| Product: |
Yogi Tea Licorice Egyptian Spice Organic |
| Date: |
20/03/08 (139 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Healthy, delicious, organic
Disadvantages: Price (£1.82 for only 15 bags!)
~ Introduction ~
I am very keen on avoiding junk food in my life and try to incorporate lots of good food. Having said that, it's not always accomplished on a daily basis, so I make sure that at least once a day my body gets some natural plant treatment, which is more than likely will be in the form of a heartwarming, steaming cup of herbal tea which I often have just before going to bed or just after waking up. It also occasionally serves me as the ultimate wind down experience, a rare me-time or some relaxing moments shared with an intimate friend.
~ Why Yogi Tea Spice Infusions? ~
I've tried many varieties of herbal infusions from Twinings to various supermarket brands which apart from being caffeine-free don't have any other special benefits - they only smell good but have a disappointly watery taste, so I doubt there's any real health benefits to them all compared to healing teas that at least contain enough herbs and in such concentration that it actually has healing properties for one or other ailment. Talking about infusions, having tried a range of special purpose teas - sleep well, digestion, detox - these do have a lot of health benefits but their taste is often bitter and a bit on the 'medication' side even if you added sugar / honey to taste.
Then I spotted the Yogi Tea range in Holland & Barrett which is my regular snack stop shop - and thought I'd give it a try. The Licorice variety seemed to fulfill both criteria I was after: various spicy herbs packed with healthy benefits that are great tasting too!
~ Health benefits ~
You probably now spices are generally used in herbal infusions to aid digestion and act as a tonic for the liver which means it makes the liver work for you at a more optimum rate. Here I picked three widely and lesser known herbs and list some of their health benefits you'll be getting from Egyptian Spice.
Licorice
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The sweet roots of this Mediterranean shrub have been used since ancient times across Asia by the Chinese and the Mediterranean by the Greek and known for its therapeutic properties.
Internal use:
Licorice root has been shown to have extraordinary healing properties. It soothes digestive and urinary tracts, helps heal stomach ulcers, relieves coughs and sore throats. It has been found to lower blood cholesterol levels even treat chronic hepatitis by boosting the immune system and stimulating production of protective compounds. Being a source of the female hormone estrogen, it helps regulate hormone production in women.
External use:
Licorice is a great enmollient agent and is used in a lot of cosmetics. It can be used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema)
as it helps reduce inflammation, itching and burning of the skin. It also supresses too much oil production of the scalp.
Side effects:
Licorice is a potent herb and in excess can cause serious side effects including high blood pressure, edema and low blood salt levels. Don't be alarmed though, high doses mean in a capsule form consumed in excess and for more than 4 - 6 weeks. Licorice preparations should be avoided during pregrancy.
Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is the oldest known spice and is made from the bark of the cinnamon tree native to India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Vietnam and Egypt.
Internal use:
Traditionally used in cooking as a flavouring it is believed to improve digestion. Scientific studies have shown its
antibacterial and antifungal properties. There's research currently under way where it has been found to regulate blood sugar levels. Cinnamon apparently slows the rate at which the sugar from the digested food is absorbed from the stomach
to the blood.
External use: aromatherapy
Side effects:
Compounds found in cinnamon and come from the bark irritate the skin so cinnamon oil should never be applied directly on the
skin. It can be used however by diffusing it as an aromatherapy oil in the air. Avoid excess amount of cinnamon if pregnant.
Chicory
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Chicory is a fibrous vegetable consumed by humans and as an animal feed and its root is mostly known and used as a coffee substitute though it's little known but powerful health benefits are also worth noting.
Internal use:
It is known to cleanse the blood and improve liver function. Firstly it helps remove toxins from it, secondly it
increases bile flow so more fats can be broken down therefore it aids digestion. It also acts as a mild laxative and diuretic (removes excess water).
Side effects:
No side effects are known when consumed though it can cause occupational contact dermatitis when handled at plant growers.
~ The brew ~
I pour just boiled water on the teabag and leave for approximately five minutes to soak. Spices need slighly longer brewing time as they come from hard or fibrious parts of the plants and therefore need to soften to release their flavour and beneficial contents. Egyptian Spice is a toning, energizing and soothing blend of cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, cardamom, black pepper chicory root, barley malt and cloves. I would describe the taste as exotic where cinnamon and ginger are the dominating aromas with a slight citrusy taste. All in all, a very exotic, oriental blend that is potent, strong smelling and strong tasting. It is so much so that if you leave the bag in for longer, the more bitter, gingery taste you'll get in your brew, so if you like it milder, make sure you remove the teabag. Compared to supermarket spice infusions, the taste is definitely superior. Licorice is an excellent flavouring as it is 50 times sweeter than sugar! No amount of sugar or honey needed in this brew, the licorice is loud and clear, a taste that takes a few seconds to register on your tongue though.
~ Yogi Tea Varieties ~
Ayurvedic Spice Infusion is just one family in the Yogi Tea range. There are six herbal tea variations including Mexican and Jamaican Spice as well as one Rooibos, one green and one black tea spice blend.
Specialised blends include: Stomach-Ease, Bedtime, Detox and Women's Energy (I could do with this one!)
I've just noticed there's a yoga exercise printed on the side inside the packet.
~ Conclusion ~
Egyptian Spice is a fairly rich spice blend which is caffeine-free, yeast-free and organic. It is a wind-down tea though in a way it has a double effect in that you'll fee relaxed and at the same time refreshed, energized. I noticed when I had it before bedtime I stayed up longer and didn't feel as tired as usual when going to bed. Due to its price I only have it occasionally myself or sharing it with a friend.
If you're not keen on herbal teas because of their unpleasant or bitter taste, I highly recommend trying these if you like the sound of the spices but also want the health benefits not just the nice smell of spiced infusions.
~ Price / where to buy ~
Holland & Barett and online from http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk at £1.82 / 15 bags
Thanks for reading.
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Summary: A great tasting herbal infusion with healing spices
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