Our Organic Teas

 

Due to the highly volatile market (influenced by weather, disasters, etc.), prices for teas & herbs can fluctuate dramatically.  We will never substitute a product of lesser quality to keep the price down when our cost of organic teas & herbs increase.

 

We guarantee that we will always offer the highest quality products at the most reasonable prices we can provide.

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Click here to see our wonderful teas, herbs, and accessories!

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What exactly is tea?

Tea is the dried and processed leaves of a species of plant called Camellia sinensis. The infusion of these leaves in hot water is what makes up tea. Most of the herbal teas on the market are not really teas at all but are infusions made with flowers, herbs, roots, spices or other parts of some plants. 

There are four main types of ‘real’ tea. 

• White

• Green

• Oolong

• Black 

 

The differences between these teas are in the harvesting and the drying process. The darker the tea, the more processing it has undergone - this strips away some of the beneficial nutrients. 

White Tea

This is the rarest type of tea, as it is made from the young leaves that are picked before the buds have fully opened - it is very time consuming to harvest. Only small quantities are yielded, therefore it is more expensive to buy. White tea undergoes minimal processing, as it is simply steamed and dried, keeping it close to its natural state. 

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• Builds up the immune system in the fight against viral and bacterial infections (healing and protective properties).

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• Helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.

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• Helps to fight and kill cancer cells. 

 

Green Tea

Due to the health benefits associated with green tea it has become a very popular drink worldwide. Green tea is a milder type of tea and is made from only the leaf bud and the top two leaves. The leaves are simply withered and then roasted or dried; they are not fermented like black tea, so it does not become oxidized. This process helps to preserve the leaves without destroying the beneficial compounds in the plant.   Chai tea is a popular green tea from India that consists of loose-leaf tea, milk and ground spices including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, grated nutmeg, and pepper. 

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• Boost immunity. The polyphenols and flavonoids found in green tea help your body stay strong and fight against infections.

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• Thwart cardiovascular disease. Green tea helps prevent build-up in arteries and blocks the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LCL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).

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• Guard against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Green tea may help protect brain cells from deteriorating and restore damaged cells.

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• Keep asthma in check. Green tea can help reduce the severity of asthma. It contains theophyline which acts as a relaxer for the muscles that support the bronchial tubes.

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• Reduce tooth decay. The antioxidant “catechin,” found in green tea, has been linked to the destruction of bacteria and viruses that cause various dental conditions and throat infections.

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• Lower blood pressure. Green tea has been found to repress angiotensin, which spikes blood pressure levels.

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• Fight ovarian cancer. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate or EDCD, a potent antioxidant that has been observed to suppress the growth of ovarian cancer cells and stimulate apoptosis (cell suicide).

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• Reduce the risk of colon cancer. Numerous studies have concluded that green tea helps halt colon cancer cell growth and regular green tea drinkers are 50 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer.

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• Promote longevity. Polyphenols, which are green tea’s primary antioxidant, fight against free radicals which helps your body fight against aging.

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• Kick breast cancer. Green tea has been found to inhibit cancer cell metabolism in breast tumors.

 

 

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese type of tea, somewhere in between green and black in oxidation. The leaves for oolong tea undergo a moderate fermentation process where they are withered, partially fermented and then dried.

 

• Anti-oxidant properties.

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• Can reduce the risk of high blood pressure. 

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• Increases metabolism

Black Tea

Black tea is the most popular variety of tea. The leaves undergo a complex fermentation process to change the color of the leaf from green to copper, which causes a reduction of the teas antioxidant content. The leaves are fully oxidized and dried. Black tea is more oxidized than the green, oolong and white varieties and is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine.

 

• Relaxes and expands arteries, thus increasing blood flow to the heart and decreasing your chances of a heart attack or stroke.

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• May have cancer inhibiting powers.

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• May increase your immunity to the flu virus.

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• Prevents dental cavities. 

 

Rooibos Tea is most commonly referred to as red tea, and does not actually come from a tea plant, but from a red bush in South Africa and is considered an herbal tea. Rooibos is reminiscent of the taste of green tea, but is less bitter.

Herbal Tea is a hot water drink infused with herbs that have medicinal properties and do not contain caffeine.

Why is tea good for you?

Of all plants, tea leaves have one of the highest contents of flavonoids (15% of the leaf by dry weight). Flavonoids are a group of compounds with antioxidant activity. Antioxidants protect against the damage caused by excess free radicals. Free radicals are a damaging, physiological process that works against the immune system and is also responsible for aging. Antioxidants help our body eliminate these harmful free radicals. 

Flavonoids have anti-cancer properties and can act as a potential cancer preventative compound. Also these flavonoids may help in the treatment of cancer especially green tea. 

Each of the four categories of tea contain similar amounts of flavonoids, however they differ in chemical structure. Green and white tea contain a simple flavonoids called catechins, whereas Oolong and black tea undergo oxidation and convert these simple flavonoids to more complex varieties called theaflavins and thearubigins. 

NOTE: All teas produced from the Camellia sinensis plant contain caffeine. Black tea contains the highest amount (about one-third that of coffee), then oolong, green and white tea (contains about one six of caffeine in coffee)
 

The Many Benefits of Tea

Medical research is finding the healing benefits of tea. It is suggested that it may help to prevent everything from tooth cavities to Parkinson's disease. Tea also contains antioxidants and trace amounts of various nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium and the vitamins A, C, E and K. In general, consumption of tea may prevent or improve conditions such as:

 

• Arthritis - For older women who drink tea, research suggests that there is a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

 

• Bone Density - Drinking tea regularly may produce stronger bones.

