Yerba Mate is a subtropical shrub or small tree grown in Argentina, eastern Paraguay, western Uruguay and southern Brazil. The plant itself requires high temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rain. The Guarani Indians were supposedly the first to use this plant and they knew, to the best of their ability, the health benefits of consuming it. What they didn’t know was the science behind what is in this drink. Below are a few of the vitamins and minerals in Yerba Mate and what those vitamins and minerals do for you.

1. B-1- Thiamin- converts blood sugar into energy. Keeps your mucous membranes healthy, is essential for your nervous system, cardiovascular system and for muscular function.

2. B-2- Riboflavin- works with the other B vitamins to process calories from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Your body needs it for growth and red blood cell production. Riboflavin promotes healthy skin and good vision.

3. A-Retinol- Good for your eyes. Keeps eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. It neutralizes free radicals in the body.

4. Carotene- Boosts the immune system. Important for eye health. Has been known to help against heart disease and even some forms of cancer.

5. B-5- Pantothenic- Is known as the “anti-stress vitamin”. Assists in boosting metabolism, helps to fight allergies, and helps maintain healthy skin, muscles and nerves. It helps release energy and is used to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

6. Inositol- this vitamin is needed for health from a cellular level especially in the eyes and heart. It may help reduce cholesterol levels, control hormone levels, and aid in the growth of hair.

7. 15 Amino Acids- The building blocks of proteins.

8. Potassium- It is important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Sufficient amounts of this mineral reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stroke, increases muscular function, and helps soothe feelings of stress and anxiety.

9. Magnesium- Helps the body absorb calcium and plays a key role in strengthening bones and teeth. It stabilizes the hearts rhythm and prevents abnormal clotting in the heart. It lowers the chance of heart attacks and strokes and in some cases can help aid in the recovery of a heart attack or stroke. Maintains muscle function and helps with fatigue especially for fibromyalgia patients.

10. Manganese- Aids in the formation of connective tissue, bones, blood clotting abilities, sex hormones, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, calcium absorption and the regulation of blood sugar. Low levels of this mineral have been linked to infertility, weakness and seizures.

12. Iron- This is needed to produce red blood cells and red blood cells carry oxygen to all of the cells in your body. It is also needed to produce all of the “feel good” neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

AND SO ON………………………….. So one can deduce by the power of association that since Yerba Mate contains these vitamins and minerals, it can also aid your body as they do.

Yerba Mate contains mateine, a form of caffeine and the center of the big debate between SA and NA. Speaking from my own experience and from the feedback I get from my clients, I agree with the researchers from SA. When I drink mate, I find my energy increase and the ride on this rush NEVER hits a wall as with coffee. I have never gotten the shakes from the mateine and it doesn’t upset my stomach. Anyone who uses this miracle drink LOVES it!

Yerba Mate has a vegatative/herbal taste when it is not roasted. It brews into a beautiful green color and can be consumed hot or cold. In SA, where this is the drink of choice, it is consumed through metal straws with screens on the end called Bombilla’s out of hollowed out gourds. Yerba Mate can be roasted and/or flavored in a variety of ways.

I promise in the next few years, you will hear more about this phenomenal drink and how it is one way to help reverse the damage on your body. Why not beat the rush and start consuming this miracle now!

Much has been written about Green Tea in the last ten years or so, including its connection to helping with arthritis.  Several studies have shown a significant decrease in the onset of arthritis in those who consume green teas and also in the reduction of pain in the joints in those who already have arthritis.  These studies have found the following:

• ECGC or Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is a polyphenol found in green tea, seems to be the key proponent in joint pain reduction.
• Those with a predisposition to arthritis, if consuming green tea daily, are less likely to either get the disease or if they do get arthritis, have significantly less pain.
• ECGC seems to block the inflammatory chemical reaction that causes joint pain, inflammation and damage.

While I do not think green tea is the cure all for arthritis or any other disorder, I do think if you have arthritis or other joint pain, green tea is worth a try.

A Few Notes from The Tea Lady

• First, upon doing additional research I did find a blogger who insists that drinking Green Tea actually caused her joint pain.  While I am not convinced it is the culprit, I do acknowledge everyone has a unique reaction to any medicine.  And yes, tea is medicine.  Lesson: Give it a try but know it may not work for you.
• Second, I reached out to my friend, who is 35 years old and already has the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis thanks to her gene pool.  She claims drinking green tea sometimes helps but weather is more of a factor in how her joints feel.  She does not drink green tea every day, nor in the amounts said to be theraputic (4 cups per day).  Lesson: if you are going to try this remedy, you need to be all in.
• Third, as I have always told anyone who asks, I do not believe in consuming “only the good parts” of an herbal remedy.  Herbs grow as they do because that is how their maker has intended for them to be used.  As such, I found a study which stated taking just supplements of ECGC can cause liver toxicity.  WELL DUH!  Isolating out just a part of a plant, leaves Mother Natures checks and balances off kilter.  Lesson: Drink the tea, cook with it, pulse it to a powder and make smoothies with it.  DO NOT TAKE AN EXTRACT!
• Lastly, there are many different types of Green Tea.  The flavor profile of these teas is immense.  Everything from smooth with a bitter ending to fruity to florally to grassy.   Lesson: If you try one and it doesn’t agree with you, try another and another and another until you find one you like.  

“GREEN TEA FOR ARTHRITIS

Four to six cups of green tea throughout the day may be helpful in keeping arthritis and other chronic diseases at bay.  “Globally, green tea has been studied for different ailments- Cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and more- and the results have been impressive,” says Salah-Uddin Ahmen, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Toledo.  “We have found in experimental systems and animal models that components in green tea can inhibit certain proteins that cause disease, especially arthritis,” he says, adding that clinical trials are needed to determine if green tea and its components have similar benefits in humans.”

