June!
Hi bes-teas! If you saw on ig stories, my lavender plant is blooming out of control and inspired me for this months tea box. Lavender is one of those herbs that has the capacity to simply make you smile. It's beautiful in color, smells amazing, and has such beneficial medicinal qualities. I hope this months box brings you peace, joy, and a fresh start to the half way point in the year.
Disclaimer: It is the policy of Blu Radical Apothecary LLC not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
June's Monthly Tea Box Loose Leaf Tea
(Lavender, Yarrow, Peppermint, Licorice, Cinnamon)
Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia):
The name lavender originates from the Latin verb "lavare," which means "to wash." This herb goes back over 2,500 years in Africa, Asia, and Middle East/Mediterranea. Lavender was popular in ancient Egypt for mummification and perfume. While it's hard to say which cultures used lavender as medicine first due to lack of documentation, we do know that there are first written traces of its medicinal uses in ancient Greece and were used for headache, indigestion, and to clean wounds. 16th century herbalists documented that lavender was good for griefs and head pain. In TCM lavender is used as a cooling herb for the heart and head. Traditional uses of lavender consisted of herbal baths, perfume, as an aphrodisiac, healing skin element, ward of disease, and for rest/relaxation. With present day studies we now know that lavender has an array of benefits and uses.
Lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Some but not all benefits include: May help improve sleep, may help to treat skin issues, may offer a natural remedy to pain, may help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, may help relieve asthma symptoms, may help aid menopausal/menstrual symptoms, is anti-fungal/anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, may help in treating hair loss, may help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia, may help increase cognitive function, may help in reducing wound scarring.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):
Yarrow is known as a protective, healing plant for centuries. Yarrow was named after Achilles, (Achillea millefolium) and was used heal wounds on the battle field. Yarrow is popular with herbalists in Europe, North America, and Asia for its ability to slow and stop the flow of blood.
Yarrow contains the alkaloid achilleine, which is an active hemostatic agent. Achilleine also promotes perspiration; this substance was prescribed into the late 1800s for fevers, especially in southern Europe. Other chemicals found in yarrow act as expectorants, providing relief from cold and flu symptoms. Yarrow's strongly fragrant foliage, rich in aromatic oils such as camphor and menthol contains substances that kill bacteria-hence its power to prevent infections-and provide local anesthesia.
Some but not all benefits include: enhance wound healing, alleviate digestive issues, help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, aids brain health, helps fight inflammation, antiseptic, anti-bacterial and astringent properties, helps ease inflammation and digestion, helps reduce fever, relieve headaches, treats ear infections and promotes healthy skin and hair, used traditionally to treat colds, flu and other respiratory conditions, helps regulate blood flow.
Pepermint (Mentha piperita L):
Peppermint is a cross between wintermint and spearmint and has a long history. Ancient Egyptian medical text dating as early as 1550 BC includes peppermint and is indigenous to the middle east and later migrated to Europe via slavery despite assumptions of its origin in Europe.
Peppermint has been used traditionally in Eastern medicine as an aromatic, antispasmodic and antiseptic in treating indigestion, nausea, sore throat, colds, toothaches, cramps and cancers.
Specialized cells produce peppermint oil in the leaves of the peppermint plant. The peppermint oil is released once the leaves are crushed or chopped. Peppermint is the most extensively used volatile oil, both commercially and medicinally.
Some but not all benefits include: Helps ease digestive issues, relieve tension headaches and migraines, freshens breath, relieve clogged sinuses, improves energy levels, help relieve menstrual cramps, beneficial against bacterial infections, improves sleeps, aids in healthy weight maintenance, improve seasonal allergies, improve concentration, caffeine free. (Groves, M. (2022).
That there is evidence-based research regarding the bioactivity of this herb. The phenolic constituents of the leaves include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. The main volatile components of the essential oil are menthol and menthone. In vitro, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential. Studies demonstrate a relaxation effect on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, analgesic and anesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system, immunomodulating actions and chemopreventive potential. (McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006).