 

• Reduces the risk of heart disease.

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• Helps fight cataracts - Research suggests that the antioxidant in tea may actually help fight cataract - one of the primary causes of blindness globally. 

 

To fully reap these benefits and others, scientists suggest drinking green tea regularly, citing three cups a day as the optimal amount. While there are many drinks that now contain green tea, it’s best to consume it the way people have for years — fresh and steeped in hot water — if you want the real benefits. Recently, it has been recommended to avoid drinking green tea while eating as it can hinder nutrient absorption from other foods. Drink at leisure, but use your best judgment.

 

What about Herbal Teas?

Herbal teas are not actually teas. They are referred to as infusions or tisanes, and are a simple and effective way of extracting the goodness and flavor from the aerial parts of herbs. Tisanes can be made with fresh or dried leaves, soft stems, flowers, seeds or roots. 

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Often herbal teas are consumed for their physical or medicinal effects, especially as a stimulant, relaxant or sedative. Also they can contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 

 

It is recommended that before you consume any amount of herbal tea you do a "taste test" to ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction to a particular herbal tea.

 

Caution - Some herbs are known to react with medication and are not recommended during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor before drinking herbal teas. 

Drinking three to four cups of tea is recommended and can be beneficial for your health. It replaces fluids and contains many antioxidants. So next time you’re thirsty, remember the benefits of pouring yourself a good cup of tea!!

 

Certified organic tea is free of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Synthetic pesticides are known to pose significant, acknowledged health risks to people—including birth defects, damage to the nervous system; disruption of hormones and endocrine systems; respiratory disorders; skin and eye irritations; and various types of cancers. Herbicides have also been associated with certain cancers and Parkinson’s disease.

 

You won't find a better tasting tea...

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At The Shaman Shoppe, all our loose leaf teas and herbs are certified organic in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program. Teas that are not certified organic are often air dried without rinsing, meaning that synthetic chemicals are dried on the leaf, and may end up in your cup. This can affect the quality of the tea and pose potential health risks.

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In addition, synthetic chemicals are designed to stimulate production. While these methods may increase the yield of a crop, there is a cost to quality. An organic tea grower uses more natural processes to create a sustainable yield. These practices are reflected in the flavor of the tea, and a better nutritional content.

In 2012, a major study by Greenpeace found that the pesticide levels in Chinese teas are often very unhealthy. Similarly, another study found that regularly drinking pesticide-contaminated tea does more harm than good and can actually decrease (rather than increase) lifespan.

 

As reported in the Journal, organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants, including flavonoids, than non-organic. Likewise, the study revealed higher levels of Cadmium (a heavy metal) and pesticides in the non-organic produce.  

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A VERY SPECIAL Medicinal Tea - Essiac Tea:

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Essiac Tea’s primary actions are to remove heavy metals, detoxify the body, restore energy levels, and rebuild the immune system. After this occurs, the body is restored to a level to where it is able to better defeat an illness or disease state using its own resources.

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Taking only 2 to 4 tablespoons daily, Essiac Tea...

1. Prevents the buildup of excess fatty deposits in artery walls, heart, kidney and liver.

2. Regulates cholesterol levels by transforming sugar and fat into energy.

3. Destroys parasites in the digestive system and throughout the body.

4. Counteracts the effects of aluminum, lead and mercury poisoning.

5. Strengthens and improves the functioning of muscles, organs and tissues.

6. Makes bones, joints, ligaments, lungs, and membranes strong and flexible, and less vulnerable to stress or stress injuries.

7. Nourishes and stimulates the brain and nervous system.

8. Promotes the absorption of fluids in the tissues.

9. Removes toxic accumulations in the fat, lymph, bone marrow, bladder, and alimentary canals.

10. Neutralizes acids, absorbs toxins in the bowel, and eliminates both.

11. Clears the respiratory channels by dissolving and expelling mucus.

12. Relieves the liver of its burden of detoxification by converting fatty toxins into water-soluble substances that can then be easily eliminated through the kidneys.

13. Assists the liver to produce lecithin, which forms part of the myelin sheath, a white fatty material that encloses nerve fibers.

14. Reduces, heavy metal deposits in tissues (especially those surrounding the joints) to reduce inflammation and stiffness.

15. Improves the functions of the pancreas and spleen by increasing the effectiveness of insulin.

16. Purifies the blood.

17. Increases red cell production, and keeps them from rupturing.

18. Increases the body's ability to utilize oxygen by raising the oxygen level in the tissue cells.

19. Maintains the balance between potassium and sodium within the body so that the fluid inside and outside each cell is regulated; in this way, cells are nourished with nutrients and are also cleansed properly.

20. Converts calcium and potassium oxalates into a harmless form by making them solvent in the urine. Regulates the amount of oxalic acid delivered to the kidneys, thus reducing the risk of stone formation in the gall bladder, kidneys, or urinary tract.

21. Protects against toxins entering the brain.

22. Protects the body against radiation and X-rays.

23. Relieves pain.

24. Speeds up wound healing by regenerating the damaged area.

25. Increases the production of antibodies like lymphocytes and T-cells in the thymus gland, which is the defender of our immune system.

26. Protects the cells against free radicals.

27. Increases the appetite for healthful foods.

28. Decreases sugar cravings due to better blood sugar control.

29. Increases energy available.

30. Boosts mood and leads to an improved sense of well-being.