Olive leaf
Olive leaf as a herb is very well known
for its immune-supporting functions,
along with its cardiovascular benefits,
and prepared as a tea, it has a similar
report card. This herb, too, is rich in
polyphenols, giving rise to some pretty
impressive benefits, including supporting
and protecting the cardiovascular
system, showing a balancing effect
on blood glucose, containing a high
level of antioxidants as well as being
neuroprotective.
Research has shown that daily intake
of olive leaf may reduce blood pressure,
plasma lipids and inflammation, clearly
demonstrating a strong affinity for the
heart and entire cardiovascular system.
Interestingly, a recent trial also showed
that olive leaf tea significantly increased red
blood cell counts and haemoglobin, while
further protecting iron levels due to the low
levels of tannins, making it beneficial for
those who may have low iron, or who have
a higher risk of anaemia.Sage
Sage has a long traditional use as a tonic
for the nervous system. Its restorative
and calming properties, along with its use
in improving mental clarity and cognitive
performance, give you good reason to use
this magical herb the next time you’re in
the kitchen. But the benefits extend beyond
the nervous system, as sage is also a
wonderful antiseptic, making it perfect
for a sore throat gargle or tea to soothe
infections of the mouth and throat.
A sage plant is a perfect gift for the
menopausal women in your life, as the
silvery grey leaves can help to reduce
excess sweating. A simple home remedy
for night sweats is to roughly chop six or
seven fresh sage leaves and soak them
overnight in fresh lemon juice. In the
morning, strain and then drink the juice.
Do this for seven to 10 days to help reduce
sweating — and a bonus effect is generally
improved digestion!
A little cautionary note, however, is that
too much sage over a long period of time
is not recommended, given it does contain
a small amount of naturally occurring
thujone, which is toxic in high doses.
Large amounts of sage may also cause
overstimulation of the nervous system and
should be avoided in pregnancy. Also, given
it is high in tannins, it has the potential to
interfere with mineral absorption. However,
don’t be frightened, as general everyday
use of this herb as a tea or in your cooking
is a wonderful addition to your diet and
it can be used medicinally as mentioned
above in short-term situations very safely.Lemon balm
Sometimes known as balm mint or sweet balm,
this gentle herb is an excellent addition to your
garden or tea cabinet. Historically used as asedative and in the topical treatment of wounds,
lemon balm has maintained a wonderful
reputation as a support for the nervous system.
Shown to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive
function and mood, as well as to assist with
sleep, its effect is gentle but significant.
It has also been used to calm the digestive
system — and can be particularly lovely for
people who feel their nerves in their gut as
a calming but uplifting tonic. The actions of
this tea go beautifully with the act of sitting
and sipping a cuppa.And don’t throw away the leaves, as
topically, lemon balm is known to be
antiviral and is effective against cold sores.The perfect cup
So how do you prepare the perfect brew?
Always seek out the best-quality and
freshest teas that you can find. Loose-
leaf as opposed to a teabag will give you
a richer and more potent decoction.
As a general rule, one teaspoon per cup
is a good guide for preparation. Add to
a cup or infuser, pour over boiling water
and leave to sit for three to five minutes,
sweetening as desired.
Once you have opened the packet,
transfer your tea to an airtight container,
such as a jar, and keep it at room
temperature, away from direct sunlight to
protect the constituents within. Cheers!Meg is a practising naturopath, cook, mother,
writer, health advocate and passionate
wholefood enthusiast based in Melbourne.Sage has a long traditional use as
a tonic for the nervous system.... sage is also a wonderful
antiseptic, making it
perfect for a sore throat
gargle or tea to soothe
infections of the mouth
and throat.
EatWell | 77EWL026_076-077 FEAT 5 Herbal teas-PR.indd 77EWL026_076-077 FEAT 5 Herbal teas-PR.indd 77 5/08/2019 11:29:38 AM5/08/2019 11:29:38 AMOlive leaf
Olive leaf as a herb is very well known
for its immune-supporting functions,
along with its cardiovascular benefits,
and prepared as a tea, it has a similar
report card. This herb, too, is rich in
polyphenols, giving rise to some pretty
impressive benefits, including supporting
and protecting the cardiovascular
system, showing a balancing effect
on blood glucose, containing a high
level of antioxidants as well as being
neuroprotective.
Research has shown that daily intake
of olive leaf may reduce blood pressure,
plasma lipids and inflammation, clearly
demonstrating a strong affinity for the
heart and entire cardiovascular system.
Interestingly, a recent trial also showed
that olive leaf tea significantly increased red
blood cell counts and haemoglobin, while
further protecting iron levels due to the low
levels of tannins, making it beneficial for
those who may have low iron, or who have
a higher risk of anaemia.
Sage
Sage has a long traditional use as a tonic
for the nervous system. Its restorative
and calming properties, along with its use
in improving mental clarity and cognitive
performance, give you good reason to use
this magical herb the next time you’re in
the kitchen. But the benefits extend beyond
the nervous system, as sage is also a
wonderful antiseptic, making it perfect
for a sore throat gargle or tea to soothe
infections of the mouth and throat.
A sage plant is a perfect gift for the
menopausal women in your life, as the
silvery grey leaves can help to reduce
excess sweating. A simple home remedy
for night sweats is to roughly chop six or
seven fresh sage leaves and soak them
overnight in fresh lemon juice. In the
morning, strain and then drink the juice.
Do this for seven to 10 days to help reduce
sweating — and a bonus effect is generally
improved digestion!
A little cautionary note, however, is that
too much sage over a long period of time
is not recommended, given it does contain
a small amount of naturally occurring
thujone, which is toxic in high doses.
Large amounts of sage may also cause
overstimulation of the nervous system and
should be avoided in pregnancy. Also, given
it is high in tannins, it has the potential to
interfere with mineral absorption. However,
don’t be frightened, as general everyday
use of this herb as a tea or in your cooking
is a wonderful addition to your diet and
it can be used medicinally as mentioned
above in short-term situations very safely.
Lemon balm
Sometimes known as balm mint or sweet balm,
this gentle herb is an excellent addition to your
garden or tea cabinet. Historically used as a
sedative and in the topical treatment of wounds,
lemon balm has maintained a wonderful
reputation as a support for the nervous system.
Shown to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive
function and mood, as well as to assist with
sleep, its effect is gentle but significant.
It has also been used to calm the digestive
system — and can be particularly lovely for
people who feel their nerves in their gut as
a calming but uplifting tonic. The actions of
this tea go beautifully with the act of sitting
and sipping a cuppa.Anddon’tthrowawaytheleaves,as
topically,lemonbalmis knowntobe
antiviralandis effectiveagainstcoldsores.Theperfectcup
Sohowdoyoupreparetheperfectbrew?
Alwaysseekoutthebest-qualityand
freshestteasthatyoucanfind.Loose-
leafasopposedtoa teabagwillgiveyou
a richerandmorepotentdecoction.
Asa generalrule,oneteaspoonpercup
is a good guide for preparation. Add to
a cup or infuser, pour over boiling water
and leave to sit for three to five minutes,
sweetening as desired.
Once you have opened the packet,
transfer your tea to an airtight container,
such as a jar, and keep it at room
temperature, away from direct sunlight to
protect the constituents within. Cheers!Meg is a practising naturopath, cook, mother,
writer, health advocate and passionate
wholefood enthusiast based in Melbourne.Sage has a long traditional use as
a tonic for the nervous system.... sage is also a wonderful
antiseptic, making it
perfect for a sore throat
gargle or tea to soothe
infections of the mouth
and throat.
EatWell | 77