For instance, they may trigger preterm labour. If you're pregnant, or breastfeeding, you may want to avoid hibiscus tea and look for an alternative such as Fennel Tea.
How to drink Hibiscus Tea:
In general, with an herbal infusion, it takes some trial and error to find the strength and flavour you want. A longer steep results in a stronger flavour and colour, but over-steeping any tea can increase its bitterness.
To make from loose dried, cut hibiscus flowers:
Use 2 tablespoons per 500ml
Pour boiling water over ground hibiscus.
Steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
Strain tea before drinking or storing.
Restorative Hot Water with Lemon
Drinking hot water with lemon in the morning is a popular drink and recommended by some of the world’s Health and Detox centres including the renowned Meyer Clinics of Austria. This simple drink can provide a number of benefits to your health and wellness routine.
Hot water helps to flush out toxins from your body, while lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants that help to boost your immune system. Drinking this combination in the morning can help to improve your digestion and metabolism. It is also a great way to hydrate your body after a long night's sleep.
Lemon water is thought to help with regulating blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation in your body. The vitamin C in lemon water helps support cells to fight off pathogens, as well as promoting the oxidant-scavenging activity of the body.
The NHS recommends drinking plenty of water with fresh lemon juice to help prevent kidney stones. The citric acid in the lemon water helps inhibit stone formation by breaking down the Calcium Oxylate. Having citric acid in your urine helps protect against the formation of new stones, as well as helping to break up small kidney stones that are just beginning to form.
Though not clinically proven, some people swear by the effects that Lemon Water can have on their digestion. Easing symptoms of bloating and constipation. For this to be most effecting, have a luke warm cup of Lemon Water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Overall, drinking hot water and lemon in the morning is a simple and effective way to improve your health and well-being. So, why not try making this part of your daily routine?
Lemon Water is a great wake me cuppa, though do be mindful that too much lemon water may erode tooth enamel, cause heartburn. Always use unwaxed lemons for our Lemon Water.
How to prepare Lemon Water:
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a glass, cup or mug.
Use a citrus press if you have one, otherwise you may have to remove any pips with a spoon.
Use water from the kettle that’s halfway cooled, so your drink is lukewarm.
Enjoy
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Its unique properties come from its essential oils, such as cinnamaldehyde. Antioxidants fight off oxidation caused by free radicals, which are molecules that damage your cells and contribute to diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Cinnamon tea is packed full of antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that help keep us healthy.
Not all Cinnamon is created equal. If you can scout around the Asian grocery shops and source some Ceylon Cinnamon, or “true cinnamon,” a native to Sri Lanka and southern parts of India. It’s made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree. Ceylon Cinnamon, is tan-brown in colour and contains many tight sticks with soft layers. These features provide a highly desirable quality and texture.
Ceylon cinnamon is less common and has long been prized as a cooking spice. It is quite expensive compared to the more common cassia variety but seems to be easier to digest, sweeter on the palate therefore no need for added sweetness when making tea.
Research shows that it may also help in lowering inflammation in the body and at the same time raise levels of good Cholesterol (HDL). In doing so it may also reduce blood pressure and Triglyceride levels.
Cinnamon has been used to improve insulin sensitivity and improve Metabolic function, by increasing the effectiveness of insulin and therefore reducing insulin resistance which can suddenly appear during the Menopause.
These effects may offer protection against type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon Tea is especially warming and welcoming during this festive period, so if you have guests who prefer to have something non alcoholic, why not add some warmed apple juice to your cinnamon Tea, and a stick of cinnamon.
Cinnamon tea is incredibly easy to make and incorporate into your diet.
How to make Cinnamon Tea :
You can drink it warm, or cool it to make homemade iced tea.
The easiest way to make it is to simply add 1 teaspoon (2.6 grams) of ground cinnamon to 1 cup (235 ml) of boiled water and stir. You can also make cinnamon tea by steeping a cinnamon stick in boiling water for 10–15 minutes.
Cinnamon tea is naturally caffeine-free, so it can be enjoyed anytime throughout the day. However, if you’re specifically interested in its blood-sugar-lowering effects, it may be most effective to consume it with your meals.
Often added to Chai Tea in Asia, it is enjoyed as both an aromatic restorative drink as well as a medicinal.
If you’re currently taking blood-sugar-lowering medication, it’s best to consult your healthcare practitioner before adding cinnamon tea to your routine.
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