The 4 Teas That Will Change Your Whole Day
After a while, you get used to the heat—at least you think you do. You might even think you're impervious to its effects. But, sure enough, as soon as you leave the beach, you start to the see the damage. You can't sleep. You're wired. Teeth grinding. You've been burned.
You need a factor 30 for your stress. That's why we waded through the research to find stress-busting teas. Simple enough to sip in the middle of a work emergency, soothing enough to send office stress packing from your home, these teas help you make it through the heat unscathed.
Bonus: you'll eat less junk, store less belly fat and get better sleep. And it can all start with a cup of one of these teas, compliments of The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse.
The Blues Buster
CHAMOMILE & LAVENDER TEA
DRINK THIS: Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile with Lavender
BECAUSE IT: Reduces fatigue and depression
Here's the funny thing about chamomile: While it's the most popular tea for bedtime, there's actually no evidence that it improves the length or quality of sleep. But there's a lot of evidence that it does something even more mysterious: It reduces the stress that comes with insomnia. One German study found that chamomile tea significantly improved the physical symptoms related to a lack of sleep, and even helped reduced levels of depression in the chronically sleep-deprived. Another study found that it improved daytime wakefulness in people who suffered from a lack of sleep. To maximize its effects, look for a chamomile/lavender blend. In a study of postpartum women, those who drank lavender tea for 2 weeks showed improvement in postpartum depression and reduced fatigue. They also reported being able to better bond with their infant.
The Nerve Soother
HOPS TEA
DRINK THIS: Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer
BECAUSE IT: Reduces anxiety
The hop, a component in beer, is a sedative plant whose pharmacological activity is due primarily to the bitter resins in the leaves. Hops increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which soothes the central nervous system. Spanish researchers reported in a 2012 journal that the sedative activity of hops aids nocturnal sleep.
The Perspective Changer
ASHWAGANDHA TEA
DRINK THIS: Yogi Tea Herbal Tea, Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy
BECAUSE IT: Gives you a better outlook on life
A study in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that "Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual's resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life." In another study, serum cortisol levels in a group of ashwagandha drinkers were substantially reduced versus a placebo group. The plant is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat nervous exhaustion, insomnia and loss of memory.
The Mind Quieter
KAVA KAVA
DRINK THIS: Yogi Tea Herbal Tea, Kava Stress Relief
BECAUSE IT: Quells worrying thoughts
It's one thing to simply sedate. But unlike other teas studied, kava kava actually reduces anxiety levels by helping you get a healthier perspective on life. In one study, 120 mg of kava-kava was administered daily over 6 weeks to patients who had stress-induced insomnia. The results suggested a statistically significant improvement in sleep latency, duration and waking mood. A 2010 study out of Melbourne found its efficacy so impressive that the Kava Anxiety-Lowering Medication (KALM) project was established to lobby for its re-introduction. Note: At very high levels, kava kava can cause liver toxicity; it should be only one part of an overall, balanced tea cleanse.
To learn more about the wonders of tea, and get started on a 7-day plan that will melt up to 10 pounds, buy the 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse now, exclusively in e-Book format. Available for Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Google Play, and Kobo.
