Tea

tiː/(noun): A hot drink made by infusing the dried crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water.

The idea of making a ‘Tea’ has been known to man since ancient times. Boiling leaves, root, bark, flowers of plants in order to draw out the excipients has been practiced by Shamans and Plant Medicine Doctors in India, Egypt, South America and the Native Americans. Plants contain Phytochemicals of different varieties including Alkeloids, Tannins, Catechamines, Polyphenols, etc.

ALL Plants contain Phytochemicals (Plant molecules) …and these are ‘extracted’ by various processes such as steeping, decantation, drying, etc… Different plant molecules have different effects on our (human) biochemistry… For eg. Ginsenocides (Present in Ginseng) act on the neural systems, creating better synapses in the brain. Withanisomniferons (Found in Ashwagandha, or winter Cherry) have Anti – angiogenic properties, that help with heart health.

Similarly, the herb Yerba Matte, a commonly brewed Tea drink in South America contains amongst other things, Theobromine… the ‘feel good’ molecule that is in Chocolate. Theobromine impinges Dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter that causes us to feel happiness. Hence, drinking a Yerba Matte Tea enhances mood.

The most commonly known plant chemical is ‘Caffiene’ That is in regular Black Tea, and also in smaller amounts in Green Tea.

Other important things that are in Green Tea are Polyphenols and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is quite a potent antioxidant, about a 100 times more efficient in clearing free radicals as Vitamin C. Green Tea contains the highest amount of EGCG, and also several other Polyphenols that also have anti Oxidant properties. Normally Green Tea Leaves could contain anywhere between 2-10% Polyphenols.

“Polyphenols contained in teas are mainly classified as catechins. Green tea contains six primary catechin compounds: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is the most studied polyphenol component in green tea and the most active”.

Synerveda Teas:

Energy Tea:

Contains Green Tea Extract, which is concentrated to about 20% Polyphenols.

Also higher amount of caffeine than in regular green tea, essentially because the purpose of this tea is to energize.
Additionally, Synerveda Energy Tea also contains other herbs with a whole slew of phytochemicals that have other biochemical reactions on the body.

Ephedra, an extract of the Ma Huang plant increases metabolism and heart rate.

Ginseng improves circulation, balances Cardiac activity as well as helps improve mental focus. Bramhi (Baccopa Monerei) is a Nootropic Herb, used in Ayurveda to improve cognitive function. Alkeloids and catechamins of the Bramhi flower aide in improving memory and sharpens the mind. Vasaka, or Malabar Nut is also an Ayurvedic herb that works on the respirative Pathway, enhancing Breathing activity. Also, due to improved breathing, one inhales more oxygen. Inhaling more oxygen sends more oxygen to the Brain making you more alert, focused and Active.

Yerba Matte has a similar profile as Green tea, with a higher concentration of Cafffiene and other stimulating phytochemicals. Additionally, Yerba Matte also contains pretty high levels of Theobromine and Thrombonin that increase Dopamine production and thus improves mood. A more Positive mind makes a more Active and productive person.

Weight Loss Tea:

Weight Loss tea contains a higher concentration of Green Tea Extract, with about 50% Polyphenols. This really cranks up the Anti- Oxidant effect, and thus enhances Fat Burn by that much more than regular Green Tea Leaves.

Additionally, Weight Loss Tea also contains:

Garcinia Cambogia – The MVP of Garcina Cambogia is HCA (HydroCitric Acid). HCA stops the fat-making process in your body by inhibiting a key enzyme called citrate lyase that your body needs to make fat from carbohydrates.

Ephedra – Ephedra improves Heart rate, drastically increasing Metabolic Rate and makes the body use up Calories faster. It may also act as an Appetite suppressant.

Sida Cardifolia – This Herb is known to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) to increase heart rate and blood pressure, therefore increasing metabolic rate.

White Willow Bark extract contains salicylic acid that helps with Weight Loss and Detoxification due to its Analgesic Action.

Vasaka – An Ayurvedic Herb that enhances breathing, this reducing Oxidative stress and improves breathing thus enhancing Fat Burning Activity.

Detoxy Tea:

This blend is made of Whole Herbs and Roots (Instead of Extracts) that naturally enhance the body’s detoxification process.

Why is Green Tea Considered a Detox Tea ?

– Green tea is an excellent source of nutrients and antioxidants that have potent effects on the body.

Antioxidants aid at cleansing the body of free radicals that damage healthy cells. Green tea has been observed to have the ability to speed up fat oxidation and increase metabolic rate. While it won’t directly detoxify the body, it plays a role in ensuring the process is efficient.

The more effective agents of detoxification are:

Burdock – This root is used extensively in Japanese medicine, and is commonly used as a cure for Hepatatis. It helps flush the Liver of Toxins thus effectively also strengthening and improving Liver Function.

Yasthimadhu (Black Liquorice) – Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, which helps repair damage to the liver, and also expeliorates congestion and accumulated toxins in Lungs.

Calendula – Calendula helps in detoxifying and strengthening the Liver and gall bladder. It is used in ancient medicines as a remedy for several skin and digestive ailments, as it helps clear the skin mucosa of debris and aides the body in eliminating toxins, both from the digestive as well as vascular systems.

Green Tea by itself does improve anti-oxidative processes and helps as a diuretic, but Synerveda’s Detoxy Tea is a blend of herbs and roots that each act specifically on various aspects of the Detoxification system, including the Liver, Kidneys, Skin and also cleanses Blood. Thus helping also with complexion and clearer skin.

Relaxie Tea:

The objective of ‘Relaxie Tea is to help reduce stress, and create a calm and soothing effect. Green Tea does not create such effects and hence is redundant to use in ths Blend. Relaxie Tea contains calming herbs such as Chamomile, Passion Flower, Aloe Weed etc that relax the mind, reduce stress and also promote restful sleep and regulate sleep cycle. Adding a Tea with Caffeine would actually be counter productive to the effects of this Blend.

Breatheezy Tea:

The objective of this Tea is to enhance breathing, Open up resperative pathways and clear congestion in lungs. Green Tea does not contain or produce any of these effects and hence is not included in this blend.