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra):
In Chinese, licorice is called gan can, which means “sweet herb.” The earliest references to the licorice root—Glycyrrhiza glabra—date all the way back to 2300 BC, and its genesis was in China. It was said that Emperor Shennong classified more than 300 different medicinal plants, and one of the most important plants he classified was licorice. It was used traditionally for treating a variety of conditions, including lung, liver, circulatory, and kidney diseases. The ancient Egyptians used it as a pharmaceutical, and copious supplies were found in King Tut's tomb. Egyptian hieroglyphics record the use of licorice as a popular beverage among the men of the time. Manuscripts from 360 A.D. talk of licorice helping eye ailments, skin diseases, coughs, and loss of hair.The word liquorice, or licorice, is derived via the Anglo-French lycorys, from Late Latin liquiritia, itself ultimately derived from Greek γλυκύρριζα, glykyrrhiza (the Modern Greek spelling of the genus is γλυκόριζα, glykoriza) literally meaning 'sweet root' and referring to Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Some but not all benefits include: Aids in digestion, contains anti-inflammatory properties, can help in relieving stomach ulcers, sore throat and cough remedy, anti-inflammatory and immune booster, helps relieve constipation, antiviral, good for adrenals, helps with depression, good for balancing hormones in male and female, helps relieve yeast infections, treats arthritis, good for oral health, helps push pathogens out of the body, helps with thyroid conditions, fibromyalgia, and shingles.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum):
A small evergreen tree is native to Sri Lanka and a member of the Laural family. The tree grows up to 50′ tall. Plants are grown commercially for the inner bark that is used to make the spice cinnamon for cooking as well as herbal medicine.
The genus name, Cinnamomum, is derived from the Maylasian/Indonesian word kayu manis meaning sweet wood.
Volatile oil is distilled from the bark fragments for use in food, liqueur, perfume, and drugs. Cinnamon was once more valuable than gold. In Egypt it was sought for embalming and religious practices. In medieval Europe it was used for religious rites and as a flavoring. Variations: Chinese cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), Vietnamese, or Saigon, cinnamon (C. loureiroi), Indonesian cinnamon (C. burmannii), and Malabar cinnamon (C. citriodorum).
5 Benefits Of Cinnamon
1: Cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamon is scientifically known as Cinnamomum and is made from the inner bark of trees. This inner part of the tree is extracted and the woody parts removed. When the bark dries the strips roll up into cinnamon sticks.
The aroma comes from the oils in the bark which contain high compounds of cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for the beneficial effects of health and metabolism.
Cinnamaldehyde helps fight bacterial and fungal infections such as respiratory tract infections, Salmonella, helps prevent tooth decay, and reduce bad breath.
2: Antioxidant Rich
Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Loaded with antioxidants such as polyphenols, in a study between cinnamon and 26 other spices, cinnamon won, out ranking foods like garlic and oregano.
3: High Anti-inflammatory Properties
Helps your body fight infections, and repair tissue damage.
4: Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease
This spice may improve some key risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.
5: Can Improve Sensitivity To The Hormone Insulin
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is also known as Type 2 Diabetes.
Helps reduce insulin resistance helping the hormone do its job.
Aids in reducing high blood pressure.
Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels.
Aroma and Flavor
Floral & Sweet
Tasting Notes PDF HERE: Print as many as you want when you get your box in! This is also fun to do with friends & family.
GET YOUR BOX
New here? If you are on the fence about getting your box here’s what you can expect each month:
What You Get In Your Monthly Tea Box:
Small Batch Loose Leaf Tea & Seasonal Infused Honey!
Tea
Hand-crafted organic small batch loose leaf tea.
GET YOUR BOX
(Above Image: Variations of what our tea boxes may look like, small apothecary gifts may vary. Tea, honey, and reusable bags are consistent.)
16+ Delicious cups
Your monthly tea box makes 16+ fresh cups! Or 32+ cups re-steeped.
Local Infused Honey
The perfect pairing with your tea, infused with different healing ingredients to bring you different flavor profiles of honey.
FREE Shipping
Explore loose leaf tea, shipped for FREE.
More Details
Your tea will make 16+ cups or 32+ re-steeped cups. Your tea box also contains reusable muslin tea filters + healing honey + monthly herbal tea plant profile + downloadable tasting notes + steeping information.
ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS INCLUDE:
- Hand-crafted organic loose leaf herbal tea
- 1.5 oz. Jar of organic seasonally- infused honey
- Each Tea Box makes 16+ cups (32+ if you re-steep)
- Reusable and biodegradable filters
- Steeping guidelines and tasting notes
- Exclusive 15% discount on tea in the apothecary shop
- Small gifts from the apothecary - items vary, not specific
- 50% off MEMBERS ONLY portal (coming SOON!)
What Makes Our Tea Boxes Stand Out Compared To Store Bought Tea Boxes
-Loose leaf tea + combinations
-Biodegradable/Recyclable packaging
-Small Businesses Support
-Freshness
-Detailed information about specific herbs
-Customizable
-Shipped directly to you
Disclaimer: It is the policy of Blu Radical Apothecary LLC not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
Steeping Guidelines/Directions
- 205 degrees F water
- 1-2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of water.
- Steep for 5-7 minutes
- Strain.
- Enjoy!
Note: Always store herbs in a cool dry place, feel free to transfer the contents to a glass jar.
References: