Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) contain various antioxidants which may protect against cell damage (13). When added to tea blends, oyster mushrooms provide both umami flavor and distinct bitterness for an enjoyable sensory experience.

Rooibos adds herbal sweetness and subtle nutty notes, complementing the earthy tones of P. ostreatus tea perfectly. Cinnamon offers subtle spice with soft spice notes that balances out its bitterness while honey brings added sweetness and body.

Rooibos

Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is an herbal tea that is naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants. It has a delicious earthy, nutty flavor with hints of caramel and vanilla. Rooibos is enjoyed both hot and cold, and it can be paired with lemon, honey, or any other flavor that you prefer.

Rooibos is grown from the Aspalathus linearis plant which is native to South Africa. The plants have long needle-like leaves and bloom with beautiful yellow flowers. These flowers produce legumes with a single seed inside that pop out when ripe, landing on the ground around the plant. Early rooibos harvesters would hunt anthills for these seeds to gather and replant the rooibos plants. Today, farmers sift the sandy soil around the rooibos plant to collect the seeds needed to start new crops each spring.

This tea is loved for its sweet and smooth taste, but it is also a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and powerful anti-aging antioxidants. Rooibos is low in tannins and completely free from caffeine, so it is safe to drink at any time of day.

Drinking a cup of rooibos can help improve sleep quality, and it can aid in digestion by soothing stomach cramps and reducing digestive issues like indigestion. Rooibos is full of natural anti-aging compounds such as nothofagin and aspalathin, which are believed to help fight signs of aging such as skin wrinkles and a reduction in the strength of blood vessels.

rooibos is known to be low in calories and contains no fat, so it can be an effective weight loss beverage. It can also reduce stress hormones that can stir up hunger pangs and encourage the body to store fat reserves. The natural quercetin in rooibos can prevent our bodies from releasing chemicals called histamines that cause allergies such as itchy skin, watery eyes, hives, and runny nose.

Our rooibos tea blends are inspired by traditional drinks from around the world. Our Earl Grey rooibos is flavored with high quality oil of bergamot to create a delicious caffeine-free version of this classic. This rooibos is also blended with cinnamon and milk to create our Horchata rooibos, which takes inspiration from the Hispanic beverage horchata, traditionally served at aguas frescas stands and in many northern New Mexican restaurants.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are abundant during the winter season and offer immune-enhancing nutrition. Oranges and other common citrus such as lemons, limes, tangerines, satsumas and clementines provide flavorful nutrition that supports overall wellbeing.

All citrus fruits originate from shrubs or trees in the Rutaceae family. Their juicy, often acidic flesh is covered by thick skin containing natural oils which contribute to their distinctive zesty flavors and distinctive aroma. Citrus fruits provide essential vitamin C which supports your body tissues’ wellbeing as well as antioxidants which may protect against certain diseases.

Oranges and other citrus fruits provide essential fiber for digestion, as well as essential minerals like potassium for maintaining healthy blood pressure and magnesium to ensure muscles and nerves function properly.

Citrus fruits contain flavonoids, plant compounds that provide protective phytonutrients. Citrus fruit flavonoids help neutralize free radicals, potentially decreasing your risk of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and cardiovascular disease. They may also ease inflammation in arteries while decreasing cholesterol levels; and reduce oxidative stress linked to diabetes or heart disease conditions.

Although many people enjoy drinking fruit juice, be mindful about how much you drink. One serving typically has more sugar and less fiber than an entire piece of the same fruit; too much juice could coat your teeth in sugars and lead to increased tooth decay.

If you prefer your citrus in tea form, our new Japanese Tamogi (Golden Oyster) Mushroom and Du Zhong Tea Blend may be just what you’re looking for. With richer beta-glucan levels from oyster mushroom extracts combined with powerful anti-oxidant effects of Du Zhong tea’s antioxidant effects, this beverage makes an excellent detoxification beverage to be enjoyed both hot and cold!

Ginger

Ginger is an aromatic underground stem-like root which can be consumed fresh, dried, powdered or made into juice or tea for consumption. Ginger also adds flavor, texture and color to dishes during preparation, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature. Studies have demonstrated its use to alleviate symptoms associated with nausea, vomiting and indigestion as well as decrease pain associated with arthritis.

Gingerol, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound found in ginger, boasts powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help your body absorb and utilize glucose more effectively, which is used as an energy source by your body. Furthermore, research shows it to have positive results in helping control blood sugar levels for those living with type 2 diabetes by both lowering levels and improving control.

Gingerol was shown in a study to decrease symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn and stomach upset, as well as boost your immunity against colds and flus. Furthermore, ginger has also been known to relieve headaches and migraines by soothing pain relief.

Ginger can enhance immune function, but before increasing consumption it’s important to consult with a Meritas Health family medicine provider first, especially if you suffer from gallbladder issues or take medications for high blood pressure. Too much ginger may lead to gas, heartburn and diarrhea in certain individuals.

Ginger has shown moderate to large effects in studies related to blood pressure, weight management, dysmenorrhea, postoperative nausea and chemotherapy-induced vomiting outcomes; however there was low to moderate confidence in these findings (GRADE level: low to moderate). Glycemic control may have seen some moderate but very uncertain or inconclusive improvement from using the intervention, while there was no clear or consistent evidence for a benefit or harm in other outcomes such as platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2 production, bleeding time or blood lipid profiles. Studies conducted on cognitive functioning and mental health showed a positive outcome. Studies concluded that adding ginger to one’s diet could enhance brain functioning and concentration while also stimulating serotonin and dopamine production to ease anxiety symptoms.

Honey

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are delectable fleshy fungi consumed as food by many cultures around the globe. In Europe, oyster mushrooms were traditionally harvested from wild sources for use as culinary staples; modern technology now allows cultivation on an industrial scale in greater volumes.

Mushrooms are also widely revered for their wide-ranging health benefits, which stem from a number of natural compounds which contain anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects; this may be attributable to high levels of beta-D-glucans – a type of polysaccharide which acts as an immune booster.

Oyster mushrooms contain many other bioactive compounds besides beta-D-glucans. This includes lovastatin, pyromones and sulfated polysaccharides; studies have demonstrated their anti-obesity, digestive and immunomodulating properties; plus Pleuran is known to enhance immune response and inhibit blood clot formation.

Studies have also demonstrated that supplementing diabetic patients’ diets with powdered oyster mushroom supplements can significantly enhance their glycemic status. Research indicated that these mushrooms could lower post-meal blood sugar levels by increasing cell utilization of glucose and decreasing activity of enzymes involved with sugar metabolism.

Oyster mushrooms contain many active compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties such as rutin, cinnamic acid and p-coumaric acid that have anti-ACE properties to help manage blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, oyster mushrooms contain lovastatin which has been demonstrated to prevent cholesterol synthesis.

These mushrooms possess the rare ability to breakdown lignocellulosic materials into their constituent parts, breaking complex plant substances down into simpler forms and making them invaluable in agricultural waste management and environmental cleanup – often being employed for decomposing agricultural byproducts like straw, sawdust and corn cobs.

When buying functional mushroom supplements, it is essential to read their labels closely. Substandard products often include starch, fillers and colourants which dilute concentration of essential medicinal compounds and reduce therapeutic value.