Copied from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine- January 2010- page 128.

BEE WELL.  DRINK TUPELO HONEY TEAS.

THE TEA LADY

Yesterday escaped us here at Tupelo Honey Teas, so today is double punch Monday.   Two deals on one day!

BOGO ON CHAI AND FREE SHIPPING!

Buy one Chai get the second one free and free shipping on all orders!

We will double any Chai you purchase, unless otherwise noted.  If you would like to get a different kind of chai for your get one, please add the type of tea in the notes to seller section of paypal.

Available for the BOGO:

• Tupelo Honey Chai
• Coconut Chai
• Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Spice
• Turkish Apple
• Chocolate Chai Pu-erh
• Pu-erh Vanilla Mint

Today’s deal is BUY ONE GET ONE on Black Tea!   Black Tea gets a bad rap, but it has been shown to decrease your chance of heart attack amongst other things.  Enjoy a cup!

We will double what ever is in your cart unless you leave us a note requesting a different black tea.  Notes can be added in the paypal portion of the check out process!

Happy Holidays!

The Tea Lady

Today Jenn’s Jems is offering our customers 10% off of their jewelry.  They have a variety of earrings, bracelets and necklaces in so many styles, including tea related jewelry!

Just go to www.jennsjemsjewelry.etsy.com

Then use the code “thanks10″

As an added gift, Tupelo Honey Teas will be adding a $5.00 gift card to use on our website with each purchase.   What woman wouldn’t love jewelry and a gift card to use on any tea they want!

Happy Holidays

The Tea Lady

Today marks the halfway point in our 12 Days of Giving Extravaganza.  I hope you all have been enjoying the deals.

One of the teas that reminds me of the holiday season is our Market Spice Tea.  Market Spice was created at Pikes Place Market in Seattle.  I have fond memories of visiting my aunt, going to Pikes Place and getting some of this tea.  Before I was The Tea Lady, my aunt would ship me in boxes of it.  It honestly is one of my favorite all time teas.

The taste is of heavy cinnamon, cloves, and orange.  It tastes sweet but does not have any sweeteners or sugar in it.  When it brews up, your entire house, office or where ever you are will smell like the holiday season.

TODAY’S DEAL

BOGO on Market Spice!

We offer this in three types:

• Black Tea
• Green Tea
• Rooibos Tea (Naturally Caffeine Free)

Happy Holidays

VISIT US TONIGHT AT 7PM AT THE HAMPTON LIBRARY FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING, SANTA AND MORE!

Today we are highlighting our Green Teas.  Green Teas have been shown to help with:

• Arthritis
• Cancer prevention
• Heart Disease prevention
• Lowering Cholesterol
• Preventing Diabetes
• Burning of fat for weight loss
• Stroke prevention
• Dementia prevention

and many more!

One of the coolest things I learned about Green Tea over the years is that it actually helps with cavity prevention.  So drink a big cup of it post meals!

Today’s Deal is Buy One Get One! 

Pick up a some Green Tea for someone you love and get one for yourself (You should love yourself too!)

Unless otherwise noted, we will double your order.  So if you buy Gunpowder Green, we’ll send you two of them.  If you would like another tea instead, when you are prompted to Paypal, there will be a section for notes to seller, please indicate your selection there.

Happy Holidays!

The Tea Lady

P.S. Due to our error, this deal is paired with the free shipping deal from yesterday!  Today is the day to save some moolah!

We’re a little bit late with today’s announcement, so we will be running this deal through tomorrow night along with tomorrow’s deal.  

Strike while the iron is hot!

Free Shipping for orders of $30 or more (currently our threshold is $50).

Use code: SHIPDEC

Happy Holidays!

The Tea Lady

Today is Rooibos Day!

Rooibos is a naturally decaffeinated tea that grows in South Africa.  In the states it has been dubbed “Red Tea”, however, the true Red Tea comes from China.  Rooibos said (Roy-Boss), has two different varieties, Red and Green.  Green Rooibos has been picked from the plant and dried whereas the Red Rooibos has been picked, oxidized and then dried.  Even though they both come from the same plant, the taste is very different.  The Green is slightly earthy while the Red is slightly sweet.  Both contain numerous antioxidants, trace minerals and tannins.  Because of the last, those who have to be caffeine free and miss the taste of tea, tend to enjoy this tea!

TODAY’S DEAL:

Buy One Get One of the same type of Rooibos!

Any Rooibos tea in your cart will automatically be doubled!

Examples are

1. if you buy 2 blueberry rooibos you will receive 4 blueberry rooibos!
2. If you buy one Market Spice Rooibos, one Green Rooibos and a Gunpowder Green Tea, you will receive two Market Spice Rooibos, two Green Rooibos and one Gunpowder Green tea!

Stock up for those caffeine free people on your list!

Happy Holidays!

The Tea Lady

P.S. Rooibos is a good tea for kids, especially the fruity ones!

GIFT VOUCHERS AT 50% OFF!

Do you know a person on your list likes tea but do not have the foggiest idea what kind?  How about a gift voucher to Tupelo Honey Teas for them to use whenever and how ever they would like?!?!

For this gift, simply

1. email danielle@tupelohoneyteas.com with how much you would like to spend
2. Include the email to which a paypal request can be sent
3. Indicate what kind of card you wish to have, ie Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Snowman, etc.

You will receive a paypal request within a few days.  Once paid you will get a hand made card in the mail, ready to gift, with a code on it for double the amount you paid!  It is that simple!

Happy Holidays!

Love

The Tea Lady