Stress is unavoidable at points in our lives. The goal is to manage our response to stressors in such a way that it is not detrimental to our health or well-being over time.
This is a tea blend for stress relief and adrenal support, containing herbal “adaptogens” that help the body better adapt to stress. The challenge with many of these adaptogens is that they are roots, bark, or berries that do not infuse very well as a tea; they need to be “decocted,” which means they need to be simmered in water like you would when cooking a grain like rice, for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
Herbal adaptogens are herbs that act in nonspecific ways to help the body better “adapt to stress.” These herbs were originally studied on world-class athletes and people in the military, primarily by Russian and Chinese scientists, and have been shown to generally help support the adrenal glands, strengthen the immune system, protect organs vulnerable to the effects of stress, and increase energy levels and endurance. Adaptogens are thought to act on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis in some way, helping to re-regulate and balance teh hormonal signaling systems in the body. Three herbs in this tea blend have this effect, all but cinnamon.
The herbs in this blend, Eleuthero, Licorice, and Devil’s club also have their particular unique properties. For example, Licorice root is protective to the liver and antiinflammatory while also supporting the adrenal glands and energy levels. Devil’s club is a native plant whose root bark is used to balance blood sugar, boost the immune system, and help with respiratory health, helping to break up mucus and acting as an expectorant. Eleuthero is generally balancing while strengthening the immune system, increasing endurance & oxygen-carrying capacity, lowering blood pressure & triglyceride levels.
Ingredients: Devil’s club root bark, Eleuthero root, Licorice root, Cinnamon bark.
*As a side note, licorice root does not take like the flavor associated with black licorice candy, which is flavored with anise seed oil. Licorice root has a sweet, starchy flavor and is very nice in tea blends.
*Licorice root should not be consumed in quantities of 3 grams or more per day (about 1 tsp of the dried root) by people with a tendency toward high blood pressure because of its effect on aldosterone in the kidneys.
